Asset & Facilities Management

Hey there! 👋

It’s Aine here, your favourite Community Manager and a Program Manager for IBM Champions. 

I’m absolutely honored to introduce the 2025 class of IBM Champions from the areas closest to my heart: Asset & Lifecycle Management (Maximo, Envizi, EI) and Application Development & Integration (Data Exchange & Engineering).

Now, don’t get me wrong—I didn’t make these champions. Their brilliance, passion, and impact? That’s all them. Being a champion isn’t something you just become; it’s an innate quality, a drive to push boundaries, share knowledge, and lift others up. I simply had the privilege of witnessing it firsthand and playing a small part in recognizing it.

This year’s IBM Champions list features over 1,400 tech advocates worldwide, and I’m especially proud of those representing Asset & Lifecycle Management and Application Development & Integration.

These folks? They’re not just experts. They’re the heartbeat of our community—mentors, thought leaders, and connectors who go beyond their day jobs to inspire those around them. They didn’t need a title to prove that; it’s simply who they are.

Want to meet them all? Check out our brand-new 2025 IBM Champion Directory!

Why This Means So Much to Me 🤗

I’m still smiling thinking about the nomination process. For weeks, my colleagues and I poured over applications, reading story after story of dedication, advocacy, and innovation. It was a tough job—but oh, so rewarding.

Because here’s the thing: while I’m thrilled to have had a part in choosing this year’s champions, their champion spirit chose them long before we did. I’m just glad we could spotlight it.

And I have to say, the connections I’ve made— at User Group meetings, and at the TechXchange conference - mean the world to me. Their stories? They stay with you.  

Heres some of the amazing 2025 Champions I've had the pleasure to meet over the last 18 months ⭐️

 

• 🇫🇷Nicolas DESCAMPS – Nicholas is the Data-Accelerator founder, a tool which enables the rapid & high quality implementation of a data model specifically designed for the operational and decision-making management of IBM Maximo

• 🇬🇧Mark Robbins - Mark is an AppRuntimes Champion, but also an established Maximo developer/support lead with a background as a Java/ORACLE developer.  Mark works closely with the IBM Maximo Application Suite developers to help ensure that the customers needs are met and to promote Cohesive's needs. Mark has given a series of webinars/presentations for the UK & Ireland Maximo User Group on how to make Maximo, and its related components, easier to support.
• 🇬🇧Richard Barber – Richard is a Maintenance Systems Lead Engineer and SME for works management at Drax Power Station, the largest single site renewable generator in the UK and the largest decarbonisation project in Europe.  As a Maximo user since 2014, he's been involved in all manner of upgrades and improvements to the way Drax use the system, converting business requests into noughts and ones and noughts and ones into business language!  Since 2017 he's chaired the Maximo UK & Ireland User Group with a healthy membership of over 800 members. They hold two meetings per year regularly attracting over 100 attendees. 

• 🇳🇱🇬🇧Andrew Jeffrey – Andrew is a well respected Maximo SME globally. Andrew is the owner of the website: Maximo Secrets where he has a global reach to Maximo users who make use of the knowledge Andrew has put together.

• 🇦🇹🇨🇭Johann Rumpl – Johann is Co-Founder and CEO of EAM Swiss Ltd., a Consultancy Company for IBM Enterprise Asset Management solutions. He’s also Member of the Board of EAM MaaS AG. He was born and raised in Austria (no Kangaroos), lives in Berne/Switzerland, loves to travel and has lead implementation Projects all over the world.

A Huge Thanks to Our Champions 💯🙏

To our 2025 IBM Champions in Asset & Lifecycle Management and Application Development & Integration: You are what makes this community thrive. Your unwavering dedication, innovative spirit, and willingness to share knowledge inspire us all.

Being named a champion is simply a reflection of who you already are—leaders, visionaries, and builders. Every connection you make, every challenge you tackle, and every insight you share adds something immeasurable to our ecosystem.

Final Thoughts

To all the IBM Champions: I’m genuinely humbled and proud to have witnessed your journeys. Being part of the process that shines a light on your work has been a privilege. But make no mistake—you were always champions. Your drive, your generosity, and your vision made it inevitable.

Here’s to a year filled with bold ideas, groundbreaking collaborations, and unforgettable memories. I can’t wait to see what we achieve together.

See you at TechXchange 2025 in Orlando! 🚀

Continue the Celebration! 🎉

Meet them all: Dive into the 2025 IBM Champions Directory to connect with our Champions!

Get inspired: Check out Libby Ingrassia’s Blog for more on this year’s class.

Hang live: Don’t miss the Meet & Celebrate IBM Champions webinar on March 5th 2025 (11:00 AM ET)—Q&A with the experts!