Jamie Pell has been appointed as a Committer to the CloudStack project. In this written interview, he shares insights into his contributions beyond code, offers advice for newcomers looking to get involved, discusses the value of companies sharing their CloudStack use cases, and more.
Introduce yourself in a few words and what your job role/company is
Hi, I'm Jamie. I work as the Digital Marketing Lead at ShapeBlue, the world's largest integrator of Apache CloudStack technologies and a well-known name within the CloudStack community. In my role, I lead a range of digital initiatives including content creation (both video and written), social media strategy, web design and development, SEO, and end-to-end digital marketing campaigns. I’m also very involved in supporting and promoting the wider CloudStack community, applying the same expertise to help drive awareness and growth to the project.
What are some key projects and developments you have worked on and are currently working on?
A project which I finished earlier this year was the new CloudStack Collaboration Conference website, leading the project end to end. The goal was to deliver a modern, user-friendly site that better reflects the scale and significance of the conference, the most important event in the CloudStack calendar. Updating the design was especially important, as the event continues to grow in size and interest each year, and the website serves as the first point of contact for attendees, sponsors, and the wider community.
Much of my current work is focused on upcoming events, such as this year’s CloudStack Collaboration Conference. My responsibilities cover the full event cycle. From promoting registrations and the call for presentations, securing sponsorships, onboarding new sponsors and coordinating on-site arrangements to ensure everything runs smoothly throughout the event.
Beyond writing code, what other forms of contribution would most benefit the CloudStack project?
One of the most noticeable needs in the CloudStack community today is ensuring that the project website is consistently updated to reflect the pace of technological progress. The website serves as the first point of contact for many potential users, contributors, and decision-makers. By keeping it aligned with the latest features, trends, and advancements in CloudStack, we not only provide accurate information but also demonstrate that the project is vibrant, active, and continually evolving.
I think refreshed website content and more regular solutions briefs & case studies all help inform and attract both adopters and contributors. When companies share their CloudStack use cases, the entire ecosystem benefits. Each story exposes the community to different infrastructures, environments, and real-world challenges.
How do companies benefit when sharing their Use Case?
By sharing their approach, companies build a reputation as a trusted reference point in the community, while their colleagues involved in the work are often seen as thought leaders, providing real-world insights that others can learn from. Sharing use cases also provides a platform to reinforce important principles such as avoiding vendor lock-in, achieving cost efficiency, ensuring scalability, enabling flexibility, and the list goes on.
What is your approach to working with a community that’s spread across the globe?
I collaborate with the community primarily through the mailing lists, which are the central communication channels for Apache CloudStack. That’s where most of the discussions take place, and it’s a great way to stay connected with contributors across the world. I also engage a lot through community events, which provide the chance to meet people face-to-face, share ideas, and strengthen relationships. Many contributors and project members are also very active in GitHub discussions, though I personally participate less there since my focus is more on the marketing and community outreach side of the project.