I'm a server and infrastructure guy with a penchant for the big picture and a lifelong love of technology.

I'm not looking for new opportunities at this time.

Ask me about my homelab, and ignore the huge backlog of projects. I've redone my home networks for the end of my Meraki licenses, then switched back. I've worked in networking and storage although it's been a little while. I have never been a developer. I've never waited tables (even database tables) but respect those who do. I admit what I don't know and learn quickly. 

Today I'm an engineering product manager for UCS networking in the compute business at Cisco. 

From 2022-2023 I was product line manager for software management products at Supermicro. 

From 2018-2020 I focused on channel partner enablement, partner sales engineering, solutions engineering at Cisco. 

From 2014-2018 I played storyteller/matchmaker between big data ISVs, Cisco channel partners and internal sales teams, and occasionally a customer or 100. I've been doing big data since late 2003/early 2004 (really) and Hadoop since probably 2008 (CDH1). I presented at partner events and public conferences including Strata+Hadoop World (2x) and Cisco Live (4x, Distinguished Speaker). 

On the first day at Cisco (right after lunch), I pushed a half million dollar deal over the edge with my personal experience outweighing a competitor's positioning. From then on, I brought context and proportion to challenging situations, helping our customers succeed and our sales teams make money. I believe those two should not be mutually exclusive, and I consider it my mission to bring them together wherever I work. 

Before Cisco, I was a senior level Silicon Valley systems operations professional with nearly 20 years (different years, even) of production UNIX system administration in multiple varieties of UNIX (Solaris, Linux, BSD) as well as experience in other desktop and server platforms. I built a proven history of delivering enterprise class scalable server, network, and DR/BC environments within stringent budget and time restraints.

I blog at rsts11.com and rsts11travel.com. 

Specialties: Big data platforms, hardware, and education; system administration, hardware planning and management (even clouds need hardware), Hadoop, written English (documentation is our friend), UNIX-based email systems, coffee preparation & procurement, operations team building and sustaining. 

I'm not a developer or coder although I can read or tweak some code. I don't have an MBA or a PhD. 

I'm not looking for new opportunities at this time.

Robert Novak

I guess there's a new way to scream THIS IS SPAM. 

This company is "reaching out to you on LinkedIn on the basis of its legitimate interests"

My legitimate interest is to receive an advance payment of $100 before reviewing the often-poorly-targeted inquiry you're spamming me with. You can put the amount in manually on https://ko-fi.com/robnovak, and by sending me money through this link, you accept that I do not commit to anything in return. I usually thank people but I don't commit to even that.

🚝Robert Novak

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Six months ago I brought up a Proxmox VE cluster on my Lenovo P360 Ultra stack (see comments for my "banana for scale" equivalent). I did this on the dining room table, so I had to take it down, and it's been waiting for some shelf space. 

The first generation used a $36 ZTYUAV 2.5/10G switch (now $28, https://amzn.to/3LLBWBS) and the onboard 2.5gbe ports on the P360s. 

I upgraded the quad gigabit Ethernet cards to Lenovo 10GBase-T cards and got a small low power 10GBase-T switch from Woot (Zyxel XGS1250-12, currently $180 on Amazon, https://amzn.to/4aWf8tv). 

I'm planning to bring the 10G platform up, upgrade (or fresh install) to VE9, possibly add some more internal storage for Ceph, and do some testing and recording. 

Then it's time to install the ConnectX-4 cards (https://ebay.us/vNnoJR, under $40, with some $20ish 10GTek cables for a loop network) and see what it feels like on higher speeds. 

Hoping to get a video series next month and a blog post or two around the same time. Then maybe I'll find some enterprise grade gear to warm up. 

As an Amazon and eBay affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases, including those through links above, at no extra cost to my readers.

David A. Chapa

Hitachi Vantara

Drive market insights and analytics to shape Hitachi Vantara’s AI, file, and object storage strategy, providing data-driven perspectives on industry trends, customer needs, and competitive dynamics.

-Developed the AI Customer Maturity Model to help internal teams create targeted messaging and positioning aligned with a customer’s AI adoption stage.

-Analyze market trends, competitive landscapes, and customer pain points to provide actionable insights for product marketing, GTM teams, and sales strategy.

-Provide strategic market intelligence that informs GTM strategy, product positioning, and sales enablement efforts.

-Engage with industry analysts and internal stakeholders to refine AI, object storage, and data infrastructure market positioning.

-Create strategic content and insights that support executive decision-making, customer engagements, and analyst relations.

Strategic Marketing Leader

The CTE Group

Founded and led a consulting and industry analyst firm specializing in strategic marketing, product marketing, sales enablement, and technical advisory services for data center, cloud, AI/ML, and enterprise storage vendors.

Guided vendors on GTM strategy, competitive positioning, and messaging to drive differentiation in AI, storage, and cloud markets.

-Developed sales enablement content and training programs to improve customer engagement and accelerate deals.

-Created technical marketing assets (white papers, competitive analyses, executive briefings) to support vendor sales and marketing teams.

-Provided thought leadership and advisory services on AI, security, data protection, and enterprise infrastructure.

-Delivered executive presentations and workshops on AI infrastructure, digital transformation, and data resilience.

Chief Analyst

WEKA

Drove product marketing and messaging strategy for WEKA’s HPC storage solutions, contributing to its positioning as a leader in AI and cloud data management. Partnered with sales, product teams, and analysts to develop strategic insights and enablement materials.

-Influenced GTM and competitive positioning by analyzing market trends, customer needs, and competitive dynamics.

-Developed messaging frameworks, technical content, and sales tools to differentiate WEKA’s solutions for AI workloads, enterprise data, and cloud environments.

-Supported sales enablement by creating competitive positioning guides, customer-facing content, and training materials that improved deal conversion.

-Engaged with industry analysts and thought leaders to refine WEKA’s market perception and value proposition.

-Shaped technical storytelling and marketing assets that simplified complex storage architectures for AI and HPC buyers.

Product Marketing & Competitive Intelligence Leader

Colorado Wounded Vet Run

Co-founder of American Wounded Veterans Foundation (DBA: Colorado Wounded Vet Run) a nonprofit organization focused on raising awareness for our military service members who have been wounded in the line of duty.  Our mission is to help local heroes, through financial donations from our charity, with home modifications, family time vacations, financial assistance, or whatever our local hero requires to help them adjust to their new life. 

We are a Colorado-based nonprofit, with a National vision.  AWVF is doing business as Colorado Wounded Vet Run.  http://www.CWVR.org

Board of Directors

Qumulo

Led technical evangelism and thought leadership for Qumulo’s unstructured data storage platform, engaging with customers, analysts, and partners to drive awareness and adoption.

-Developed and delivered keynotes, presentations, and customer briefings to articulate Qumulo’s value in modern data environments.

-Built technical narratives and content strategies that highlighted Qumulo’s advantages in cloud, AI, and large-scale data management.

-Worked cross-functionally with sales, marketing, and product teams to refine messaging and align positioning with customer pain points.

-Created customer case studies, blog posts, and technical thought leadership content to drive market engagement.

Chief Evangelist

Provided market insights and analysis to support Qumulo’s GTM strategy, sales enablement, and product positioning.

-Analyzed competitive landscape and market trends to influence messaging and differentiation.

-Developed sales enablement tools to help field teams position Qumulo’s strengths against competitors.

-Worked with product and marketing teams to refine positioning in response to market shifts and customer feedback.

Head of Competitive Intelligence

Veeam Software

Sr. Director Product Strategy, Global Tech Evangelist

In this position, I orchestrated cross-functional efforts of a geographically-dispersed team. I held full accountability for developing and delivering key features and product enhancements. I served as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) with respect to identifying and acting upon untapped opportunities to drive business ROI. Collaborated across business units to form a global alliance management team. 
	
Select contributions in this role include:

Kept up to date on all new and emerging technology trends; made appropriate recommendations at executive meetings to facilitate business growth. 

Presented on the corporate technology vision strategy to key stakeholders; effectively managed their expectations.

Global CTO, EMC Emerging Technologies Division

Seagate Technology

I collaborated with the VP of Research & Development (R&D) / CTO on product and go-to-market strategy development. I utilized data analytics and Business Intelligence (BI) expertise to conceptualize and define innovative strategies for acquisition and to drive additional revenue. In addition, I served in a dual role as Senior Director for Interim Solutions GM for the bulk of tenure.   

Select contributions in this role include:

Forged collaborative relationships with sales/business development divisions to achieve sales goals. 

Led the design and development of highly-impactful direct channel marketing campaigns. 

Oversaw and managed new technology rollouts in conjunction with the product management teams. 

Developed and established aggressive, but attainable Key Performance Indicator (KPI) metrics to drive sales revenue.

Senior Director of Technology & Global Evangelist

Quantum

I directed social media, strategy development, marketing, and relationship management efforts. My efforts were focused on propelling organizational growth and success.  

Select contributions in this role include:
  
●Increased company blog traffic by 500%. 

●Doubled the company’s share of ink in trade publications. 

●Employed expertise to create and implement a comprehensive new media marketing plan.

Senior Director of Technology & Evangelism

Enterprise Strategy Group

Storage Industry Senior Analyst covering Data Protection with focus on Backup as a Service, Disaster Recovery/Business Continuity and High Availability solutions.

Provide guidance, insight and business strategy consulting combined with forward looking market analysis for ESG clients, prospects and end-users.

Author of Navigating the BaR Scene, a  blog commentary on the data protection market. Develop research briefs and market landscape reports all focusing on data protection, specifically backup as a service (online backup), high availability, disaster recovery and business continuity.  

Assist clients in developing message framework, product strategies, market analysis, competitive positioning, strategic analysis, go-to-market strategies, marketing campaigns and all other aspects to help drive sales, marketing and brand awareness.

Senior Analyst and Consultant

With over three decades of experience, I specialize in crafting compelling go-to-market strategies, driving product marketing initiatives, and elevating technical storytelling to accelerate revenue growth. As a hands-on leader, I thrive in bridging technical depth with market positioning, enabling companies to articulate their unique value propositions effectively. I excel in shaping GTM strategy, leading technical evangelism, and positioning emerging technologies in AI, storage, data protection, and cloud markets. Whether in front of customers, industry analysts, or internal teams, I bring a passion for simplifying complex technology into engaging narratives that drive impact.

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