Lead VMware Contributor

Linda Smith — UK Business Development Director for Microsoft and VMware

Linda has worked in the IT training industry for over 16 years, and focuses on major account development across all verticals. Linda works closely with leading vendors such as Microsoft and VMware whilst also continuing to support strategic account development.

Linda is actively involved in managing our partnership with the VCE Alliance, formed by leading worldwide vendors, Cisco and EMC with investments from VMware and Intel. This unique alliance delivers the industry’s first completely integrated IT offering with end-to-end vendor accountability.
By collaborating with these vendors, Linda is able to work closely with our customers to help them focus on business innovation.

Linda spends most of her spare time with her husband and children. She loves to travel and also tries to fit in yoga as much as she can.

Global Knowledge and VMware

Global Knowledge was recently voted VMware Global Education Partner of the Year, so you know you will receive unprecedented VMware training ‚support and value for money.

VMware, Cisco and EMC announced their VCE alliance earlier in 2009. Global Knowledge is currently the only global company in the UK who is authorized to provide training across their portfolio of courses.

With VMWare Xtra from Global Knowledge, which is an industry first, VMware trainees can access exclusive online content including video, white papers, articles and exam content free of charge.

View all VMware related articles and posts

Other VMware Experts and Contributors

Scott Vessey

Scott joined Global Knowledge as Lead Instructor — VMware at the start of 2009 and habe been VMware Certified Instructor since 2006. Scott also holds Mentor status for other instructors with VMware, and was as inaugral member of the VMware Technical Advisory Council which allows him to have input on the VMware curriculum and courseware. Prior to being involved in VMware, Scott was an instructor on Microsoft products such as Exchange and SMS, as well as the MCSE certification tracks.

Profile:

VMware Certified Instructor (2006-present)
VMware Certified Professional on vSphere 4 (VCP4)
VMware Certified Professional on VMware Infrastructure 3 (VCP3)
VMware Certified Professional on ESX 2,5 (VCP2)
Microsoft Certified Trainer (1997−2006)
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (2003, 2000, NT4)
Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (2003, 2000)
Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (XP)

Scott also runs his own VMware Training and Certification blog and  a major contributor to the VMware community forum on Technical Training and Certification, and also run my own web site on VMware virtualization — Think Virtually.

Kevin Ray

Kevin Ray (CCI, CCEE, VCI, VCP, MCT) has worked with a variety of technologies over 20 years from Voice, Data and Mainframe systems to my current specialty, Desktop Virtualization. I have worked in many roles performing tasks such as repair, testing, installation, support and consultancy.  I have worked with many vendors delivering a variety of training programs and at present focusing on multivendor training programs to reflect systems customers have implemented.

Cladia Woods

Claudia joined Global Knowledge as a Microsoft Technologist in April 2007.  In November 2008 Claudia became Global Knowledge UK’s first VMware VCI.  Currently Claudia’s teaching portfolio includes VMware’s “Install, Configure, Manage” and “What’s New” courses.  Microsoft specialties include the ITPro tracks for Windows Server, Active Directory and Exchange Messaging.

A geek by nature, Claudia enjoys the challenge of new technology, and routinely volunteers as a beta tester and reviewer for various vendor’s products. Claudia has also written, edited and presented customized technology courses for several organizations.  She frequently attends IT events such as MCT Summit, FOSE, and others.  Claudia is a usual participant at IT events such as Microsoft’s TechEd conference, where for the past several years she has been selected to be a Technical Learning Guide in the Hands-On Lab area.  Her speaking engagements include presenting an Instructor Lead Lab at TechEd North America 2008 and being a panelist at TechEd Europe 2010’s Women in Technology event.

Profile:

• Microsoft Certified Trainer (since 1999)
• Microsoft Certified IT Professional: Windows Server 2008, Exchange Server 2007/2010
• Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (NT-2003)
• Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician
• VMware Certified Trainer (since 2008)
• VMware Certified Professional 3.x-4.x
• CompTIA A+
• CompTIA Network+
• CompTIA CTT+  (since 2003)
• Novell NetWare CNA/CNE 3.x — 5.x