Itzik Ben-Gan is a mentor and founder of Solid Quality Learning. A Microsoft SQL Server MVP (Most Valuable Professional) since 1999, Itzik has delivered numerous training events around the world focused on T-SQL Querying, Query Tuning, and Programming. Itzik is the author of several books on Microsoft SQL Server. He has written many articles for SQL Server Magazine, as well as articles and white papers for MSDN. Itzik’s speaking engagements include Tech Ed, DevWeek, various SQL user groups around the world, PASS, SQL Server Magazine Connections, and Solid Quality Learning’s events, to name a few.

Since 1992, Itzik has been involved in many projects covering various database and computer systems–related technologies. In addition to helping customers with their pressing needs, fixing their problems, optimizing their databases, teaching, and mentoring, Itzik has helped developers and database administrators shift to a relational/set-based mindset, improving both the performance of their code and its maintainability. Itzik’s main expertise is T-SQL Querying, Query Tuning, Programming, and Internals, but he’s proficient in other database areas as well. In 1999, Itzik founded the Israeli SQL Server and OLAP User Group, and he has been managing it since then.