You deserve a partner who understands your data from the inside out, not just the buzzwords and trending gimmicks.
Straight Path has spent fifteen plus years helping organizations keep their SQL Servers healthy, secure, and fast. It’s what built our reputation and still drives most of what we do today. Our SQL Server consulting and DBA team has a combined 200+ years of experience working with SQL Server, writing books, speaking at conferences, and troubleshooting all manner of SQL Server challenges.
Data doesn’t stop at SQL Server or the relational databases, though – especially today. It lives across clouds, apps, warehouses, and analytics platforms, carrying more responsibility than ever. That’s why our mission can’t stop “at the DBA” role.
We’ll always be DBAs at heart, but we’re also data advocates helping clients build reliability, trust, and direction into all their data systems. From quick-hit performance fixes to long-term governance and AI readiness, we help teams protect what matters most and plan for what’s next.
At Straight Path, service and stewardship aren’t buzzwords. They’re the way we work, treating every client’s data as if it were our own, and making sure our work leaves people and systems better than we found them.
Our Pledge is simple: Data matters. People matter. Relationships matter.
With every decision we ask, “Is this at least as good for you as it is for us?” If yes, we move on. If not, we keep iterating until it is.
We’re not a faceless firm. We join your team; we don’t outsource your trust. We’re passionate about protecting data, improving performance, and helping you derive real business value from your systems.
Straight Path Solutions exists to serve with integrity, excellence, and care. Let us be your data advocates.
Straight Path has been a great partner for us. We’re thrilled to have Tara as part of our extended team. Having a senior DBA as your primary technical resource instead of an account manager means our questions and issues are addressed quickly and efficiently. The fact that our lead DBA, Tara, is also a great mentor who helps us get better over time is an added bonus.
– Michael Lockwood, Mattamy Home Builders
Meet the Straight Path Team
We’re the SQL Server experts trusted by more than a hundred clients to keep their systems healthy – and their data meaningful.
A remote-first team of SQL Server DBAs, consultants, and data professionals spread across the United States who’ve seen just about every problem a database can throw at you. Our group includes former Microsoft MVPs, published authors, and speakers who share one goal – helping clients keep their data reliable, fast, and secure. Together, we bring hundreds of years of combined experience to every environment we touch.
Mike Walsh
Founder | CEO
Mike founded Straight Path after two decades in SQL Server DBA and consulting roles. A long-time SQL Server expert, community leader, speaker, and former Microsoft MVP, he built the company to combine deep technical excellence with personal integrity and service. Today, Mike focuses on vision, mentorship, and ensuring Straight Path stays true to its mission of being the most trusted team of SQL Server and data professionals anywhere.
Loves tackling: SQL Server performance issues, disaster recovery design and architecture, data strategy, client communication, and building high-trust, values-first teams.
Evan Corbett
Operations Manager
Evan originally joined Straight Path in 2019 and worked in the support team up until mid-2021. In 2021, he decided he wanted to take a stab at the world of technology sales and left for a short time to work in that industry. He quickly realized, however, that he missed the intentional relationships Straight Path builds with its customers and the comradery within the team, so he made his way back in late 2021. He enjoys solving problems and making the load lighter in any way he can for anyone he works with, whether that is a customer or a member of the Straight Path team, and enjoys working to improve internal processes to make things run more smoothly than they did the day before.
When Evan isn’t working, he’s spending time either working out, riding his motorcycles, or relaxing on the water somewhere.
Buck Woody
Chief Data Officer
Buck Woody is our Chief Data Officer. He comes to us by way of Microsoft where he was working as an Applied Data Scientist working on the Azure Data Services team and used data and technology to solve business and science problems. With over 39 years of professional and practical experience in computer technology, he is also a popular speaker at conferences around the world and author of over 700 articles and nine books on databases, machine learning, and R. He also sits on various Data Science Boards at two US universities and specializes in advanced data analysis techniques. He is passionate about mentoring and growing the next generation of data professionals.
Jack Corbett
Senior SQL Server Consultant/DBA
Jack loves teaching a client how to write better-performing database code because he gets to see folks develop a better understanding of how SQL works and watching their customers or users benefit from the improved experience and responsiveness as a result of those lessons being applied.
He began working with SQL Server, Access, and VB in 1999 when he served an apprenticeship with a good friend who was the software development manager at the local paper mill. He found his niche and has concentrated on SQL Server development and administration since late 2000. He has worked with SQL Server through version 2017 and was a Microsoft MVP for SQL Server from October 2011 to October 2016. Jack has presented at many user groups and SQLSaturday events. Jack joined Straight Path as a senior consultant helping focus on both the Database Administration practice and Database Development practice. His background and combination of skills made him a perfect “crossover” resource with strengths in both areas.
Tara Kizer
Senior SQL Server Consultant/DBA
Tara loves working on performance problems. If users are complaining about the system being suddenly slow, she wants to troubleshoot it and save the day.
She started working on SQL Server in 1996 when she was a student worker in the DBA team at the County of San Diego. She was hired full time as a Junior DBA when she graduated from college. The rest is history as they say.
She was a Microsoft MVP for SQL Server from July 2007 to July 2017. She answered thousands of questions on SQLTeam.com, which led to her being awarded and renewed for 10 years.
When Tara isn’t working, she is spending time with her family or hiking.
Jeff Iannucci
Senior SQL Server Consultant/DBA
Jeff loves to help others save time. Whether improving query performance or reducing downtime for maintenance tasks or migrations, he’s not only passionate about discovering ways to save our most valuable resource, but also about sharing what he’s learned.
Starting as an accidental DBA in 1998, Jeff has worked extensively with SQL Server database design, administration, and T-SQL development. He appreciates any opportunity to share his knowledge with the community, and has been presenting at user groups and writing blog posts since 2018. He was chosen as an IDERA ACE for 2020, and in 2021 became an author for Pluralsight.
When not resolving database issues, he enjoys watching Indycar racing, attending Arizona Diamondbacks and Phoenix Suns games, and cooking Italian food for his wife and four children.
Sandra Delany
Senior SQL Server Consultant/DBA
Sandra actually loves making documentation! She especially enjoys working with SQL Server High Availability Technologies.
Sandra started with Straight Path in April as a Senior SQL Server Consultant. She started her career supporting Local Area Networks, troubleshooting network, hardware and software problems. She decided to take classes learning Oracle and got certified. Around that same time, she had the opportunity to learn SQL Server and stayed with it ever since. She has many many years of SQL Server database experience as an application DBA/developer and production DBA in the private and public sector supporting multiple clients. She has experience with SQL Server 7.0-2019 (SSIS, SSRS, SSAS) and Visual Studio 2005/2008/2010. She recently received her Microsoft Certified Professional Cloud Platform certification.
Mike Lynn
Senior SQL Server Consultant/DBA
Mike got his start in computers in college after taking a class about Excel for an accounting major. After that class, he started taking more computer science courses and decided to change majors. After graduation, Mike took a job in Little Rock, AR as a Developer / DBA. The job was working with a .net 1.1 application, a SQL Server 2000 backend, and Microsoft Access/SSRS as the reporting tools. Mike quickly learned how much he enjoyed working with databases and has never looked back. The parts he enjoys most are helping people solve their pain points with data, whether that is helping with a performance problem or designing a new system to solve a particular need. He also enjoys automating work because it allows the person who was doing the work more time to focus on new business problems. Mike has worked with every major version of SQL Server since 2000, with the majority of his time spent on the 2008 R2, 2014, and 2016 releases of SQL Server.
When Mike is not working, he enjoys cooking, spending time with family, and being outdoors. When the weather is good, he and his family spend as much time outside as possible; swimming, riding bikes, walking local nature trails, and spending time with friends.
Andrew Kelly
Senior SQL Server Consultant/DBA
He began his SQL Server career when SQL 7.0 was in Beta and has been passionate about it ever since. He landed a job early on with one of the larger SQL Server databases at the time and quickly learned how the inner workings of the SQL and storage engines allow larger databases to perform at their best. He was first recognized as a Microsoft SQL Server MVP in 2001 and again each year for 19 additional years. He also enjoys speaking at various conferences all around the world to share his knowledge.
In his off time, he enjoys riding in his side-by-side RZR and RV camping.
Jordan Boich
Senior SQL Server Consultant/DBA
Jordan’s passion falls in line with performance tuning. Whether it be a single slow query, or an entire SQL Server, Jordan loves jumping into the fire to make any environment run faster and more efficiently.
Starting his journey as an intentional DBA in 2019, Jordan started off working at a student job as a DBA at Arizona State University. From there he began his professional career as a Junior DBA wearing many hats growing to function as both a Production DBA and a Developmental DBA. No matter what position or role he needs to own, Jordan is a team player and will do his best to make sure that the goals his team is after get achieved.
When not learning and growing his skill set as a DBA, he spends his free time playing PC games with friends and family. When he’s not doing that, he’s quoting lines from his favorite movies.
Warren DePartee
SQL Server DBA
I love installing and configuring SQL servers and going through my checklist to ensure everything is set up correctly (the first time!). That incredible feeling of fresh post-install before data is loaded. It’s like standing in a brand-new stadium before the first big game. So clean, so perfect.
I started working with SQL server in 2018 at a Managed Service Provider while answering phones on the helpdesk. SQL piqued my interest, and after a few years of shadowing a few Sr DBAs, I took on the role of Jr DBA, adding to my knowledge of SQL Server, and was even introduced to a few other RDBMS’s. As a DBA at an MSP (when I wasn’t putting out fires), I worked on installing new SQL environments with monitoring, backups, and maintenance. I worked hard to document and automate these processes to help eliminate human error.
David Seis
Data Developer
David Seis is our Data and PowerBI developer. He joined Straight Path in the summer of 2021. His goal is to work in an area that he believes helps others, and to do it to the best of his ability. He loves to help, solve problems, and make things easy for others to understand. Because of this he is lovingly known as a “Good helper” among friends and family. Outside of work, he has a growing passion for cybersecurity, specifically helping protect those who are most vulnerable to fraud, scams, and phishing. He looks forward to learning more about each of his clients, helping minimize issues, and ensure that any problems are solved quickly.
Alyssa Montgomery
Junior SQL Server DBA
Alyssa loves supporting customers in whatever way she can. She enjoys troubleshooting and handling errors and is still discovering her niche as a DBA.
Alyssa went to graduate school for school psychology and worked as a school psychologist for the first 6 years of her professional career. As COVID changed the educational landscape, Alyssa, with the help of her dad (who’s been a DBA for 20+ years), studied SQL and learned enough to land her first job in tech working for the City of Rochester. In that role, she learned and grew a lot, and is now bringing those skills to Straight Path to support customers.
Outside of work, Alyssa enjoys spending time with her family, doing activities outside, listening to audiobooks, baking, and participating in general nonsense and tomfoolery with her mom.
Bruce Campbell
Junior SQL Server DBA
Bruce originally went to school for Accounting but developed a friendship with some of the Computer Science teachers and realized that he wanted to try something new. He always loved taking things apart to see how they work so working in code or other CS-related fields allowed Bruce to do that and hopefully make a career out of it. He started working in Application Support roles but soon realized that he wanted to dig into the deeper end and see things from both the user side and developer side. He loves to analyze and see where the problem is and then work to understand it better before ultimately finding the solution.
When Bruce is not working, he likes to read and play video games and when it’s warm out he tries to stay active outside with walks and even taking his usual workouts outdoors to enjoy the sun. Bruce also tries to find time to learn new things, such as new software or a new programming language to see what he likes about it. He also is known to try new a new operating system occasionally when he finds one that he likes. His most recent one has been Pop!_OS, a Linux variant that he has really grown to love.
David Rudolph
Junior SQL Server DBA
David joined the Straight Path team in June of 2024 to begin his SQL Server career, after several years working in other areas of the IT industry. He works as a member of our support team and has already expanded his SQL Server knowledge and skills considerably.
David has a passion for adventure and a deep appreciation for family. When he’s not immersed in his work, you can find David exploring New Hampshire’s breathtaking 4000 ft mountains, paddleboarding in the summer, or snowmobiling in the winter. His adventurous spirit extends beyond his hobbies, too; David is also an Army veteran who proudly served a tour in Afghanistan.
Last year, David and his wife, Hannah, recently welcomed their first child, a daughter, adding even more joy to their lives. David’s passion for adventure, family, and exploration defines who he is and continues to drive him in both his personal and professional endeavors.
Anthony Boich
Junior SQL Server DBA
Anthony joins Straight Path Solutions after 20+ years of IT experience. He got his start in the world of technology by earning a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems in the early 2000’s. He has worked in the consulting world for Fortune 500 companies and has gained a passion for fostering and building relationships. Anthony went back to school to earn his MBA which allowed him to enhance his leadership skills. Anthony has functioned in roles from support to management in both the educational and corporate realm and has acquired a valuable knowledge and skill set that translates seamlessly into the consulting world. Anthony enjoys being part of and leading teams with the common goal of success.
When Anthony isn’t working, he enjoys working out, spending time with his family and watching his favorite team, the Los Angeles Lakers!
Alex Martinez
Support Analyst
Alex joined Straight Path in June of this year. As a member of the support team, he has continued to build up his knowledge and toolbelt, working with SQL Server.
Shortly before joining the team, Alex earned his MS in Information Technology from Arizona State University. During his studies, Alex found that he enjoyed working with data and grew curious to see how database technologies are used to solve problems. This, along with his passion for helping others, made Straight Path a great fit to launch his SQL Server career.
Outside of work, Alex enjoys working out, playing video games, and keeping up with his favorite NBA team, the Phoenix Suns.
Sheila Welch
Office Administrator
Sheila enjoys walking new clients through our onboarding process, making it as simple and easy as possible for them. She gets a kick out of making other people smile.
Sheila keeps Straight Path running smoothly behind the scenes. She manages the details that hold everything together – from onboarding new clients to supporting the team and keeping our operations humming. With a background in administration and a deep care for people, she’s the friendly, reliable presence that keeps us organized and sane.
Outside of work, Sheila finds joy in time with her family, faith, and community – the same values she brings into every part of her work at Straight Path.
A Bit More About Us
We started with one person – Mike Walsh – and have grown carefully, client by client and team member by team member, through relationships and trust. Our mindset hasn’t changed since day one: put clients first, team first, and growth second. We say “hello” to new faces often, but rarely have to say “goodbye.” That steady, relationship-first approach has shaped a team and client family that keeps choosing to work together year after year.
Our Clients
We think of our clients as family, and we mean that. We celebrate their wins, root for their success, and strive to be the steady, trusted partner who makes their data work for them. Some have full DBA teams and need a second set of eyes. Others have “accidental DBAs” who need help steering the ship. All rely on us for the same thing: honest advice, dependable expertise, and a team that truly cares about their success.
Why “Straight Path”?
The name comes from Mike’s faith journey, a calling to walk a straight path after experiencing grace he didn’t earn and wasn’t looking for. Through Straight Path, he hopes to honor God through excellent, fair, and honest work. Not everyone on our team shares that same faith background, and that’s okay. What unites us is a shared belief that everyone deserves to be treated fairly and with respect, no matter who or what they believe.
“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”
— Colossians 3:23–24
Our Guiding Principles
At our core, we try to live by a simple truth: love your neighbor. To us, “neighbor” means everyone — clients, partners, competitors, and each other. We act according to our values in every decision: integrity, generosity, hospitality, ownership mentality, and humility. There’s no penalty for doing what’s right for a client, even if it’s inconvenient for us. We’ve chased relationships and values more than revenue — and found the revenue followed anyway. That’s why we’re 18 strong and growing.
Relationships matter. Your data matters. People matter most.