Open Letter to Network World’s John Dix

This just came in from Eman (CCIE Flyer). Looks like some people at NW has a lot of free time ...

In 2007 I was asked to join the SRS Program by the head of Worldwide Channels of Cisco Systems. I had been written several articles that were then rewritten by one of the writers for Network World’s Cisco Subnet. Some might call the type of rewrites done of my articles as plagiarism but I was not really thinking in those terms. I was getting the word out that I was a singly focused recruiter, looking to help CCIEs with their careers. I was at the first Cisco Second Life career fair and my antics there attracted the largest crowd of any of the other companies present that were recruiting Cisco Talent. My avatar owns several guitars and at the career fair I had him playing at my booth. There was dancing and other cool stuff from the crowd there. I was given a robot band by one attendee and several really odd looking avatars joined in and jammed with mine. It was all in great fun and soon the folks at Cisco were thanking me for being a part of this event. I participated in one of the first real career fairs hosted by Cisco in Boston and a part of the new initiative called the SRS (Strategic Recruitment Solutions) program. Because I had already given some of my time to the Cisco Network Academy, the folks in the talent initiative thought I would be a good addition to the effort. I was on the phone constantly with one of the Network World Cisco Subnet contributors and one day while we were talking I shared how I wanted to stay focused on recruiting CCIEs as a focus and he thought it was a great idea. I shared the thought of becoming a career agent instead of simply a recruiter and this also received a positive response and kudos as a great idea.

So my journey began as the CCIE Agent™

I filed for the Trademark rights for the term CCIE Agent™ and threw myself into this completely, like no other decision in my IT Career I decided to apply all my energies into this completely new and original endeavor. Then I left a channel partner to join Bridge Resourcing in London, a big leap for a simple boy from West Dallas, Texas. The folks at Cisco, who manage the SRS initiative, made me a part of the agendas for various Talent Forums around the world doing presentations about CCIEs. My journey took me places I had never even dreamed of going as a recruiter. Athens, Cairo, Zurich, San Jose, London, Brussels, Atlanta, Johannesburg, and Dubai have been locations where we have spread the word about CCIEs.

This activity has blessed me with the chance to present to Cisco Network Academy students giving them the opportunity to ask questions about their career choices and me the opportunity to tell them about the world. This has consistently been the most gratifying part of my journey, helping kids. Then I was called by a network engineer refugee from Iraq. The article I had written about him in the CCIE Flyer had saved his family from slaughter in Lebanon and he wanted to tell me how it had come about. I was blindsided by this news. I had no idea that what I was doing could have that kind of result. Then in January I started CCIEs without Borders/Network Engineers for peace. A concept I had to give free network engineer support to the poorest organizations such as schools and hospitals in troubled or destitute areas. Three dozen CCIEs and Network Engineers from around the world joined and made themselves available to help.

I am not Mother Teresa

No I am not likely to be canonized but the chance to help is magnetic and I have been polarized by the network I am a part of. Yet I do conduct myself positively during these times of turmoil I am an optimist after all. So I have always tried to make sure that those who are in the most need get the most attention. I am limited in my exposure and influence to a community of Network Engineers and Cisco Channel Partners. I cannot fix the problems of our world.
I have become vulnerable in a space on the ether where many people with their own agendas and designs will say and do as they will. Network World Magazine has seen fit to attack my character, my initiatives and my reputation in articles in their Cisco Subnet an area managed by you Mr. John Dix and one of your co-workers Mr. Jeff Caruso. Since you have seen fit to attack me and my work I would like to know why.

Why?

Why do you allow content slanderous to my reputation and then leave it up long enough to draw readers only to pull it down as if it had never been posted? Why without an acknowledgement of its negative and insidious nature without an apology? Why when the lies were proven did you then not respond to my emails about this activity and conduct yourself as if no wrong had ever been perpetrated? Why did Mr. Jeff Caruso email me in 2008 several times telling me he would investigate and get back to me only to stop communicating with me? Why did you yourself Mr. John Dix also promise a response and then also disappear? Is this because Network World and your representatives’ stated goal of causing my business injury is also your goal?
It is my opinion that you are shameless professionals Mr. Dix and Mr. Caruso, with no honor if you can make commitments without keeping them. When others have been slandered on your forum you gauge your response to the harm it has done by readership, rather than social right or wrong.
I await your response to the questions above about why you are allowing attacks on me to ever have been allowed on your forum.