As the final days of 2024 approach, I find myself contemplating a year that has been nothing short of extraordinary—a tapestry woven with personal challenges, professional transformations, and profound moments of connection.
Personal Resilience: A Year of Family and Love
The Garage Project: Building More Than Just Walls
What began as a modest idea to construct a garage next to our house transformed into a profound family journey. Together with my father and brothers, we embarked on a comprehensive project that became much more than mere construction.
We meticulously:
- Demolished the old fence
- Cleared the complete driveway
- Created a precise concrete foundation
- Constructed the garage from the ground up
But the project quickly evolved beyond its original scope. We remodeled both gardens, creating an inviting outdoor space that became the heart of our summer gatherings. Late-summer pool and grill parties with our girls became cherished memories, symbolizing the joy of family collaboration.
Confronting Life’s Challenges: My Father’s Journey
March brought a profound challenge when my father was diagnosed with cancer across multiple body parts. The initial prognosis was sobering—just six months to live. Instead of succumbing to despair, our family chose to create meaningful memories:
- A professional family photo shoot captured our love
- We enjoyed a shared vacation on our favorite island
- We celebrated my parents’ remarkable 55th wedding anniversary on December 5th
Remarkably, my father’s treatments have been successful. His resilience and our collective hope allowed us to continue planning new memories together—a testament to the power of love and medical innovation.
Looking ahead to Swim to Fight Cancer Achterhoek 2025, I am filled with anticipation and excitement. Scheduled for September 14, 2025, this event promises to bring together the community in a powerful display of solidarity and support for cancer research. Following the success of previous editions, including the traditional Nieuwjaarsduik at Recreatieplas Stroombroek on January 1, 2025, the momentum is building as participants prepare to dive into the water for a cause that touches many lives. The event not only raises vital funds but also fosters a sense of unity among participants, families, and supporters. As we gear up for this inspiring day, I look forward to seeing familiar faces and new participants join us in this meaningful fight against cancer, making waves of change together in the beautiful Achterhoek region.
Professional Landscape: Navigating Technological Transformations
Broadcom’s VMware Ecosystem: Adapting to New Winds
2024 began with significant challenges as Broadcom reshaped the VMware ecosystem. At ITQ, we learned to navigate these changes strategically. A personal highlight was participating in developing the first VCP-VCF certification exam, contributing to the professional development of cloud administrators.
Diverse Professional Projects
My professional journey this year encompassed varied and exciting projects:
Gemeente Enschede
- Focused on training administrators on VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF)
- Helped teams develop critical hybrid cloud management skills
Het CAK
- Creating feasibility studies for datacenter continuation.
- Aligned business needs with technological capabilities
- Enhanced organizational flexibility and collaboration
Eurofiber
- Collaborated on creating a sophisticated shared storage platform
- Leveraged NetApp ONTAP for robust, multi-protocol data management
- Demonstrated the power of innovative infrastructure solutions
I want to thank the teams at the customer greatly for all joint ventures. Together we shared hard but fun work moments.
Community Engagement: NetApp and VMware
A significant milestone was my personal invitation to NetApp Insight 2024 as a NetApp A-Team ambassador. This opportunity allowed deep engagement with industry innovations and networking with technology leaders. Although the jet lag after the conference led to the first time I overslept at a company weekend, it was a fantastic experience with the A-Team members (especially our program manager Sam Moulton) and the Dutch Delegation.
Unfortunately, policy constraints prevented my attendance at VMware Explore Europe, where I was scheduled to deliver a community session—a missed opportunity that underscored the delicate balance between organizational policies and professional aspirations.
I’m very happy that this year was still filled with many highlights thanks to the VMware vExpert program. A personal thank you to Corey Romero for the conversations we had on chat and the possibilities he gave me.
Organizational Dynamics: Workers Council Insights
As a Workers Council member, 2024 presented unique challenges with the acquisition of CAM IT Solutions. Our team worked diligently to:
- Harmonize labor conditions
- Facilitate smooth organizational integration
- Maintain transparent communication
- Ensure employee well-being during transition
Looking toward 2025, I’m contemplating whether to stand for reelection—a decision requiring careful reflection on time commitments and potential impact. Being member or even deputy chairman the last months gave much responsibility and reward and I want to thank our CEO, Robert Hellings, HR manager, Ilona Dinkgreve and my fellow-members with for their conversation, discussions and support.
Lessons Learned: Reflections on 2024
- Adaptability is Crucial: Whether in personal projects or professional challenges, flexibility determines success.
- Family and Connection Matter Most: Our garage project and my father’s health journey reinforced that human connections transcend professional achievements.
- Continuous Learning is Essential: Engaging in diverse projects and community initiatives drives personal and professional growth.
- Embrace Uncertainty: Sometimes, taking things slowly yields more meaningful results than pushing full throttle.
Conclusion: Looking Forward
As 2024 concludes, I am filled with gratitude. This year has been a complex journey of professional challenges, personal growth, and profound family experiences. While not all professional goals were achieved, the lessons learned and memories created are invaluable.
Here’s to 2025—may it bring continued growth, meaningful connections, and opportunities to make a difference both professionally and personally!
Dive Virtual 
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