Scott Wylie

Director, Developer & Platform Evangelism (DPE) Group
@TheGasMan

Scott leads the Developer and Platform Evangelism Group in NZ. This means working with the great team below to excite customers and communities about Microsoft’s new and emerging technologies like Windows Phone, Windows Azure and Windows 8. He’s a recovering developer, having worked on everything from IBM 370 assembler to .NET, but still enjoys opening up Visual Studio and cranking out some code! Prior to Microsoft he worked in Australia, the UK and the US in a variety of ISV and corporate environments. After hours he can be found playing with his band 'President Gas'.

Nigel Parker

Web & Windows 8 Evangelist
@nzigel

Nigel has 15 years of experience working with creative New Zealand developers, start-ups, top websites and media companies, to implement cutting edge web, video and mobile solutions. He’s motivated by big ideas and smart unconventional execution, and challenges himself and others to fail quickly and drive forward innovation. Having graduated from the University of Auckland with a degree in technology and philosophy, he has an entrepreneurial background in which he co-founded two New Zealand technology companies. He took some risks and broke some new ground during the first ".com" bubble and was one of the few that, despite losing money, didn’t lose heart for the unrealised potential of the tech industry.

Ryan Tarak

Academic, Community & Windows Phone Evangelist
@ryan_tarak

Ryan T is passionate about academic audiences, Windows Phone, and the NZ developer community. Supporting the .NET User Groups and engaging with academics as well as tertiary students, Ryan focuses on helping institutions introduce Microsoft technologies, and helping students to connect with the industry through programs such as the Microsoft Imagine Cup. A graduate from both the University of Auckland and the University of Otago, Ryan no longer has any free time - thanks to his beautiful baby girl, Kayla.

Ryan Crawcour

Windows Azure Evangelist
@ryancrawcour

Ryan C is an adventure sports enthusiast with a deep-set passion for IT. With over fifteen years' experience architecting, designing and implementing solutions on the Microsoft platform, Ryan has achieved a solid track record in all things distributed & connected. Ryan has been working with the Windows Azure Platform since its early days and has seen it grow and mature to be a serious offering in the exciting and evolving world of Cloud Computing. He now spends his time assisting others in their adoption of the platform.

Thiago Almeida

ISV & Start-up Evangelist
@nzthiago

Thiago has over ten years of experience working as a solutions architect and technical leader with a proven track record in designing and delivering solutions in the Asia Pacific region. A native of Brazil, and a graduate of Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Thiago now spends time helping Software startups and Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) with Microsoft technologies. When he’s not taking large amounts of time off to return to his home country, Thiago spends time with his lovely wife Karla.

Nathan Mercer

IT Pro Evangelist
@nathanm

Nathan has been working with Microsoft-based networks since the "good ol' days" of Windows NT 3.x, and has been with Microsoft New Zealand since 2000 as a Systems Engineer, Technology Specialist and now as an IT Pro Evangelist. He is responsible for making sure that IT Professionals in NZ are fully briefed on infrastructure-related Microsoft software. A long-time and well-known contributor to community groups online and offline, Nathan's previous jobs have included consulting for the finance sector in Wellington, focusing on systems management, and being a *nix administrator for an ISP. He was a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) for Clustering, and currently holds both an MCSE and the CISSP security qualification. When not working, Nathan can be found listening to electronic music, skydiving, mountain biking, and/or visiting exotic destinations.

Gabriela Spindler

Audience Marketing Manager

Gabriela is a long-time IT professional holding various marketing and management positions over more than 20 years. She has been working for global hardware and software companies in Germany, and joined the DPE New Zealand team in August 2011. In her role as Audience Marketing Manager in DPE, she directs Microsoft's offline and online campaigns – to bring technical information to the New Zealand breadth audience of IT Professionals, and the software development community.

David Steele

Marketing Specialist, Technical Audiences
@steele_

David is approaching the end of his studies at the University of Auckland. He is in his final semester of a BA-BCom, majoring in information systems, psychology, marketing and philosophy. Within Microsoft, he is responsible for the digital marketing activities aimed at technical audiences – specifically focusing on IT professionals and students. He creates and executes a wide range of marketing campaigns, manages DPE’s online assets including its social media presence, and takes care of email comms and event management. Outside of Microsoft and university, David can be found managing a cinema complex, and moonlighting as a web developer.

Daryl Ooh

Marketing Specialist, Technical Audiences
@darylo

Daryl specialises in marketing for developers, independent software vendors, and students. His role is ensuring that these audiences get the most out of their relationship with Microsoft. Aspects of his role includes managing event and training engagements, digital marketing, social media and working with the community. Daryl is also a core part of the TechEd New Zealand team managing the content, sessions, speakers and digital properties. In his spare time, Daryl is a health and fitness enthusiast. He is also currently working on an EP which will showcase his songwriting.

Geraldine Maxwell

Team Administrator

Geraldine has a love for people, travel, adventure, and the environment. Whilst part-time for Microsoft, Geraldine is a full-time Mum to two young and very active twin girls. With a Bachelor of Business Studies and a background in sales analysis and administration, she always tries to keep her team on top of those administrative and organisational tasks that could otherwise be overlooked.