CIQ Launches Open Source Program Office with Chris Short at the Helm

CIQ Establishes Open Source Program Office

CIQ, the prominent partner for Rocky Linux and an acclaimed innovator in high-performance software infrastructure, has recently announced the formation of its Open Source Program Office (OSPO). This initiative is a significant milestone in CIQ's ongoing commitment to fostering a collaborative environment around open source software. The appointment of Chris Short, a well-respected figure in the open source community, to lead this office underscores the company's dedication.

Strengthening Open Source Engagement

The newly established OSPO aims to enhance CIQ's engagement with the open source community by becoming a vital bridge between engineering needs, product development, and community interactions. In line with this goal, the OSPO will coordinate upstream contributions to enhance projects like the Linux Kernel and important tools such as the Linux Kernel Runtime Guard (LKRG). By doing so, CIQ is not only advocating for sustainable and secure software solutions but also ensuring that its contributions align closely with the needs of customers.

Key projects under the OSPO's wing include Rocky Linux, Warewulf, Apptainer, Ascender, and Ascender Ledger. The team is committed to strengthening relationships with major open source organizations, like the Rocky Enterprise Software Foundation (RESF) and the Open Enterprise Linux Association (OpenELA). This strategic collaboration is aimed at promoting open source sustainability and health, creating an environment where software can thrive and evolve.

Chris Short: A Leader in Open Source Advocacy

To lead the OSPO, CIQ has appointed Chris Short, renowned for his extensive experience in technical marketing and community engagement. With more than ten years of involvement in the open source ecosystem, Short has held important positions at AWS and Red Hat. His prior roles included senior developer advocate at Amazon Web Services, where he spearheaded significant initiatives like the Kubernetes track at AWS reInvent and the launch of the EKS.news newsletter.

In his new role at CIQ, Short expresses a clear vision: "Advocating for our upstream communities is our primary responsibility; proving our value is a close second. We want to ensure the health and long-term viability of the open source projects we rely on—and that means showing up with engineering contributions, governance support, and consistent collaboration."

CIQ's Unique Approach to Open Source

CIQ's philosophy toward open source is centered around making it more accessible and sustainable for enterprise environments that often seek commercial guarantees. By integrating open source principles with robust commercial support and Software as a Service (SaaS) offerings, CIQ empowers its clients to modernize their technology frameworks, foster innovation, and mitigate the risks associated with embracing open-source technologies.

Founder and CEO Gregory Kurtzer emphasized the importance of the OSPO by stating, "At CIQ, we believe that open source is not just a development model—it's an underlying culture. The OSPO is an investment in doing open source the right way, benefiting our customers, our communities, and the ecosystem as a whole."

CIQ: Built on Open Source Principles

As a pioneering company that constructs reliable and high-performance software infrastructure solutions, CIQ understands the pivotal role open source plays in today’s tech landscape. They provide comprehensive support across various technology stacks, from base operating systems to cloud applications, which enables organizations to focus on their core business endeavors while propelling transformative innovation.

In summary, the creation of CIQ's Open Source Program Office signifies a robust commitment to the open source community and the values it cherishes. With Chris Short at the forefront, CIQ looks to not only reinforce its open source projects but also to position itself as a leader in advocating for sustainable, collaborative contributions in the tech industry. For more details, visit CIQ's website.