Leaving Avanade, joining Achmea
Somewhere back in 2005 I joined Avanade and I had a really great time over there. It's one of the best places to be if you're a Microsoft geek. I started with a super cool project in 2005 at the head office in Seattle. Created a Domain-Specific Language (ACA.NET) that abstracts away the details from Windows Communication Foundation for Avanade consultants. Somewhat similar than WSSF, but more geared towards productivity gains. Moved back to the Netherlands (my home country) after that and spend a couple of years mainly helping Avanade clients with Application Integration solutions.
But now what? My girlfriend and I choose last summer to move back to the region where we grew up and our families live. Unfortunately this is remote from where most Avanade clients are. At the same time some Microsoft employees told me the largest Dutch insurance company (Achmea) started a business agreement with them. Achmea was about to set up a "Microsoft Center of Excellence" and a training program called the "Microsoft Excellence Program" for a few Microsoft talents. Achmea is also an early adopter of Microsoft technology and has one of the largest .NET communities in the country with about 200 developers. So enough ingredients to get me excited! Besides that it's also close to my new home so last summer I've joined Achmea as a Microsoft Lead Developer.