Congratulations to John Campbell, Db2 for z/OS DE, on his Retirement! Living Db2 Legend!
John Campbell IBM DE for Db2 for z/OS will be retiring from IBM on the 5th of August 2022 after four decades working on IBM Db2 for z/OS. He has been the face of “World of Db2” for decades and I know he will be greatly missed by all of us.
John started working on Db2 for z/OS Version 1 in the 80's, here is a brief summary of John's career with Db2 for z/OS. John has worked with many, many Db2 customers, business partners and IBMers over the decades, this is an opportunity for everyone to say goodbye to John before he leaves IBM.
John is a living legend of the Db2 community, especially a familiar face at conferences, World of Db2, IBM and IDUG Events, supported Db2 for z/OS books, Redbooks, whitepapers etc. He will greatly be missed at events, conferences, panels etc
John has attended and presented at nearly 60 IDUG conferences in North America, EMEA, Australia, South America and India. He has been voted regularly as the “Top 10 Speaker" on majority of these conferences and been voted “Best "Presenter” at least 3 times and entered the IDUG Speaker Hall of Fame. He has presented many, many Db2 for z/OS webcasts over his career, I have personally worked with John for the past ten years and his webcasts have always achieved up to 1000+ registrations and which is a record for webcasts.
He has also supported many, many Db2 regional User Groups all over the world.
I know John really wanted an opportunity to meet many of his customers, partners and Db2 family before his retirement and say "goodbye". However, with "Covid Pandemic” it does not look like it is possible, so we have arranged a virtual party.
Check out some of the highlights and memories of the last four decades Click Here
If you have any photos that you would like please upload to this community. Please send your wishes and memories, I will try and print and share in his retirement card.
John started working on Db2 in the 80's as started his career as IBM Systems Engineer. - here is a brief backgrpound of JC's career. JC's words
- Technical branch system engineer helping the early customers migrate and exploit Db2 V1R1 thru Db2 V2R3. Helped design and implement major operational and decision support systems.
- Top system engineer in his IBM System Engineering School.
- Lead subject matter expert for Db2 in IBM UK Country Technical Support. Major contributor to IBM Redbook projects, and UK and Intentional Conference.
- Assignment to Db2 Lab in San Jose working as a performance analyst for Db2 V3 and V4. Technical leader in Performance Team for the design and development of Data Sharing and Type 2 Index Manager.
- Appointed IBM Distinguished Engineer and entry to the IBM Academy of Technology in 2003.
- Several major IBM Outstanding Technical Achievement Awards including for data sharing.
- Technical leader of the Db2 Worldwide SWAT Team since 1999.
- Voted best speaker at multiple major IDUG Conferences around the world, and member of the IDUG Speaker Hall of fame.
- I hope I will be remembered for my deep technical knowledge, my enthusiasm, customer handling skills, inspiring others, and being generous with my knowledge and time in helping colleagues and customers. Most importantly as the voice of the customer and the voice of reason within Db2 Development.
Comments
John,
Best Wishes on your retirement!! We will certainly miss your advice and tips.
All the Best,
Robin
Dear John !
In the course of life you have teached us to think and speak DB2. You have been one of the most important leaders in creating DB2 community. Already when I met you for the first time I noticed that you are a great inspirer. Any time after listening to you I have had quite a too long list of things to-do and to-tune. I believe that the whole DB2 community will thank you on instructing us on db2 from top to bottom. Personally I wish you well amd hope we still can see and maybe to listen to you somtimes somewhere in the future, too.
Jarmo
HI John
Thank you SO much for all the hard work you have done in this way
Good Bye John Campbell
Hi John,
You ARE the standard for Db2 z/OS. I am just one of the Db2 professionals who have benefitted by your in-depth technical knowledge that you have shared so generously and enthusiastically over the years. I know that I also speak for many Db2 database administrators who have received personal technical advice when we have reached out to you with specific areas of concern in support of our users - Thank You! Your wealth of knowledge and ability to communicate so honestly and freely to all of us make you the legend that you have become and will always be remembered.
I wish you a long and healthy retirement John. Keep that smile and contagious laugh as you enjoy your next adventures in life!
All the Best,
Eileen Stevenson
Hi John,
it's always been an honor to work with you for our global customer base running SAP on top of Db2 for z/OS. I remember enumerous cases where you helped us resolving tricky customer problems or inspired us in improving the joint solution stack.
We wish you all the best for your retirement!
Bernd (representing the joint IBM/SAP porting team)
Hi John,
Doesn't seem that long ago that you were my first SE when working at Sun Life in Bristol, it was great fun and I admired your patience and honesty - something that you have retained throughout your career.
Will miss your war stories amd meeting up at conferences.
Hopefully the voice of the customers will still be heard as loud as it was heard through you.
Good luck and enjoy your well deserved retirement
Tom
Hi John,
Thankyou SO much for all the years of passing on the very best technical information, and making it understandable to all levels of expertise. I always really valued every session that you presented, across numerous IDUGs and countless webcasts. Thanks for answering so many questions over the years. You will be hugely missed.
Enjoy a very well deserved retirement. All the very best.
Paul.
Hi John
thx for the many meetings with you and flo. Obtaining expert-advice and knowledge and beer-prefetching skills.
Thomas
Dear John! I have always admired your skills, not only on DB2 but explaining all the new features and their uses for us. I watched you to mentor the new stars in DB2 and wished I had a mentor equally dedicated.
Though we have not met for a long time and I have missed so many of your new books, I bet I have more of them with XXX than anyone else.
Thank you for caring for us, no matter from how small a DB2 country or company!
Enjoy your retirement <3
Anne
Dear John,
How much the "JC Greatest Hits, War Stories and Best Practices" will be missed !
Time and again they contained deep technical and ready-to-use information that I could get to work with as a systems engineer.
Thank you for your lifelong commitment to the Db2 community and enjoy your retirement !
Gilbert