About Me

Currently, I'm a web developer and designer specializing in creating applications in Java and PHP. Also, I'm learning Ruby/Rails and Python/Django. I've been using Linux for years and Ubuntu for a few cycles. One of the things I love most about Ubuntu is its community. I firmly believe in creating as welcoming an environment as possible for a diverse open source community and do what I can to help foster that. Other than technical fun, I'm also a Toastmaster and Board member for my local public library.

My current goals include creating an outline for teaching programmers how to develop in Python with a focus on contributing to open source projects, and getting Virginia "approved" status.

Activities

• collector of web development projects good for new developers

  member of UbuntuWomen

  member/multiple time IRC chair/report writer/co-leader of VirginiaTeam

  member of CaliforniaTeam

  member of BeginnersTeam (Dev Focus Group and BT Council nominee 3/2011)

  presenter of "Getting involved via the Beginners Team" in OpenWeek Natty (Log)

  interviewed in Full Circle Magazine (4/2011) (pdf)

  co-presenter of "Have You Tried Turning It Off And Then On Again?" in OpenWeek Maverick (Log)

  remote attender of UDS-N (blog posts)

  attender of SouthEast LinuxFest 2010

  interviewed by klaatu about why I chose Ubuntu 2010

  attender of Florida Linux Show 2009

Testimonials

• Jessica has been the de-facto leader of the Virginia Local Community Team for many months now. Her efforts to lead the meetings, send out status reports, and rekindle activity are admirable. It's clear she is passionate about FOSS and Ubuntu. She brings a high level of dedication and activity to any organization she is a member of, putting in long hours of sustained effort towards her projects. She's a voracious learner and loves to speak about technology and Ubuntu. She brings success anywhere she applies herself. I can't wait to see how far she goes. -- jtatum 2011-03-09 19:43:40

  jtatum is a good judge of character and Jessica will bring both skill and passion. I wish her well. -- tarvid 2011-03-09 20:13:40

  I have personally received a great deal of support and guidance in my early ventures in the Ubuntu Community. She is very welcoming and knowledgeable, a very approachable person. This was very helpful to me as a new contributor. She is always happy to help, or if she can't, she has always helped point people in the right direction. I think she'd make a great addition to any leadership group. -- cheri703 2011-03-09 22:25:00

  I've worked with jledbetter in UW, Web Team, and a few other projects. I've found her to be very friendly and encouraging presence. Definitely, what I'd like to see in a leader. She's always either known things I've seen people ask or gone out of her way to find out. I support her candidacy for UBT Council and I think she'd make a great council member -- nigelbabu 2011-03-10 03:04:42

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