Speaker Spotlight: Ben Cool

ben-coolBen is a Developer, WordPress enthusiast/hobbyist and Father of three. He has been making websites and programming back-end systems since 1999 and is currently developing technology for autonomous vehicles at GM.

Ben Cool will be presenting the “Unit Tests Workshop” on Friday, October 14 at 11:00am in Wolverine room.

Why do use WordPress?

I use WordPress because of the community. Not just the community of developers that support the platform, themes and plugins; but, the community and culture that surrounds WordPress.

When and how did you start using WordPress?

I started using WordPress when I started working at A2 Hosting. My Job at A2 was to make websites faster and since WordPress has the largest market share of hosted websites, WordPress was the logical place to start. After writing tools and plugins to make WordPress faster, I learned why WordPress was used by so many people and developers.

What would you tell someone to convince them to attend a WordCamp?

I guarantee that anyone that attends a WordCamp will do three things.
1. Learn something.
2. Make at least one new Friend (probably 20).
3. Feel more confident about themselves.

Tell us about something awesome you’ve experienced at a WordCamp in the past.

Random acts of kindness.

Give an example of a cool WordPress project you have worked on recently.

I set up a custom plugin repository using Reaktiv Remote Repo.

What is your favorite part of WordCamps?

Friendships Forged

What advice do you have for anyone looking to start or grow a WordPress based business?

Attend as many WordCamps as possible.

Tell us something awesome about yourself that is not WordPress related.

I like to drive my Jeep on the Silver Lake Sand Dunes.

Name someone in the WordPress community that inspires you.

Rich Robinkoff

What has been your biggest WordPress related accomplishment to date?

A2 Optimized WP.

Fill in the blank for other attendees: “If you ___________ then you should come talk to me at WordCamp.”

are a person

What is your favorite WordPress related resource?

codex.wordpress.org

Where can we find you online?

https://twitter.com/benjamincool