Board Elections 2024: Meet the Candidates

I am passionate about open source technology and its potential to impact positively on people’s lives. I am also very committed to opening up opportunities for people through education and training.

I have worked as a manager, management consultant, project co-ordinator, lecturer and trainer as well as Director-General of a Centre of Excellence in Technology. This last responsibility gave me insights into the challenges facing those training for careers in technology, the real advantages of a background in FOSS and Linux, and the needs of those hiring in today’s work environment. Much of my career has been with the United Nations and I have also enjoyed stints within the private sector, not-for-profits as well as with Government. I have served on boards in all these contexts. This has allowed me to gain extensive managerial and board experience. My consulting work has also taught me a lot about how different types of businesses are run as well as the specific challenges of the not-for-profit sector. One of my favourite roles is working with start-ups and other technology entrepreneurs. I enjoy mentoring and I have actively engaged in supporting FOSS and Linux users/enthusiasts within West Africa including roles with FOSSFA when it existed.

I enjoy travel and getting to understand other contexts and cultures as well as working in cross-cultural teams. This is no doubt linked to my own multi-cultural background with roots in Africa and Ireland and strong ties to the UK and India. I speak often at conferences and use my platform to encourage the use of open source technologies. I apply a gender lens in my work and do my best to be sensitive to different types of diversity. I am a woman who tends to be goal driven and who enjoys challenges and change. I like to believe I have a great sense of humour.

LPI has a very clear mission “to promote open source and the people who work with it”. My motivation in running for the Board is to support the organisation to achieve that mission. I look forward to working with all stakeholders to expand the range of certifications available and the numbers and diversity among the people achieving those certifications.

I believe we can increase the diversity and numbers of people getting certified as well as make sure our certifications remain well-adapted to the realities of the job market. Although much progress has been achieved, our statistics reveal a situation that is not balanced by gender or region. I hope to work with my fellow board members to reduce those imbalances and improve the numbers particularly in Africa where things are just starting to pick up. To do this we will need to improve our track record by making certification available in some key languages. We also need to work on our understanding of specific needs and wants by region.

Our community is of immense value. Investing in it opens up more opportunities for strategic advocacy on open source technologies.

Oversight and governance issues are a key part of Board work. I hope to bring my experience from my work on a number of Boards, and as a manager to support a clean and green administration. My principle motivation in running for the Board is to make it possible for more people to get certified, find and retain jobs while continuing to grow professionally supported by the LPI network.

Klaus Knopper is an Electrical Engineer with a history of three decades of Unix (different brands) and especially Linux system administration and developer of customized Linux-based operating systems, passionate hardware+software tinkerer.

In his main job, Klaus is a regular professor for Software Engineering, IT Security, and informatics in the programs of Business Informatics / Information Management (Bachelor + Master) in the faculty of Business Economics and Vice President for Digitalization at the University of Applied Sciences Kaiserslautern / Germany. In his second job, Klaus continues to work as a software developer and consultant in the fields of Open Source systems and information security.

Klaus is located in Europe and in the German-speaking corner thereof, was a co-founder of the former LinuxTag expo and conference started in 1996, and speaker at various Linux-related events (Germany, USA, the UK, India).

In 2000, he presented the Live GNU/Linux system Knoppix at the Atlanta Linux Showcase. While Knoppix was rather targeted at developers and for software evaluation and hardware compatibility tests at that time, than at beginners, it helped many to gain experience with a Linux-based Desktop, or rescue data from defective other operating systems without modifying disks.

The ADRIANE accessibility extension of Knoppix allows blind computer users to get an easy start with Linux on a talking text console, with no or few sighted help needed.

Having been on the LPI board team during the past years, I would like to continue supporting the LPI governance andexchange thoughts and ideas on future development in our regular meetings.

Uirá Ribeiro is an esteemed figure within the IT and Linux communities, renowned for his extensive expertise andcontributions spanning over two decades. As a distinguished professor, author, and advocate, he has played a pivotal role inshaping the landscape of Linux professionalism in Brazil and beyond.

With a robust academic background in Computer Science, specializing in areas such as distributed systems, parallelcomputing, and cloud computing, Uira brings a deep understanding of the technical intricacies of Linux and Free and OpenSource Software (FOSS). His commitment to education is evidenced by his role as a professor, where he has dedicatedhimself to teaching and mentoring IT professionals to achieve LPI certification through his books and courses.

Uirá’s influence extends beyond the classroom, as he is widely recognized as a pioneer and reference in the field of Linuxcertification in Brazil. His groundbreaking work includes the publication of the book “Linux Certification” in 2005, which markedthe beginning of discussions on Linux certifications in the country. Since then, he has remained at the forefront of promotingLinux professionalism, advocating for the importance of certifications, and championing the principles of openness andcollaboration.

In addition to his academic and authorial endeavors, Uira is actively involved in the free software community, participating inconferences, workshops, and organizations like the Free Software Foundation and Linux Foundation. His comprehensiveknowledge and dedication to the cause are further underscored by his attainment of all available Linux certifications, including“AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner”, “AWS Certified Architect”, “AWS Certified SysOps”, “CompTIA Linux+ce”, “ScrumFoundation Professional Certificate”, “Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator”, “CompTIA Project+”, “CompTIALinux+”, “LPIC-3”, “CompTIA Security+ce”, “RHCSA”, “RHCE” , “Red Hat Specialist in Containers and Kubernetes” and “Certified Kubernetes Administrator – CKA”.

He is the author of 11 books, recognized in the world IT market, published in English, Portuguese, Spanish and Italian, as LPIPublishing Partner.

CEO and founder of Linux Certification Edutech, for 20 years he has taught Linux online classes.

As a prominent figure within the Linux community, Uirá is committed to advancing the mission of the Linux ProfessionalInstitute (LPI) and promoting the adoption of Linux and FOSS worldwide.

I’m running for the board because I am deeply passionate about the mission and vision of the Linux Professional Institute(LPI). With over two decades of experience teaching IT professionals to become certified by LPI through my books andcourses, I have seen firsthand the transformative power of Linux certification in advancing careers and driving innovation. As apioneer and reference in Brazil, recognized for my expertise in Linux, I believe I can bring valuable insights and perspectivesto the board.

My commitment to the Linux community is unwavering. I was the first to discuss Linux certifications in Brazil when I publishedthe book “Linux Certification” in 2005. Since then, I have remained dedicated to promoting Linux professionalism andexpertise through various channels, including conferences, workshops, and publications. Holding all available Linuxcertifications, including LPIC-3, Linux Foundation, CompTIA Linux+, Red Hat RHCSA, and Red Hat RHCE, furtherdemonstrates my dedication to continuous learning and mastery of the field.

If re-elected to the board, I will leverage my extensive experience and connections within the Linux community to advocate forinitiatives that promote inclusivity, accessibility, and excellence in Linux professionalism. I am committed to advancing LPI’smission of providing globally recognized certifications that empower individuals and organizations to thrive in the digital age. Ifirmly believe that I can further contribute to LPI in shaping the future of Linux education and certification, ensuring it remainsrelevant, accessible, and impactful for years to come.

Ben Cotton has been active in Fedora and other open source communities for over a decade. His career has taken him through the public and private sector in roles that include desktop support, high-performance computing administration, marketing, and program management. Ben is the author of Program Management for Open Source Projects (Pragmatic Bookshelf, 2022). He contributed to the book Human at a Distance, and has written articles for SysAdvent, The Next Platform, Opensource.com, Scientific Computing, and more.

Open source has never been more important to our daily lives. We depend on our technology to be secure and reliable, which requires well-trained professionals to develop and run these services. As the state of the art evolves, LPI’s training and certification programs need to evolve.

My entire career has been driven by Linux specifically and open source generally. Joining the LPI board is an opportunity to use my professional experience to support the future of open source. I believe my breadth of skills and experience make me well-suited to help guide the future of the IT profession.

Brian Clemens is a founder and the Vice President of the Rocky Enterprise Software Foundation, and a founder and the Program Manager of Rocky Linux. His interest and experience with Linux and FOSS began with Fedora Core 4, since which he has championed FOSS across a wide range of organizations. Since co-founding Rocky Linux in 2020, he has worked exclusively on Open Source full-time.

Having worked a diverse range of IT careers, from running cable to supporting multinational telecom infrastructure deployments, he brings a wide breadth of experience and understanding to the organizations he participates in.

The LPI’s mission to provide vendor-neutral Linux certification and education is more important than ever, in light of the recent shake-up of the established Linux landscape, which also presents it with a great opportunity. I’m excited to contribute to the LPI and help keep it the best option for Linux professionals seeking to advance their careers.

Besides my desire to contribute to the LPI, I hope that what I learn from the LPI board will benefit other FOSS organizations I lead.

From an early stage in my career, I’ve understood the power of collaboration in achieving mutual goals and solving complexchallenges. This philosophy has been the cornerstone of my professional journey, which spans a decade at Seagate—acompany renowned for its focus on innovative devices.

Throughout my tenure at Seagate, I honed my ability to forge strategic partnerships to address customer needs effectively. Inan ever-evolving landscape where clients seek comprehensive solutions, I’ve embraced the intricate interplay betweenhardware, software, and devices to deliver tailored storage solutions that exceed expectations.

Approaching problems as puzzles waiting to be solved, I thrive on dissecting challenges and piecing together solutions thatresonate with stakeholders. I embrace the diversity of perspectives, understanding that there’s never a singular path toresolution. My strength lies in recognizing the most pertinent solution amidst a myriad of possibilities, ensuring optimaloutcomes for all involved.

This background has led me to my current role as Head of Strategic Partnerships at CIQ, where I leverage my expertise tocollaborate with channel partners in addressing customer needs. Additionally, I work closely with technology partners to bringjoint solutions to market, enhancing the value proposition of solutions that leverage Rocky Linux and other open-source tools.

As a seasoned professional with a decade of experience in strategic partnerships and ecosystem development within thetechnology sector, I am eager to bring my expertise to the Linux Professional Institution’s Board of Directors. My careerjourney, spanning roles at Seagate and as Head of Strategic Partnerships at CIQ, has instilled in me a deep understanding ofthe importance of collaboration and strategic vision in driving growth and innovation.

By forging strong alliances with industry leaders, technology companies, and educational institutions, we can expand thereach and impact of the institution, driving broader adoption of Linux and FOSS solutions.
Furthermore, I believe that the institution has a unique opportunity to drive the broader adoption of certifications that aligns toLinux and FOSS solutions. By offering certifications in emerging technologies and niche areas of expertise, we can empowerprofessionals to stay ahead of the curve and remain competitive in today’s job market.

In summary, I am committed to leveraging my experience and expertise to support the growth and development of the LinuxProfessional Institution. By fostering collaboration, driving ecosystem growth, and expanding certification offerings, I amconfident that we can ensure the institution’s continued success and relevance in the technology community.

As a New Jersey girl who landed in Silicon Valley with my developer-husband at the beginning of the dot com era, I’ve seen a whole lot. My first “Silicon Valley job” was when my printer repairman introduced me to his friend’s friend who was founding the very first open-source embedded Linux company – we were better than Red Hat (no idea what any of this meant yet!). But I came home from the interview with a Finnish developer’s green card, no salary (to my husband’s horror – “we were not funded yet!”) and I was Silicon Valley.

Sun’s Scott McNealy and Java’s James Gosling trusted me to go to Capitol Hill to fight for Open Source’s seat at the table in movement systems. Spending millions upon millions of dollars again and again on software licenses when our citizens contributed to the code was a waste of money. Is Open Source code the best everywhere along the software landscape? No. That is why we ask for benchmarks and comparisons. Open Source often prevails.

From advocacy in 1999 to being central to the SCO v IBM lawsuit as the ZDNet reporter who had that scoop was truly circumstantial, though it gave me a career in software that has paralleled and has given me the fortune of CEOs seeking me out from Sun to Salesforce to quite a few now that are in a revamp here. (I’ll share more soon.)

Happy to support the community after 25 years later with the foundation to enforcement. We need the ethical mavericks to step up.

Linux and Open Source are at a crossroads in 2024. Many of the ideals and rules we wanted have come under question, and credentials have been adopted for reasons that are not beneficial. I want to put LPI and the need for certification at the top of the agenda to not only jumpstart growth of LPI but also to run several campaigns to make this a top priority and give LPI a place at the table in deciding what that looks like at the highest levels – helping to bake in the rules for procurement of software at the government level, while providing an LPI certification to satisfy this. Much of AI is green field for certification right now – we can drive that agenda.

To jumpstart a global dialogue on what open source is and means to all, alongside a credible organization that continues to drive toward certifications and seeks to offer what used to be alternatives to today. My charter is to continue to help with writing the rules, help carve out the certification case, and double down on Open Source evangelism with LPI at the center of it all, to drive LPI support and certifications with partnerships and other key tie-ins.

Happy to support the community after 25 years later with the foundation to enforcement. We need the ethical mavericks to step up.