IT/Dev Connections 2016 Speaker Highlight: Matthew Teegarden

Part of an ongoing series, we're highlighting the excellent speakers we have handpicked to present phenomenal and extremely valuable content at the IT/Dev Connections conference. Want more? Get the Insider’s Scoop About IT/Dev Connections 2016 on September 8!

This speaker highlight is Matthew Teegarden.

Matthew's IT/Dev Connection sessions:

·       SCCM Site Backup and Disaster Recovery Guidelines

·       Microsoft Active Directory Certificate Services and System Center Configuration Manager Internet Based Client Management

Recently, we asked Matthew to give us a little information about himself. Here's what he shared:

ITDC: Give us a brief introduction to you.

Matthew: I have worked in assisting organizations to improve productivity, services and processes within the System Center suite. I am a board member of the MN System Center Users Group and have worked as a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) for over ten years teaching SCCM 2012 R2, SQL 2012 Administration, SharePoint 2013 Administration, SCOM, SCSM, SCORCH, PowerShell and T-SQL. You can find me at:  @TheEmptyGarden

I enjoy going to concerts and have recently seen LCD Soundsystem at Red Rocks, Pearl Jam at Wrigley Field, U2, The Rolling Stones, and went to my 25th Dave Matthews Band concert this year!   I am a huge Beatles fan and have a ton of memorabilia from them. 

I've been married to my wife Jen for 14 years.  We adopted a little girl about 7 years ago when she was 2.  Her name is Alexis Plinko and most people who have taken classes from me or attended one of my sessions know her well!

ITDC: Describe the sessions you are presenting and why you feel the topic is important.

Matthew: Session 1:  SCCM Site Backup and Disaster Recovery Guidelines  - Backup strategies seem more lecture based and thin.  Basically the documentation states that you can use SCCM's backup or a SQL backup.  But, doesn't go into much detail.  In this session we will discuss how confident the attendees are in their SCCM backup solution.  We will then discuss the various options for backing up and restoring using SCCM.  We will then move onto SQL backups and discuss the benefits of using that strategy.  At the end we will verify the backup and restore it. 

Session 2:  Microsoft Active Directory Certificate Services and System Center Configuration Manager Internet Based Client Management - At Lifetouch - where I work - and remember we don't take pictures, we capture memories! - I was tasked with setting up an internal PKI.  The documentation on this isn't that great.  Attendees will learn first and foremost that certificates are not scary!  We will build a two tier PKI environment and I will lecture about all the steps as we go.  We will learn how to create a OSCP for CRL verification as well as set up a NDES server so that SCCM can distribute certs.  Basically, attend this session, walk away with the documentation, and set up your own PKI with confidence.  This will be a fast paced session as we have a lot to get through. 

ITDC: What should attendees expect to be able to take away from your sessions?

Matthew: Session 1:  SCCM Site Backup and Disaster Recovery Guidelines - Attendees will walk away from this session with knowledge of all the various ways to backup, verify, and restore the SCCM site server. 

Session 2:  Microsoft Active Directory Certificate Services and System Center Configuration Manager Internet Based Client Management -  Attendees will walk away with a step by step document on how to implement a PKI.

ITDC: What is your primary reason to be excited about IT/Dev Connections?

Matthew: Like MMS, IT / DEV Connections is not your typical conference.  There are a ton of great speakers and great content.  Plus, Vegas!

ITDC: What is the one key technology you believe is changing the technology industry right now?

Matthew: Cloud services.  I am not too familiar with Azure or AWS, but I understand those are the biggest players.  That and [Something] As A Service which in my opinion is pretty slick.  I guess DEVOPS is getting bigger, but like ITIL it is just a buzz word unless people products and technology is willing to change and move forward.

ITDC: Assuming attendees want to know, what’s your favorite, non-technical hobby or pastime? What’s one thing that totally irks you.

Matthew: Irks me?  People!!  Ha!  My big pet peeve at work is lack of communication.  responding to an email isn't that hard.  Outside of work the thing that bugs me is the media and the lack of true journalism.  They seem to only want sensationalism and want their viewers to take sides.  That type of thinking doesn't really produce good conversation.

Favorite stuff:  I like to hike.  Here in MN there are a ton of State Parks that offer a variety of different settings (forest, prairie, rocky shores, etc)   We travel to Chicago about once a year.  Great city.  Denver is another one of our hotspots.  I've been to Vegas practically once a year for the past 16 years!  (Mostly for conferences).  We have seen all the Cirque shows there and I was even brought on stage at Zumanity!  I have a very extensive music collection and enjoy listening to vinyl whenever I can!

IT/Dev Connections runs from October 10 – October 13, at the ARIA Resort in Las Vegas. IT/Dev Connections has been designed specifically for IT, DevOps, and Developers. You can read all about what IT/Dev Connections offers you HERE.

And, there's still time to register!  Here's some important resources to check out:

Registration

Topic Tracks

Full Sessions Catalog

Pre-conference Workshops

Travel and Lodging Information

FAQ