The industry body representing Australia's free & open source software (FOSS) companies has announced Mr Mike Hideo's election to its board of directors at its AGM in Canberra on 30 November.
Mr Hideo's nearly twenty-five year career in global technology in general and open source software specifically has given him a unique perspective. From his early days at a kiosk start-up in Santa Monica, through building out global engineering facilities at Red Hat for nearly fifteen years, to his current role as Senior Director of Engineering for OSIA member Tiny Technologies (the makers of TinyMCE), Mike's centre of gravity is commodifying access to content. Open source software has played a pivotal role in that space.
"Today, I am proud to be joining OSIA's board," said Mr Hideo, "As a director of OSIA I intend to act upon what I see as a clear mission to ensure Australian businesses, including start-ups, using open source technologies have an opportunity to compete in the global technology marketplace. Open source software provides a catalyst for much needed change in both new and old industries alike. OSIA must offer both a voice and a vehicle for that change."
Mr Hideo returns to OSIA's board after a four year hiatus, having previously served from 2013 to 2014 in portfolios including domestic markets and membership & sponsorship.
"We're very much looking forward to working with Mike Hideo again," said OSIA Company Secretary Jack Burton, "his fiery enthusiasm for all things FOSS, along with his substantial experience in executive roles and his proven ability to drive change are exactly what OSIA needs more of right now."
Also at the 2018 AGM, Mr Burton (of OSIA members Saosce & Safecoms Cyber Security and Mr Paul Moore (of OSIA member Astute Systems) were re-elected
to the board and outgoing directors Mr Alexar Pendashteh & Mr Josh Stewart retired.
"OSIA thanks our two retiring directors for all the good work they've put in during 2018," said Burton, "We also recognise the valuable service of those others who have left OSIA's board during the year, namely Ron Skeoch (of OSIA member Muli Management, Mark Phillips and Don Lowe. Much like any good FOSS project, growing a successful industry body tends to be an exercise in standing on the shoulders of giants: building upon what has gone before. We could not even begin to attempt any of our ambitious plans for 2019 or beyond, had it not been for the achievements of the past year."
Those plans include a range of new initiatives aimed at membership growth to be introduced during 2019 in parallel to OSIA's ongoing public policy work, with a view to leveraging that growth to launch a portfolio of genuinely useful member services, commencing in 2020.
About OSIA
Open Source Industry Australia Ltd (OSIA) represents & promotes the Australian open source software industry by:
- Ensuring that the Australian business, government and education sectors derive sustainable financial and competitive advantage through the adoption of open source and open standards;
- Helping Australian Governments achieve world leadership in providing apolicy framework supportive of open standards and of the growth and success of the Australian open source industry; and
- Ensuring Australia's global standing as the preferred location from which to procure open source services & products.
