Microsoft Dynamics Profile: A timely MVP award as CRM pro builds his own business

 Aiden Kaskela (center) and other "Medics" at D365UG/CRMUG Summit 2017

Before finding his way to the world of Dynamics CRM/365, newly awarded Microsoft MVP Aiden Kaskela was in the midst of a six year run with the Pennsylvania Air National Guard working on cryptographic and networking systems for deployed units.

Kaskela, who has been programming since he was in high school, was first introduced to Dynamics CRM by his best friend, who also turned him on to his first employer in the space.

"I was fairly young at the time, maybe 24, so at that point in my career I wasn't thinking about which industry I wanted to focus on," he says. "I was more focused on working and the type of development as opposed to the specific platforms. But over time, as I got more familiar with Dynamics CRM, I came to really appreciate and love it and I've spent my career doing it."

Kaskela's MVP award comes at an important stage of his career. After several years working for a Microsoft partner, he now works as a Dynamics 365 developer and contractor as founder of Kaskela Solutions Inc. in Alexandria, Virginia.

"Personally, being named an MVP is validation that I put in a lot of effort and try to contribute as best I can and people recognize that," he says. "So it's very rewarding in that sense."

The Journey Begins

Kaskela began his career ...