It's hard to believe that more than 4 decades have passed since I wrote my 1st COBOL program on punched cards.
Today, after more than 42 years in IT, including 37 years and 2 months at Oracle, it's time to begin a new chapter:
#retirement.
Looking back, I realize how fortunate I've been to witness—and be part of—one of the most extraordinary periods in the history of information technology.
My journey began during my military service in the French Air Force, where I worked with COBOL on punched cards and Bull mainframes. A few years later, while working on an EDF project, I discovered Oracle Database Version 4, SQL and SQL*Forms (then called FastForm). Coming from hierarchical databases and mainframe development, it felt like a revolution.
In April 1989, after working alongside Oracle engineers, I was offered the opportunity to join
#Oracle as a Pre-Sales Engineer to help launch the Strasbourg office. I didn't hesitate for a second.
A few years later, I moved to Luxembourg to help establish Oracle's local office. What I appreciated most there was its truly international environment. Working with colleagues, customers and partners from many different countries broadened both my professional and personal horizons.
Although my career evolved from consulting and pre-sales into sales and Partner Management, I never lost my passion for technology. That combination of technical and business experience helped me build lasting relationships with customers and partners throughout my career.
People often ask how I stayed with the same company for more than 37 years. The answer is simple: Oracle never stopped reinventing itself. I had the privilege of experiencing the rise of relational databases, client-server computing, the Internet, cloud computing and now Artificial Intelligence.
Technology has never just been my profession—it has always been my passion. As a "weekend developer," I still enjoy building applications with Oracle APEX
#orclapex and following the latest AI innovations. Even in retirement, I plan to keep developing applications for non-profit organizations and stay connected to the Oracle technologies that have been such an important part of my life.
I feel incredibly fortunate to have started my career in the era of punched cards and to finish it in the age of Artificial Intelligence.
A special thought goes to my 2 daughters,
Emma Moriceau and
Elsa Moriceau, who have both chosen careers in IT and cybersecurity. Tomorrow, it will be their turn to write the next chapters of this amazing technological adventure. I wish them the same passion, curiosity, opportunities and friendships that have made my own career so fulfilling.
As I leave Oracle, I do so with countless memories and deep gratitude for all the colleagues, managers, customers and partners I have had the privilege to work with over the past 37 years. Many have become true friends.
Thank you to everyone who has been part of this incredible journey.
See you again... in a different way.