Microsoft Dynamics Profile: A CRM developer’s multi-year journey to MVP recognition

In the world of Microsoft Dynamics CRM, newly recognized MVP Blake Scarlavai, Principal Developer at Sonoma Partners, is still young.

He went to work for Sonoma Partners in July 2008 - fresh out of college. And at that point Scarlavai, who received his MVP award in April, had never even heard of Dynamics CRM.

"I got a degree in computer technology from Purdue University, mainly focused on software development," he said.

Because Purdue, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, is close to Chicago, Scarlavai said a lot of companies in the Windy City scope out the school looking for college grads to bring on board.

Sonoma Partners was one of those companies that came knocking on Scarlavai's door offering him a job as a Dynamics CRM developer - and it was a perfect fit.

"During the interview that told me what they did and about Microsoft Dynamics CRM and how it works," he said. "I had never even heard of a Microsoft product called Dynamics CRM."

But that changed soon enough.

"Once I took the job, they ramp you up as fast as possible and do a lot of training,"  Scarlavai said. "The first thing we do is get certified in the CRM products. So you kind of get thrown into it a little bit."

Currently, Scarlavai is certified in Dynamics CRM 3.0. However, he's worked on all the versions of the application and is looking forward to getting certified in Dynamics CRM 2013.

As a developer at Sonoma Partners, Scarlavai job is focused on a range ...