I’m happy to share that Microsoft has once again honored me with the Most Valuable Professional (MVP) award in the category of Cloud and Datacenter Management. This marks the ninth consecutive year I’ve received this recognition—an achievement that’s meaningful to me both personally and professionally.
The MVP award is given to individuals who are actively involved in technology communities—sharing practical knowledge, helping others solve challenges, and offering insights in their area of expertise. It’s Microsoft’s way of recognizing those who devote time and energy to supporting and strengthening the wider IT community.
About My Work
I’m Stoyan Chalakov, Senior Principal Consultant and Partner at POHN IT-Consulting GmbH, a Switzerland-based IT consulting company. My work centers on designing, implementing, and supporting modern cloud and datacenter infrastructures—ranging from private to hybrid environments. I regularly work with technologies like Microsoft System Center, Hyper-V, Microsoft Azure, and Office 365.
A large part of what I do involves helping clients establish stable, efficient IT operations: setting up monitoring, building out service management processes, and integrating automation and orchestration into their daily workflows.
Earlier in my career, I worked at Microsoft Professional Support as part of the server platform team, assisting enterprise customers across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. That experience gave me a strong foundation in troubleshooting complex environments and sharpened my skills in areas like Active Directory and server infrastructure.
Reflections on the Award
Being selected for the MVP award again this year is a reminder of the consistent work and dedication I’ve put into my career. That said, the real value isn’t just the recognition—it’s the ongoing learning, the conversations with peers, and the knowledge exchange with the broader community. Writing blog posts, answering questions, speaking at events, or helping someone solve a technical problem all contribute to my growth and motivation.
This past year brought major shifts in the industry—new technologies, evolving platforms, and fresh challenges. Being part of the MVP community has helped me stay closely connected to these changes, continually growing my expertise and offering timely, relevant guidance to those I work with.
Personal Appreciation
I’m deeply thankful for the support I’ve received over the years. My family has been incredibly understanding, especially during those times when work demanded a lot of focus and long hours. Friends, colleagues, and peers have also played an important role—offering feedback, encouragement, and support that push me to keep learning and improving.
Special thanks go to my team at POHN IT-Consulting GmbH and to the many clients and partners I’ve had the chance to collaborate with. Working together in an environment that values quality, trust, and open collaboration gives real meaning to what I do. Being part of projects that bring challenges and opportunities to create something new has helped me grow—both technically and personally.
Looking Ahead
Looking forward, my focus remains clear: keep learning and continue giving back to the community in meaningful ways. The IT world never stands still, and I’m excited to keep exploring new ideas, supporting others, and contributing to the knowledge we all share.
Thanks again to everyone who has been part of this journey—I’m truly grateful for your support.