Happy 2026 from the New to Nonstop (N2NS) Committee! We hope you all had a lovely festive break. For this month’s column, and in the spirit of January, we’re focusing on “New Year, New Goals.” As New to Nonstop (N2NS), our purpose is to act as a visible, reliable pillar in the Nonstop community: supporting newcomers, connecting long‑time Nonstop veterans, and accelerating the transfer of practical knowledge across HPE, vendors and customers. Our two core aims are simple but essential — to build a welcoming, accessible and collaborative community, and to capture, curate and share the deep operational and product expertise that keeps Nonstop environments running and evolving.
That mission matters now more than ever. Across gatherings such as TBC and TUGs, and within many organisations, there is growing unease about the talent pipeline for Nonstop. Experienced engineers and administrators are retiring or changing roles, and new hires often struggle to access the informal, hands‑on knowledge that veterans treat as second nature. By serving as a central hub for mentoring, networking, and practical knowledge sharing, N2NS helps protect continuity.
Over the past year we have deliberately developed both a virtual and in‑person presence to create structural support across the ecosystem. Our LinkedIn group has grown rapidly and become a weekly touchpoint for announcements and events. This year, we’re encouraging our members to use the group to build their network, share industry and company news, and have a space to ask the “silly” (but essential) questions. It is now one of the easiest ways to tap into the community; if you’re not already a member you can join here: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13179042/ and please share the group with colleagues, customers, and friends who may benefit.
In‑person events also returned strongly in 2025 and look promising for 2026. While Teams calls handle most interactions, face‑to‑face meetings create a different kind of exchange — deeper mentoring conversations, and the informal network building that strengthens the whole community. We hope to see many of you at GTUG in April and TBC in September. Look out for a N2NS session during the show and a social, networking event during one of the evenings.
Knowledge sharing sits at the heart of what we do, and our monthly rotary sessions on Teams are a practical example. These sessions bring product demos, career journeys and operational walkthroughs to the community in a format that’s easy to attend and immediately useful. Recent sessions included TIC Software, where Phil Ly and Gabriela Claure shared their career paths, TIC’s portfolio and how the AI Navigator tool can drive Nonstop modernisation, and a December session where Committee members Paden Holenstein and Vedant “Vito” Shrivastava walked through what it takes to be a product manager — strategy, tactics, daily realities, and what drives success. We’re excited to welcome XYPRO CEO Steve Tcherchian for our January session; he will speak about moving from technical roles into executive leadership, how to develop the skills and mindset to grow your career, and how organisations can stay ahead of evolving customer and partner needs. If you missed any sessions, recordings are available at youtube.com/@NewToNonstop.
One of the most impactful ways we preserve and grow expertise is through mentorship. In the Nonstop world, lived experience and tacit knowledge often teach more than any manual, so structured mentoring accelerates learning, helps newcomers avoid costly mistakes, and builds confidence. We piloted a mentor/mentee program pairing Karen Chappel (Raymond James) with Leon Arens (First National Bank of Omaha). Shauna Evans, Nonstop Sales Specialist and N2NS Committee member, shared:
“I’ve had the privilege of working with some amazing mentors in my career that have each taught me so much and have been key to my development.
What makes the N2NS mentor matching program special is that it goes beyond connecting early career talent with experienced Nonstop users across the ecosystem. We want to create a space where newcomers can get 1:1 support from people outside their existing network, and to have the opportunity to gain guidance and insights when navigating tricky challenges throughout their career.”
If you are interested in becoming a mentor or a mentee, please sign up at: https://forms.gle/QgkpswtEaQGuvH1U6.
There are many ways to get involved and every contribution helps strengthen the ecosystem. Newcomers can accelerate their learning curve by tapping into real‑world tips, whilst experienced Nonstop professionals can give back by mentoring, presenting in rotary sessions or contributing runbooks — activities that sharpen leadership skills and expand professional networks. Employers and vendors who engage can help build a healthier talent pipeline, reduce recruitment risk, and demonstrate commitment to the platform’s future. If you would like to present a session or share a case study, contact us at newtononstop@gmail.com.
New to Nonstop is committed to being a sustaining pillar for the community — sharing knowledge, growing talent and connecting people across organisations and geographies. Whether you’re starting out, have decades of experience, or represent an organisation that depends on Nonstop, your involvement matters. Join our LinkedIn group at https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13179042/, sign up for mentorship at https://forms.gle/QgkpswtEaQGuvH1U6, catch up on rotary recordings at www.youtube.com/@NewToNonstop, or email us at newtononstop@gmail.com. Wishing you a productive and successful 2026 — we look forward to seeing you in the group, at an event, or in a mentoring session soon.
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