Taymour’s Story: Scaling IT Skills Through Linux and Open Source

As Linux Professional Institute (LPI), we love to highlight the voices of professionals who live and breathe open source. In this Share Your Voice interview, we hear from Taymour Elerian, an experienced Solutions Architect whose journey with Linux started in the late 1990s and has since spanned multiple continents, industries, and technologies. From leading data center operations to mentoring the next generation of IT professionals, his story shows how certifications and community involvement can shape both careers and culture.

How did your journey in IT begin?

My career began in the late 1990s, focusing on technical engineering. This early period provided me with practical experience in systems, networking, and operations, quickly establishing my expertise in Linux and open source. By the early 2000s, I was leading a significant infrastructure division, where I managed teams, modernized systems, and supervised the design and operation of a Tier III data center. This experience highlighted the immense potential of Linux and open source technologies in developing scalable and dependable IT services.

When did Linux and open source become central to your career?

From the outset, I viewed Linux not merely as a cost-effective alternative, but as a robust platform for innovation. My journey involved designing resilient infrastructures for governments, banks, and universities throughout the Middle East and Africa, consistently employing Linux and open source as the foundational backbone. In 2002, I solidified this expertise by achieving LPIC-1 certification. Even though I possessed more than a decade of hands-on Linux experience, this certification was valuable because it globally validated my skills and reinforced my dedication to the open source community.

How have certifications influenced your growth?

The LPIC-1 certification was a turning point. It reminded me that continuous learning is critical, even after years in the industry. From there, I built up other certifications, including specializations in containers, Kubernetes, and OpenShift. Combined, these have shaped me into someone capable not only of implementing solutions, but also mentoring others to adopt open source technologies confidently.

Tell us about your current role and focus.

Today, I work as a Solutions Architect in North America. My role is all about helping enterprises embrace multi-hybrid cloud strategies with open source at the center. I mentor junior architects, collaborate with product teams to shape new features, and guide customers through prototypes and strategic workshops. It’s a blend of technical depth, leadership, and community building.

How do you contribute beyond your day-to-day work?

Community and mentorship are very important to me. I’ve supported education sessions, contributed to open source adoption strategies, and guided new professionals who are building their Linux skills. For me, it’s about more than delivering technology: it is about enabling a culture where people trust and grow with open source.

What keeps you motivated?

Every time I see an organization transform: whether by adopting Linux at scale, embracing containers, or shifting to the open hybrid cloud, it reaffirms why I chose this path. Open source is more than a technology stack; it’s a mindset of collaboration, transparency, and resilience. That’s what inspires me every day.

What do you like to do in your free time?

Obviously I love technology. But beside technology, I love being in nature and gardening is one way that satisfies this.

I combine gardening with technology, so I set up my garden with automatic watering that uses sensors and controllers to ensure optimum watering and also allows me to monitor the health of my plants while I am traveling (this is all done using open source software and hardware). Did I mention that I love traveling too!?

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