Jamie as committer blog

blog/2025-09-24-JamiePell-committer/index.md

@@ -0,0 +1,94 @@
+---
+layout: post
+title: New ACS Committer, Jamie Pell gives his thoughts on the current state of the project
+tags: [community]
+authors: [ivet]
+slug: jamie-pell-committer
+---
+
+![](Banner.png "Blog Header Image")
+
+
+[Jamie Pell](https://www.linkedin.com/in/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.
+
+<!-- truncate -->
+
+##### 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](https://www.shapeblue.com/), 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](https://www.cloudstackcollab.org/) 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](https://www.cloudstackcollab.org/). 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](https://cloudstack.apache.org/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.