There’s a scene in the movie 300 where Leonidas turns to his allies and asks, “What is your profession?” The Spartans’ response is deafening—focused, unified, and unwavering. That scene reminds me of the kind of community we’re building with VMware {code}: not just a crowd, but a group of people who are in it together—learning, building, and pushing each other forward.
VMware {code} has always been about more than just automation, scripts, or hackathons. It’s about people—people like this year’s VMware {code} Coaches—who thrive in solving real-world problems, who get excited about learning something new, and who are willing to bring others along for the journey.
As we roll into 2025, I’m thrilled to recognize this core team of leaders who embody the heart of VMware {code}. These Coaches aren’t just participants—they’re teachers, collaborators, and innovators. From presenting at VMware Explore to leading hackathons and mentoring others, these individuals are shaping the future of our community.
Shout out to current {code} Coaches
Chief PowerCLI Officer, Belay Technologies
As a long-standing VMware {code} Coach, Justin has consistently been a pillar of the community, and his contributions in 2024 were no exception. At VMware Explore Las Vegas, Justin delivered multiple PowerCLI sessions at the {code} Theater, offering practical knowledge and real-world use cases to the audience. When a presenter couldn’t make it, Justin didn’t hesitate—stepping in with zero notice to deliver a flawless presentation and ensure that our community didn’t miss ran smoothly.
Justin also served as a Hackathon Judge at Las Vegas, sharing his expertise and helping guide participants to success. His ability to step up, inspire others, and lead by example continues to make him an invaluable member of the VMware {code} community.
System Architect, InfoCert
A long-time VMware {code} Coach, Lino has been a cornerstone of the community for years, and 2024 further highlighted his incredible contributions. At VMware Explore Barcelona, Lino delivered Terraform and Homelab sessions at the {code} Theater, captivating attendees with his depth of knowledge and hands-on approach. When a speaker couldn’t attend, Lino seamlessly stepped in, delivering a presentation with zero preparation and ensuring the show went on without a hitch.
Lino also served as a Hackathon Judge, and even delivered a {code} Hackathon Training session on Terraform. Behind the scenes, he played a critical role by helping record the {code} Theater sessions, ensuring they were live-streamed and accessible to the entire community. Lino’s unwavering dedication, both on and off the stage, continues to exemplify the spirit of VMware {code}.
R&D Software Engineer, Broadcom
As a long-time VMware {code} Coach, Vladimir has been a driving force in the community, and his contributions over the past two years have been exceptional. In both 2023 and 2024, Vladimir played a key role in organizing the VMware Explore Hackathons in Las Vegas and Barcelona by recruiting captains, forming teams, and helping author blog posts.
Beyond his organizational efforts, Vladimir competed in the 2023 Hackathon in Barcelona, showcasing his hands-on expertise and passion for innovation.
Vladimir’s dedication and leadership continue to leave a lasting impact on the VMware {code} community, making him an integral part of its success.
New {code} Coaches!
Staff Solutions Architect | VMware Cloud Foundation, Broadcom
Dale has been a standout contributor to the VMware {code} community, and his 2024 efforts at VMware Explore Las Vegas exemplify his dedication and expertise. He delivered multiple {code} Theater Sessions, sharing actionable insights and breaking down complex technical topics with clarity. Dale was also a featured VMware {code} Power Session Speaker, a VMTN Community Speaker, and a Code Labs Presenter, further solidifying his reputation as a versatile and knowledgeable leader. Check out the recordings here: Home Labs, VCF Operations, VCF Automation.
In addition to his speaking engagements, Dale took on the role of Hackathon Captain at VMware Explore Las Vegas 2023 & 2024, leading his team with innovation and enthusiasm. His ability to engage, mentor, and inspire others makes him an invaluable part of the VMware {code} community.
Owner, Amcom CommV
Evert’s contributions to the VMware {code} community in 2024 demonstrated his deep expertise and commitment to innovation. At VMware Explore Las Vegas and Barcelona, Evert delivered a Terraform {code} Theater Sessions, captivating audiences with his technical insights and practical applications.
In Las Vegas, Evert participated as a Hackathon team member and played a key role in his team’s success, ultimately taking home the win. His dedication to advancing the VMware {code} ecosystem and his ability to inspire others have made him a driving force in the community.
Senior Technical Adoption Manager, Broadcom
James’s leadership and creativity shone brightly in 2024, making him an integral part of the VMware {code} community. At VMware Explore Las Vegas and Barcelona, he partnered with a fellow (new) {code} coach – Stephan McTighe, to deliver Terraform and PowerCLI {code} Theater Sessions, sharing his technical expertise and practical insights.
In Las Vegas, James was a Hackathon team member and played a key role in his team’s victory with a standout project. Looking ahead to 2025, James is already working to give back to the community by helping plan weekly Community VCP Study Group Sessions, fostering learning and collaboration among members. His dedication and proactive efforts continue to elevate the VMware {code} ecosystem.
Product Marketing Engineer, Broadcom
Jatin’s contributions to the VMware {code} community in 2024 made him a standout leader. At VMware Explore Las Vegas, he delivered an insightful {code} Power Session on vSphere APIs and SDKS, showcasing his expertise and helping attendees enhance their technical skills.
Behind the scenes, Jatin played a key role in connecting me with key speakers for VMware Explore, ensuring the success of the {code} Theater sessions. His dedication to sharing knowledge and fostering collaboration continues to make a lasting impact on the VMware {code} community.
Owner, Brisk-IT
Maarten’s thought leadership and technical expertise stood out in 2024, making him a key contributor to the VMware {code} community. At VMware Explore Las Vegas and Barcelona, Maarten delivered multiple {code} & VMTN Theater Sessions, sharing impactful insights that resonated with attendees.
In Las Vegas, Maarten was part of a Hackathon team that went on to claim victory with an innovative and standout project. His unwavering commitment to fostering collaboration and advancing the VMware {code} ecosystem continues to inspire the community.
Technical Account Manager, Broadcom
Stephan’s dedication and expertise shone throughout 2024, making him an integral part of the VMware {code} community. At VMware Explore Las Vegas and Barcelona, he delivered multiple {code} Theater Sessions, providing valuable insights and practical guidance to attendees.
In Las Vegas, Stephan was a key member of a Hackathon-winning team, contributing his skills to deliver a project that was deployed within a VMware Hands on Lab. Looking ahead to 2025, Stephan is already collaborating to help plan weekly Community VCP Study Group Sessions, further demonstrating his commitment to fostering growth and learning within the community.
Sr. Principal Engineering Technologist, Dell Technologies
Tony’s contributions to the VMware {code} community in 2024 demonstrated his unwavering dedication and hands-on approach. At VMware Explore Las Vegas, Tony delivered presentations at both the {code} Community Theater and the VMTN Community Theater, but he also stepped up behind the scenes and helped with the setup and breakdown of the {code} Labs, ensuring everything was ready for attendees to learn and engage.
It’s not just Tony’s presentations that landed him the “coach” title. He’s a great person to be around, shares his knowledge through his blog, and you can always catch him up on stage with his purple cape.
Enterprise Architect, AT Innovando Juntos
Waldemar shared his enthusiasm and technical expertise at both VMware Explore Las Vegas and Barcelona, where he delivered multiple NSX presentations in the Communities Area, providing attendees with practical insights and real-world applications.
Apart from competing in the {code} Hackathon in Barcelona, he has shared his collaborative spirit and deep technical knowledge with the community through webinars, VMUG presentations, and podcasts. Waldemar’s dedication to community projects and his ability to share valuable expertise make him an integral part of the VMware {code} ecosystem.
Technology Product Manager, Broadcom
Alan’s long-standing leadership and mentorship have made him a cornerstone of the VMware {code} community. These past 2 years, Alan served as a Hackathon Judge at both VMware Explore Las Vegas and Barcelona, lending his expertise to evaluate projects and guide participants to success.
Alan’s deep commitment to fostering growth within the community, coupled with his ability to mentor both new and experienced developers, highlights his invaluable contributions to the VMware {code} ecosystem.
IT Infra Ops Support Engineer, Support and Solutions Center MK
Aleksandra’s enthusiasm and expertise were truly inspiring in 2024. As a Hackathon Participant at VMware Explore Barcelona, she brought innovation and collaboration to the forefront—participating during her personal time off, which speaks volumes about her dedication to the VMware {code} community.
While we wish we could have captured the genuine and thoughtful conversations we shared, Aleksandra’s impact at the hackathon and her collaborative spirit exemplify the heart of what VMware {code} is all about.
Senior Product Manager, Broadcom
Angel’s technical expertise and dedication to the VMware {code} community were on full display in 2024. At VMware Explore, he delivered an engaging {code} Power Session with Jatin Purohit, sharing his practical knowledge and empowering others to innovate.
Behind the scenes, Angel played a crucial role in helping organize speakers and presentations for VMware Explore, ensuring the {code} Theater sessions ran smoothly and delivered value to attendees. His active involvement and leadership continue to inspire the VMware {code} community.
Closing
This announcement isn’t just about recognition—it’s about continuing to build something bigger together. These VMware {code} Coaches have shown us what’s possible when passion, collaboration, and innovation collide.
I think back to that scene in 300, and I see this same kind of unified spirit in our community. It’s not just about what these Coaches have done—it’s about how their actions inspire others to step up, contribute, and grow.
To all our 2025 VMware {code} Coaches: thank you for being the heart of this program and for helping us take VMware {code} to new heights. Together, we’ll keep learning, building, and pushing forward.
Here’s to an incredible year ahead.
