Dear CentOS Community,

After much reflection and consideration, I have decided to step down from my position on the CentOS Board of Directors. This decision has not been an easy one, as my time with CentOS has been incredibly rewarding.

As my term on the CentOS Board of Directors comes to a close at the end of August 2025, I reflect on the past five years with a deep sense of gratitude and accomplishment. Serving in this capacity has been an incredible journey.

When I first joined the CentOS community, I was inspired by the collective passion and the dedication to open-source software that extended far beyond the typical workday. Over the years, I have had the privilege of working alongside some of the most talented and committed individuals in this ecosystem. Together, we have overcome numerous challenges, all while staying true to our shared vision of providing a robust platform for open-source communities.

I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished together. From enhancing the infrastructure (Community Build Service <3 ) to fostering a collaborative environment, every contribution has been a testament to the strength of the community. The activity in SIGs like ISA, Hyperscale, Proposed Updates, and Automotive shows our community is very dynamic.

As I move on to new opportunities further away from the Operating system ecosystem, I want to express my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you. Thank you for your support, your friendship, your informal chats, and your commitment to the project goals. It has been an honor to serve on the CentOS Board of Directors.

For those who may hesitate to contribute to open-source projects, I encourage you to take the leap. Engaging with open-source communities offers a unique opportunity to interact with some of the industry's top leaders and innovators. This experience can be transformative, providing invaluable insights, mentorship, and networking opportunities that can significantly enhance your career. By contributing to open-source projects, you not only gain practical experience and improve your skills but also become part of a collaborative environment. Embrace the challenge, and you will find that the rewards are well worth the effort.

Elections for the Board of Directors will be organized to ensure continued leadership and governance. More details to come in the next days.

I would like to extend a special thank you to our community managers, whose tireless efforts in organizing events and coordinating activities have been instrumental in our success. Their dedication and hard work often go unnoticed, but they are the backbone of our community, ensuring that everything runs smoothly and that our events are both engaging and impactful. Thanks Karsten, Rich and Shaun. 

A special word of thanks to Fabian Arrotin and Karanbir Singh, who took the time to onboard me onto the project and provided invaluable help along the way.

I would also like to extend my gratitude to Red Hat, Meta and CERN for their support and contributions to our community over the years.

While I may be stepping down from my official role, my passion for open-source and my admiration for the CentOS community remain unchanged. I look forward to staying connected and continuing to support CentOS in any way I can. I am looking at you Proposed Updates SIG !

Thank you once again for the incredible journey. I am excited to see what the future holds for CentOS and for all of you.

Thomas ‘alphacc’ Oulevey