Speaker Spotlight: Anthony Montalbano

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anthony-montalbanoAnthony Montalbano is the cofounder of AMBR Detroit. At AMBR Detroit, he helps building web applications using WordPress as a foundation. AMBR Detroit primarily focus on developing web and mobile apps. Some of their clients include Majic Windows, Localhop, DEGC, Rocket Fiber, Automotive News, Secure-24, Cranbrook Schools and more. Anthony lead the organization of WordCamp Detroit for 3 years. He’s has built multiple companies over the past decade and helped mentor many others. He’s taught development courses at Grand Circus, startup courses for Windsor Small Business Centre and helped mentor startup companies through Bizdom Detroit. Anthony won the 2014 Spirit of Entrepreneurship award from MiQuest.

Anthony Montalbano will be presenting “Getting Acclimated to WordPress” on Friday, October 14 at 9:00am in the Pendleton Room.

Why do use WordPress?

As a developer, WordPress is a very powerful platform to create amazing websites. As a user, the ease-of-use for managing content is super intuitive. Together it’s a mad combination for building and maintaining websites.

When and how did you start using WordPress?

I started using WordPress in 2007 looking for a CMS for clients. I tried multiple platforms (see Drupal and Joomla) and WordPress quickly rose to the top. I dug deep and soon enough became a developer creating themes and plugins. In 2010 I took it to the next level organizing the first WordCamps in Michigan (for 3 years).

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

The WordPress community is what makes WordPress such a special platform. It’s here where you’ll meet very warm and inviting people who share the same passion as you.

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

At WordCamp Chicago 2008 I met a group of guys building a new awesome forms plugin. Their demo was super awesome and I was excited to see their progress. Shortly after they release Gravity Forms and it’s not become the de facto forms plugin for WordPress. Amazing to see it from its inception.

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

At AMBR Detroit we’re always pushing the boundaries of WordPress development and always to show people what WordPress is capable of. We’ve built multiple iOS and Android apps that use the WordPress REST API. We recently built a framework for WordPress which gives developers more control of the data within the WordPress database, yet at the same time uses the beautiful WordPress dashboard we all love.

What is your favorite part of WordCamps?

Hands down, meeting new people.

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

Learn as much as you can from the community and give back as much as you can to the community.

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

I was a lead developer for dominos.com, responsible for developing the visual pizza builder and pizza tracker.

Name someone in the WordPress community that inspires you.

Cliche, maybe, but I’ve always found inspiration in many things Matt Mullenweg does. He’s the same age as me and for the many things he’s done and his outlook on WordPress and it’s community is very inspiring.

What has been your biggest WordPress related accomplishment to date?

Hosting WordCamp Detroit from 2010 to 2012. It was a lot of work, but worth every moment.

How have WordCamps impacted you and your business in the past?

You meet so many people learning about WordPress and sharing about WordPress. The WordPress community is what makes WordPress so special. Being a part of WordCamps is the ultimate place to meet fellow WordPress aficionados.

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

If you love to develop with WordPress, let’s talk for sure!

What should someone learn before attending your talk at WordCamp Ann Arbor?

My talk is on the fundamentals of content creation so not much honestly. Basic understanding of WordPress should do!

What is your favorite WordPress related resource?

codex.wordpress.org – hands down the most amazing documentation for developers of the WordPress platform.

Where can we find you online?