Hello, I'm
James Ferebee
SQL Server Expert. Technical Leader. Problem Solver. Turning complex problems into scalable solutions.
About Me
I'm James Ferebee — a seasoned Beta and Escalation Engineer at Microsoft with over a decade of hands-on experience in SQL Server troubleshooting, debugging, and performance engineering. I specialize in dissecting critical, high-impact issues across enterprise environments and delivering clear, actionable solutions under pressure. My career is built on a foundation of technical depth, structured problem-solving, and a relentless drive for excellence. Beyond the day-to-day, I'm passionate about automation, building tools that eliminate friction, and mentoring engineers to raise the bar across the board. Whether it's a complex dump analysis, an availability group failover mystery, or a personal project, I approach every challenge with the same meticulous attention to detail and hands-on curiosity.
Skills & Technologies
Software Experience
SQL Server & Data
Azure & Cloud
Migration & Upgrades
Tools & Debugging
Leadership & Problem Solving
Experience
Beta & Escalation Engineer
Microsoft
Lead critical escalation investigations for SQL Server across enterprise customers. Perform deep-dive debugging using dump analysis, performance profiling, and log correlation. Drive resolutions for high-severity availability, replication, and engine issues while mentoring junior engineers.
Support Escalation Engineer
Microsoft
Provided advanced technical support for SQL Server High Availability, Replication, and installation/upgrade scenarios. Developed PowerShell-based automation tools to accelerate diagnostic workflows and reduce case resolution times.
Support Engineer
Microsoft
Delivered frontline technical support for SQL Server customers covering performance issues, connectivity, and configuration. Built foundational expertise in T-SQL, Windows Server, and enterprise database environments.
Bachelor of Science
Texas A&M University
Earned a B.S. degree focusing on technology and problem-solving fundamentals. Developed strong analytical skills and a passion for software. Academic projects and collaborative research.
Projects
Personal Portfolio Website
A modern, responsive developer portfolio built with Express, EJS, and vanilla CSS. Features a dark theme, smooth scroll animations, a skills bar grid, timeline-based experience, and a CAPTCHA-protected contact form.
SQL Diagnostic Toolkit
A collection of PowerShell scripts and T-SQL queries for rapid SQL Server health checks, performance baselines, and replication troubleshooting used during escalation engagements.