Experts who help the community by answering questions and creating blogs, vlogs, and events. They include both external contributors and Databricks employees who share knowledge, collaborate, and inspire with their enthusiasm.
Our Champion program has always celebrated the customers who go above and beyond to engage, help others, and uplift the Community. Recently, we have seen remarkable participation from Bricksters as well—and their impact deserves recognition too. Beginning this month, we are excited to introduce the Brickster Champion category, honoring internal teammates who exemplify expertise, generosity, and community spirit.
Meet our very first Brickster Champion - @Louis_Frolio🌟
Here’s the complete interview, shared in his own words -
Tell us your story: How did your journey with Databricks and the Community begin?
I joined Databricks in January 2020 as a technical trainer, which in Databricks years makes me something of an old-timer. I started by teaching partners, then moved on to customers and eventually internal Field Engineering Bricksters. After nearly six years of teaching, I’ve watched learners build confidence as they unlock more of the platform — and with that progress came a steady stream of questions, many of which stretched beyond the boundaries of training.
Back then, I knew about Community but hadn’t connected it to all those “out-of-scope” questions that surfaced in training. A few years later, the light finally went on. Community became the perfect place to send learners who needed help beyond the classroom — and there was no scope barrier at all. Any question could be asked, and someone would step in to help.
What keeps me coming back is that I’m growing too. Every question teaches me something new or adds nuance to what I thought I already understood. Community helps all of us, and it naturally became part of my daily rhythm and part of how I show up for Databricks learners everywhere.
What sparks your passion? What drives you to keep helping others, sharing knowledge, or solving tough questions here?
At my core, I’m happiest when I’m teaching and helping someone reach that “aha” moment. That’s what pulled me toward this field and what keeps me engaged in the Community. Every question someone asks is a reflection of trust — they believe someone out there is willing to help them get unstuck, and I find that incredibly energizing.
I’m also not only helping Community members; I’m growing and learning, too. With every question, I pick up something new or uncover a nuance in what I thought I already understood. Community helps us all. When I can make someone’s day easier while deepening my own understanding, it feels like I’m giving back to both my customers and Databricks in a meaningful way.
Signature move: Is there a particular topic, technology, or style of contribution that people know you for?
I’ve always enjoyed taking complex ideas and turning them into something clear, structured, and easier to understand. That’s the part of teaching that energizes me the most. Whether I’m helping someone navigate a tricky governance question or clarify a subtle behavior in Spark or Delta, I try to make the hard things feel approachable.
I also have a deep passion for teaching agentic AI and traditional machine learning. These areas are evolving quickly, and I enjoy helping people see how the concepts connect and how they can be applied in practical, real-world ways. Over time, that blend of clarity, structure, and enthusiasm for emerging technology has become what people tend to associate with my contributions in the Community.
A moment that mattered: Can you share one community interaction or success story that truly stayed with you?
One moment that stayed with me came from someone preparing for a Databricks certification who felt overwhelmed and unsure where to start. They weren’t just asking about content — they were looking for clarity, structure, and confidence. I took the time to outline a realistic path forward and point them to the right resources. A few weeks later, they came back excited after passing their exam and grateful for the guidance. It was a reminder that Community is more than a forum. It’s a place where people grow, succeed, and sometimes rediscover what they’re capable of.
Experiences like that also connect directly to another milestone in my Community journey. I was invited to serve as a Founding Fellow for the Databricks Community Fellows Program, a group created to strengthen engagement and accelerate the resolution of questions. Being part of that initiative reinforces why I show up every day: to help build a vibrant, supportive space where learners at all levels can grow.
Behind the scenes: How do you find time to contribute alongside your professional work? Are there any rituals, habits, or motivational hacks?
Contributing to the Community has never felt separate from my role at Databricks. Teaching is my day job, but helping people solve problems is simply who I am. The Community gives me a natural way to continue that work outside the classroom in a meaningful, everyday rhythm.
I usually start my morning by answering a question, and as the day unfolds, I pick up more whenever I have a moment. Some questions require deeper research, while others I can answer from experience. There’s no formal routine — just a steady habit of showing up.
I stay motivated because every question is a chance to help someone move forward while learning something new myself. That virtuous cycle of helping and learning is what keeps me coming back.
Learning in action: What’s something surprising or valuable you’ve learned from the community?
The Community constantly reminds me that insight comes from everywhere. Customers, partners, and enthusiasts ask questions that often reveal new angles, real-world nuances, or creative ways people approach the platform. It’s a healthy reminder to stay curious and open-minded. I’ve learned to approach every question with humility because the mix of experiences in the Community consistently leads to insights that strengthen how we all learn and teach.
Community also gives me a window into how Databricks is being used in the real world. As an instructor, that insight is invaluable. It shapes how I deliver training, what examples I emphasize, and how I prepare learners for the challenges they’re likely to face. Every question becomes both a learning moment for me and a compass that helps me refine my teaching approach.
Tech inspiration: What area of data and AI currently excites you most, and why?
Right now, I’m deeply energized by the rapid evolution of agentic AI. Databricks is on the vanguard of research and technology in this space, and being part of that journey is both exciting and humbling. We’re witnessing a new paradigm emerge — one where intelligent agents can reason, coordinate, and automate complex tasks seamlessly.
I’m in a great position to grow alongside this technology and then share that knowledge with both the Community and the students I teach. What makes this moment in AI exciting for me is how quickly learning turns into doing — and then into helping someone else do the same. That cycle keeps me engaged.
Human side of data: How do you think communities like ours make technical spaces more human and connected?
Communities take something technical and make it feel human. Every question comes from someone trying to solve a real problem, and every answer is someone choosing to help. That willingness to support one another is what turns a forum into a real community.
What makes ours special is the people in it — users helping users, and Databricks employees jumping in when they can. Those interactions build trust and a sense of belonging. It isn’t just about finding the right command or clearing up a concept. It’s about knowing you’re part of a place where everyone is learning and growing together.
Off the keyboard: What do you love doing outside of data and tech?
Before I entered the tech industry, I had a career as a pastry chef. Baking and cooking remain a big part of my life today. I often call it my mindless activity — not because it lacks meaning, but because I can walk into a kitchen and, through muscle memory, produce an array of foods without thinking about the mechanics. There’s real satisfaction in starting with raw ingredients and, a few hours later, having breads, pastries, or savory dishes ready for people to enjoy. My wife especially loves that I cook for her, and I love being the one who gets to make it.
Outside the kitchen, I enjoy spending time with my son, who is studying AI in college. Helping him understand the rapidly changing tech landscape is something I look forward to. It’s a rewarding blend of mentorship, curiosity, and shared exploration. That combination — cooking to reset, teaching to connect, and family to stay grounded — keeps me balanced.
Words to future changemakers: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone hoping to make an impact in the Databricks Community?
For me, success has always come from pursuing the things I’m genuinely passionate about and naturally curious to explore. To this day, I chase what interests me and give one hundred percent to that endeavor. That mindset has shaped my growth both personally and professionally and has guided how I show up in the Community.
My advice to anyone looking to make an impact here is simple: chase what matters to you. Follow the topics that spark your curiosity, contribute in ways that feel authentic, and show up willing to learn as much as you teach. When you lean into the things you care about, everything else naturally follows.
Thank you for your continued support @Louis_Frolio. As you read through his experience, we encourage you to connect with him and learn from his approach to continuous growth and community leadership. His journey sets a great example for anyone looking to make an impact. 🚀
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