I’m leaving Alfresco, remaining part of the community

After much contemplation about what’s best for the Alfresco community, the company, and my own happiness, I’ve decided to leave the company. My last day as Chief Community Officer will be Friday, June 6.

With all of the changes the company has seen over the last year or so I know there are some who will suspect that something nefarious is underfoot. I want to be really clear about this: It was my decision to leave, I’m excited about this change, and I hope you’ll be excited for me too.

If it’s all good, why leave?

Ultimately,  I’m leaving because I miss delivering content-centric solutions to clients. When I took the position three years ago, I thought that the part of my role that requires me to help flatten the learning curve for people would satisfy my creative and technical itch. It did partially, but it wasn’t enough.

Of course, there have been changes I haven’t always agreed with–until you are your own boss that will always be true. But the primary reason I’m leaving is because I need to be building stuff again.

What does this mean for the Alfresco Community?

The company remains committed to the Alfresco community and there are no major changes planned that I am aware of. I know whomever takes over my responsibilities will continue with the important work as beekeeper.

I intend to continue making contributions to the community just as I did before I joined the company. In fact, having me back in the field means more real world implementations to draw on that I can write about, speak about, and share with others.

My personal mission to take down legacy ECM with open source hasn’t changed. I think many of you are aligned with me on that mission, and this move allows us to continue the fight side-by-side.

What does this mean for Alfresco Summit?

I’m proud of what I was able to accomplish with the annual DevCon/Alfresco Summit conference. It was fun growing that so much year-over-year while maintaining the integrity and feel of the event. But I’m no event planner. And the bigger it grew the more time it required. Last year we actually made the decision to take if off my hands. I’ve been helping with programming content for Alfresco Summit 2014 but 2013 was the last one I was primarily responsible for, which makes the transition pretty seamless. (This year’s conference promises to be better than ever, and you should totally sign up if you haven’t done that yet).

What’s next?

For these next two weeks, I’m completely focused on getting everything transitioned smoothly. I’ll share more about what’s next for me after June 6, but I’m sure it will be surprising to absolutely no one.

Until then, please know that I have truly enjoyed my time serving as the leader of this wonderful community. I know there is work left to do but, man, we got so much done!

Perhaps more importantly, I have established what I hope will be life-long friendships, both in the community and inside the company, with people all over the world. The best thing about this change is that I know those will continue, regardless.

24 comments

  1. Jochem says:

    I can only say: My oh my!
    What will be next: Linus Torwalds leaves the kernel team? 🙂

    Greetings from a thankful reader
    Jochem

  2. MH says:

    Ordinarily I love reading your blog, but tonight I had a strange reaction to it (okay, I cried). I sure hope Alfresco are prepared to search high and low for a righteous successor. For my own part, I have to say that you’ve been an absolute inspiration to me, and others, because you’ve transformed the Alfresco Community and made everything so very accessible and so much fun!

    Bravo Mr Potts – I think you’re bl**dy marvellous. I always have and I always will.

    (From one of your many friends and fans in London)

  3. Igor Blanco says:

    Oh, it’s a sad news for the community, but a good one for you I hope.
    Jeff, thank you very much for all your work and involvement in doing the Alfresco community better and better every day.
    As you already said there is much to be done yet, but you, specially YOU, got so much done that no doubt you can leave it with pride.
    Once more, thank you very much and good luck.

  5. mitpatoliya says:

    Jeff,This is really surprising. Good Luck for your future journey.
    What you have done to grow alfresco community and product is remarkable.I hope Alfresco will find some one suitable to fill your big shoes.

  6. Joseph John says:

    Hi Jeff,
    You has been a motivator for new comers.
    Staring doing the cusom aspects and custom types using your tutorials.
    Will be missing your leadership presence in the community
    Thanks
    Joseph John

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