‘Here everyone has their own unique expertise and that’s what makes the team so strong’
From system administration to DBA consultant My background is in systems administration, mainly focused on Linux and open source. But…
From South Africa to the Netherlands
I was born and raised in South Africa, where I also began my database career. In 1998, my wife and I decided to move to the Netherlands with our family. The idea was to live in Europe for two years, work, and see as much as possible. But, as often happens in life, things turned out differently. We arrived here with our youngest son, who was severely disabled. What the Netherlands offered in terms of care and opportunities exceeded all our expectations.
When we returned to South Africa after two years to explore where we wanted to settle, my son became seriously ill. A short vacation turned into a hospital stay of nearly three months. That was our turning point. We realized that going back was no longer an option. The Netherlands had become our home. Unfortunately, our little boy passed away, our two eldest children are now married, and my wife and I have four grandchildren, whom we enjoy every day.
A perfect match at OptimaData
I’ve been involved in the world of databases for over 30 years, but I only switched to OptimaData five years ago. That change came at exactly the right time. I had known Martijn, one of the founders, for years. We first met during my very first assignment in the Netherlands. He had just started in the database field, and we immediately felt a connection because we both shared the same passion for databases. Over the years, we kept in touch. We regularly met on projects and occasionally arranged to grab a bite or a drink and catch up.
Five years ago, Martijn asked if I would like to meet Gerard and Edco. At the time, I was working for another company, but I no longer felt I belonged there. I had gone through a difficult period and felt it was time for something new. At OptimaData, I found exactly what I was looking for: the freedom to do fun, challenging things. I was given the space to explore and develop new ideas on my own. It felt like a liberation.
What makes OptimaData so special is its flat organizational structure. Everyone knows each other and the communication lines are short. If you need something, you can just walk in to see Gerard or Edco. Martijn has since left, but I have taken over part of his role as the technical conscience of OptimaData. And yes, sometimes it can be a bit chaotic here, but it’s precisely in that chaos that I find my peace. Here, I do what I excel at and what energizes me. I have absolutely no desire to switch companies.
Versatile role
I am a senior database engineer and team lead of the managed services team. We are responsible for the daily management of the database environments of various clients. That means monitoring, maintaining, and ensuring everything runs smoothly. I personally am on 24/7 standby for several large clients—think of a payment provider that handles online transactions or an organization that sells flight tickets. It’s a high-pressure business because if their systems fail, serious problems arise.
As team lead, I maintain oversight, manage the team, and ensure that we meet our clients’ expectations. Additionally, I collaborate with Gerard on new projects. Is a client a good fit for us? How do we approach it? Who will work on it? That combination of technology and strategy is what makes my role so versatile.
Not sitting still anytime soon
In ten years I’ll be seventy, but I can’t imagine not working. Spending all day at home? No, that’s just not for me. I might scale back a bit, perhaps work fewer hours, but I don’t foresee stopping anytime soon. By staying active, you keep your brain sharp. I don’t want to sit at home feeling like I’m getting dumber by the day. I simply hope to continue doing my work here with pleasure. And, well, that retirement age… in a year or so, it’s probably going to be around seventy. But you know what? You won’t hear me complain.
Every now and then, I take up something new. For example, I have a few welding machines in my shed. In the summer, I love spending time outside, tinkering with a piece of steel. That way, I always have something to keep my hands busy.
Free time: barbecuing, fishing, and cycling
Barbecuing—or “braaien,” as they call it here—is in my South African blood. Together with my son-in-law, who has now become an experienced braai master, we regularly plan extended sessions. We go “low and slow,” spending six to eight hours by the fire. For me, it’s about more than just food; it’s a moment of conviviality with family and grandchildren.
I also love fishing, but not the kind where you just wait by a bobber. I enjoy active fishing with lures, which fully engages you and lets you escape work for a while. That’s true relaxation.
In the summer, my wife and I often go cycling—short rides during the week and longer trips on the weekend. When we go camping, the bike always comes along. At home, I’m constantly busy with something. I have a passion for electronics, tinkering with Raspberry Pis and Arduinos, and I occasionally dabble in photography.
I even used to participate in shooting sports and competed a few times in world championships in England. However, during the COVID period, the competitions were on hold for a few years, and my enthusiasm waned a bit. But I always manage to find something new to take up. For instance, I now have a few welding machines in my shed, with which I happily work outdoors in the summer.
Want to know more?
Are you curious about the opportunities and challenges at OptimaData? Or would you like to learn how we can optimize your database environment? Feel free to get in touch—we’re here to help!
