<html>
<head>
<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8">
</head>
<body bgcolor="#FFFFFF" text="#000000">
Hello all<br>
<br>
Simon Thompson (Research Computing, University of Birmingham<a
href="http://files.gpfsug.org/presentations/2015/"
style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant:
normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 18px; line-height:
normal; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; color:
rgb(220, 80, 52); outline: 0px; border: 0px; text-decoration:
none; transition: opacity 0.2s ease-out, border 0.2s ease-out,
color 0.1s ease-out; -webkit-transition: opacity 0.2s ease-out,
border 0.2s ease-out, color 0.1s ease-out; letter-spacing: normal;
orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;
text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1;
word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: 0px
0px rgb(255, 255, 255);"></a>) has put himself forward as sole
candidate for position of Chair.<br>
<br>
I firmly believe it in the best interest of the Group that we do not
have the same Chair indefinitely. The Group is on fine footing, so
now is an appropriate time for change.<br>
<br>
Having spoken with Simon, the UG Committee are more than happy to
recommend him for the position of Chair for the next two years.<br>
Over the same period, the UG Committee has proposed that I move to
represent Media (as per sector representatives) and continue to
support the efforts of the Group where appropriate.<br>
<br>
The UG Committee would also like to recommend Ross Keeping for the
IBM non-exec position. Some of you will have met Ross at the recent
User Group. He understands the focus and needs of the Group and
will act as the group's plug-in to IBM as well as hosting the 'Meet
the Devs' events (details on the next one soon).<br>
<br>
With respect to the above, we do not believe it is prudent to spend
time and resource on election scaffolding to vote for a single
candidate.<br>
We would suggest that if the majority of members are extremely
against this move that it is discussed openly in the mailing list.
Discussion is good!<br>
<br>
Failing any overwhelming response to the contrary, Simon will assume
position of Chair on 19th June 2015 with the Committee’s full
support. <br>
<br>
<br>
Best regards,<br>
<br>
<br>
Jez (Chair) and Claire (Secretary)<br>
<br>
<br>
--------<br>
<br>
Simon's response to the Election call follows verbatim:<br>
<br>
a) The post they wish to stand for<br>
<br>
Group chair<br>
<br>
b) A paragraph covering their credentials<br>
<br>
I have been working with GPFS for the past few years, initially in
an HPC environment and more recently using it to deliver our<br>
research data and OpenStack platforms. The research storage platform
was developed in conjunction with OCF, our IBM business partner<br>
which spans both spinning disk and TSM HSM layer.<br>
<br>
I have spoken at both the UK GPFS user group and at the GPFS user
forum in the USA. In addition to this I've made a short customer<br>
video used by IBM marketing.<br>
<br>
Linked in profile: uk.linkedin.com/in/simonjthompson1<br>
Blog: <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.roamingzebra.co.uk">www.roamingzebra.co.uk</a><br>
<br>
c) A paragraph covering what they would bring to the group<br>
<br>
I already have a good working relationship with GPFS developers
having spent the past few months building our OpenStack platform<br>
working with IBM and documenting how to use some of the features,
and would look to build on this relationship to develop the GPFS<br>
user group.<br>
<br>
I've also blogged many of the bits I have experimented with and
would like to see this develop with the group contributing to a wiki<br>
style information source with specific examples of technology and
configs.<br>
<br>
In addition to this, I have support from my employer to attend
meetings and conferences and would be happy to represent and promote<br>
the group at these as well as bringing feedback.<br>
<br>
d) A paragraph setting out their vision for the group for the next
two years<br>
<br>
I would like to see the group engaging with more diverse users of
GPFS as many of those attending the meetings are from HPC type<br>
environments, so I would loom to work with both IBM and resellers to
help engage with other industries using GPFS technology. Ideally<br>
this would see more customer talks at the user group in addition to
a balanced view from IBM on road maps. I think it would also be<br>
good to focus on specific features of gpfs and how they work and can
be applied as my suspicion is very few customers use lots of<br>
features to full advantage.<br>
<br>
Simon<br>
<br>
-------- ends<br>
</body>
</html>