CAMBRIDGE, UK, May 4, 2010 – Nominations for The Exceptional DBA of 2010 open today, giving database administrators around the world the chance to be recognized for service to their employers, the SQL Server community, and the IT industry at large. To nominate yourself or an exceptional DBA you know, visit www.exceptionaldba.com. Nominations are open until Friday, June 4.

In its third year, The Exceptional DBA Awards, hosted by SQL Server Central and sponsored by Red Gate Software, provide a public forum for DBAs wanting to share the achievements and challenges of their profession with the IT community.

The awards are open to all those currently employed as a SQL Server database administrator.

Five finalists will be chosen by a panel of expert judges. In a final vote, the winner will be selected by the SQL Server Central community and the judges.

The Exceptional DBA of the Year receives full conference registration for the 2010 PASS Summit in Seattle, four nights’ hotel accommodation, $300 towards travel expenses, and a trophy to keep. The winner and the finalists receive a copy of Red Gate’s SQL Toolbelt with 36 months of support and upgrades. The finalists will also be awarded with certificates of recognition.

“No higher honor”

“There is no higher honor than being recognized by your peers as being exceptional,” says Josef Richberg of HarperCollins, Exceptional DBA of 2009 and a judge for this year’s awards. “Winning this award opened up many doors for me in the community and beyond.”

Richberg joins judges Steve Jones, editor of SQL Server Central, Brad McGehee, SQL Server MVP and author of the book How to be an Exceptional DBA, and Rodney Landrum, author of several SQL Server books and regular contributor to SQL Server magazine and simple-talk.com.

About the sponsor

Founded in 1999, Red Gate Software produces ingeniously simple tools used by more than 500,000 IT professionals worldwide. The company specializes in SQL Server, .NET and Exchange Server tools. Red Gate has been chosen as one of The Sunday Times (UK) 100 best small companies to work for in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Media contact:

Bob Cramblitt, Cramblitt & Company

info@cramco.com; 919-481-4599