2025
Powered by Community! A Thank You to Our Sponsors Ace Host and xByte!
An idea that has become a reality.
Tampa Devs
Tampa Devs Contributor
An idea that has become a reality.
Tampa Devs
Tampa Devs Contributor
Tampa Devs was founded with a simple belief: that technology should be a tool for all to use, not a privilege for some. Since day one, they’ve worked to make that vision real by creating opportunities for local developers, hosting events, and launching projects that serve the broader tech community in Tampa Bay.
Through these actions an idea was born. What if access to computing power didn’t depend on your employer, your wallet, or your university credentials? What if local developers, especially those just getting started, could build and test apps on infrastructure that didn’t cost a fortune? Thanks to sponsor support and internal leadership, that idea became a reality.
The Tampa Devs Cloud project was spearheaded by Justin Herron, a Navy veteran with a penchant for problem-solving who worked tirelessly to design, build, and bootstrap the infrastructure. Realizing the project’s longevity would depend on contributions from others, Herron called out to the community to build a small team of contributors and constructed the social links between Tampa Devs, Ace Host, and xByte Technologies. As Principal Cloud Architect, his mission remains supporting the architects, engineers, and technicians who build the industry.
“The tech industry is built by architects, engineers, and technicians,” Herron, notes. “Those are the people Tampa Devs are here to support.” - Justin Herron, Principal Cloud Architect
The team grew when Herron connected with Bryan Benway over their shared experiences navigating complex infrastructure. After conversing about the challenges of modern systems, Herron offered Benway the opportunity to step in as a Cloud Maintainer to help manage the growing platform. Benway now focuses on the application element of the cloud, noting that between Slack and local events, the project makes it easy for developers to connect with others who share their passions.
The community is full of great people,” added cloud maintainer Bryan Benway. “Between Slack and events, it’s easy to find something you’re interested in and connect with people who share your passions.” - Bryan Benway, Tampa Devs Cloud Maintainer
But big visions need strong support. And thanks to two incredible local sponsors, Ace Host and xByte, Tampa Devs have been able to scale their work in a meaningful way.
Some partnerships are born out of strategy. Others, out of shared values. For Ace Host, it all came down to shared values—and then some. When Tampa Devs Principal Architect Justin Herron introduced the Ace Host team to Charlton Trezevant, Co-Founder, and Josef Sieber, Program Manager, something clicked. As a local startup, Ace Host recognized the energy, grit, and long-term vision that Tampa Devs brought to the table.
“They’re building something meaningful—not just writing code, but creating a space where developers can grow, connect, and contribute to the region’s momentum,” Joe Vita, CEO of AceHost, shared. “When we learned more about their mission and the community they were building, we knew we wanted to be involved.”
That sense of purpose, community, and authenticity is exactly what Ace Host stands for. With more than 25 years in the data center and hosting space, they’ve grown from a local team into a multi-site operation with a second location in Durham, NC.
Supporting Tampa Devs aligns with Ace Host’s belief in collaboration over competition.
“We believe in investing in people, especially those building something from the ground up. We were once in those early, scrappy stages, and we know how much a little support can go a long way,” Vita says.
Since partnering with Tampa Devs, Ace Host has seen firsthand how their contributions are sparking connections and accelerating talent development in the local scene.
“People are discovering new job opportunities. Companies are finding local talent, and developers are gaining confidence through networking and education. If our support helps Tampa Devs scale or reach more people, that’s a win for everyone.”
From that first event, Ace Host sees Tampa Devs as a long-term ally in shaping Tampa’s tech future.
"We're not just sponsors. We're part of the story. And we're proud to grow with you! - Joe Vita, Cheif Executive Officer, Acehost"
For the xByte, their first encounter with Tampa Devs was through attending a local event.
What started with sponsoring drinks at a few events quickly turned into a more meaningful collaboration. When Tampa Devs shared their vision for a community-first cloud initiative, xByte saw an opportunity to get involved in a way that aligned deeply with their values.
“Two of our core values are a relentless pursuit of excellent customer service and creating value in Data Center IT Solutions. That’s exactly what Tampa Devs and their cloud initiative stand for,” says Ryan Brown, the CMO of xByte Cloud.
The team at xByte has been impressed not only with the mission but also with the genuine care and passion of Tampa Devs' leadership.
“On every call and at every event, you can tell they sincerely care about the community,” Brown notes.
Looking ahead, xByte hopes its contributions will help spark the next wave of innovation, especially among schools and local startups with bold ideas. They’re already in talks with other Tampa-based organizations, creating the kind of cross-company collaboration that benefits the region as a whole.
"Don’t think about the short-term ROI,” Brown advises other potential sponsors. “Just give your support and know the gains will be long-term for everyone.” Ryan Brown, VP of Sales, xByte Technologies
From spinning up AI workloads to hosting community-created apps, the Tampa Devs Cloud is now a functional, collaborative platform that’s giving developers the tools they need to experiment, build, and showcase their work. What makes it different isn’t just the tech, it’s the people behind it. The project is creating ripple effects of confidence, curiosity, and creativity.
Without the backing of Ace Host and xByte Technologies, the Tampa Devs cloud initiative might still be a dream. Thanks to their generosity and infrastructure support, Tampa Devs has been able to:
But the impact extends beyond tech. These sponsors have helped nurture a culture of collaboration, mentorship, and shared ambition. They’ve opened doors for meaningful relationships, sparked community dialogue, and modeled what it means to give back without strings attached.
Their involvement also sends a clear message: that small actions from local companies can fuel big change. The success of Tampa’s tech scene isn’t about one company, or group; it’s about all of us working together to build something better.
Your contributions, whether it be through:
Helps shape the Tampa Bay's tech ecosystem that is slowly building. It powers events where first-time coders meet future employers or mentors. Whether you’re a tech company, a founder, or a former attendee who just wants to pay it forward, your support matters.
Whether you're hiring, learning, or just looking for a solid slice of community, Tampa Devs has saved you a seat!
