Benjamin Kerensa

Benjamin Kerensa is an internationally recognized open source evangelist, community manager, author and speaker with experience in systems administration, project management and open source development that spans a decade.

In April 2012 he joined OpenPhoto where he is a Commmunity Manager focusing on furthering the Open Photo Project. Additionally he is involved in the Ubuntu Community as a Developer and Community Evangelist and is a member of Mozilla’s WebFWD Open Innovation Program where he identifies open source projects that are well aligned with the goals Mozilla aims to achieve with WebFWD.

In his spare time Benjamin Kerensa champions social causes through activism and engagement with elected officials in his region.

Benjamin lives in Portland, Oregon, U.S.A. with his pet rat Frank. He enjoys Asian and Indian Cuisine, Political and Historical Documentaries.

Eduation

• College of the Redwoods, Crescent City, CA   – Computer Information Systems

Speaking Engagements

Speaking Events and Training

2013

• Introduction to Xubuntu Troubleshooting at FreeGeek Technology Center (Portland, OR, USA)
• Western Oregon University Ubuntu Bug Triage Webcast (Portland, OR)

2012

• O’Reilly Open Source Convention (Portland, OR, USA)
• Community Leadership Summit 2012 (Portland, OR, USA)
• Ubuntu Global Jam (PuppetLabs, Portland, OR)
• Western Oregon University Ubuntu Mentorship Program, (Portland, OR)

2011

• Portland WordPress User Group (Portland, OR, USA)

Events

Organized

• Ubuntu Global Jam 2012 (Portland, OR)
• Ubuntu Bug Jam / Debian BSP 2012 (Portland, OR)
• Ubuntu 11.10 Release Party (Portland, OR)
• Ubuntu 12.04 Release Party (Portland, OR)
• Mozilla Booth @ LinuxFest Northwest 2013 (Bellingham, WA)

Co-Organized

Media

Video

• Ubuntu on Air (Inaugural) 
• Slashdot TV: Firefox OS on display at LinuxFest Northwest 2013
• Linux Action Show (s26e08) Interview

Testimonials

“Benjamin Kerensa was instrumental on several levels in the completion of my research for my dissertation. I asked Benjamin if he could tell me where to find mentors for the Ubuntu community for my research. He graciously volunteered to organize a group of mentors, providing me with a list of awesome mentors for my students.  He also volunteered to be a mentor himself. He was a great asset to the students he mentored, finding projects for them, encouraging them, and giving them information on Ubuntu events. Benjamin also gave a virtual lesson in Google Hangout about how to participate in bug triage. Almost every one of my students listed this as one of the most important elements in becoming involved in the Ubuntu project. Benjamin is a great asset and a great example of the Ubuntu community. ”  - Becka Morgan, Assistant Professor, Western Oregon University

“one of a few Ubuntu “celebrities” that seem to bring a passion and energy to Ubuntu that few people can rival.” - Neil Oosthuizen

 

“Ben has been a (if not the) driving force behind Ubuntu Oregon.” – Finn Herzfeld, Student, UW Bothell

 

“Ben has been a pivotal part of team, a key player. He did a good job keeping the Global Jam running smoothly, and he shares his advice with those who would ask it. he spends a lot of his time contributing to the team, and making sure the team runs smoothly.” - Cody Smith, Student, Chemeketa

 

“He is an avid Ubuntu advocate who is technically proficient and great at communicating. I find him inspirational and look forward to working with him in the future.”  - Dan Smith, U.S. Army

 

“He is very personable and likes people, the sort of thing that fits well in Ubuntu’s Circle of Friends. His networking and publicity abilities are second to none.”  - Mark Terranova, Fedora Project