Reprinted from my editorial in the Simple-Talk Newsletter.

It’s hard to believe, but it was five years ago that Red Gate Software started sponsoring the Exceptional DBA of the Year Awards. The award, which was inspired by my book: How to Become an Exceptional DBA, has uncovered a number of DBAs who might otherwise not have ever been publically recognized for their skills as master DBAs.

When the award first started, some people thought that only well-known DBAs would be nominated and win, but just the opposite has happened. While there are many well-known DBAs who deserve the award, most of the nominees and winners of the award have been DBAs most people aren’t familiar with, and I think this is a good thing.

While there are many DBAs who are in the eye of the public, there are many, many more hardworking DBAs who never make the limelight. While they may not be well-known within the SQL Server community, they are all consummate professionals, hard workers, and knowledgeable experts, all of whom should have the opportunity to be publically recognized.

And when it comes right down to it, this is the real purpose of the Exceptional DBA of the Year award. It is designed to help identify and celebrate those exceptional DBAs that all too often fall through the cracks without public recognition for all their hard work and contributions to our profession.

Unfortunately, there can only be a handful of nominees each year, and one winner, although I am sure that there are hundreds of DBAs throughout the world that deserve the award. Because of this, I encourage you to either nominate yourself, or another DBA, for the 2012 Exceptional DBA of the Year award. If you don’t, then how will you, or another DBA you know, have an opportunity to be publically recognized for all your hard work?

So please take a few minutes out of your day, read through the www.exceptionaldba.com website, and nominate yourself or another deserving DBA.