Alberto, projects and passions between Palermo and Mashfrog

From iOS developer to Project Manager at Mashfrog, with passions for technology, poker, and bowling. In this interview, Alberto Cusumano, Project Manager of the BU Customer Digital Solutions, tells us his story, his work, and what it means to balance professional ambitions with family life without leaving Palermo.

What do you do at Mashfrog?

I joined Mashfrog in December 2023 as a Project Manager in the BU Customer Digital Solutions, following the opening of the Palermo office. Since then, I’ve managed various projects: from Luiss to iMamma, and the development of several football apps based on the TicketWallet solution. I’m currently PM for various clients in the utilities sector, also involved in several tenders and ongoing projects in the sports field.

Although I work fully remotely from Palermo, integration with the Rome team was quick and natural. From the start, I felt the support and trust of my colleagues and managers, who involved me actively in projects and recognized my professionalism. This shows that with the right approach and good communication, geographical distance isn’t a barrier but an opportunity to enhance talent wherever it’s found.

What’s your career path?

My passion for IT started early: I was only five when I received my first computer with Windows 95, and since then, technology has always been central in my life. After high school, I enrolled in Computer Engineering, but the curriculum didn’t meet my expectations, so I left university and invested in professional training: I took two regional courses, one focused on web development and the second on mobile development, specializing in iOS.

The second course was crucial: the day after it ended, I started working as an iOS developer, first for a London-based company in Palermo, then at the iMamma startup, where I held various roles, growing from junior to senior developer and finally becoming Delivery Manager. In 2023, I joined Mashfrog, where I found a stimulating environment and new professional challenges.

What do you do in your free time?

Today, almost all my free time goes to my one-year-and-eight-month-old son. Being a dad is my biggest and most demanding project, he is my priority. In past years, I nurtured two major passions: poker and bowling.

I had an intense journey with poker: I played many international tournaments in Italy and abroad (Slovenia, Czech Republic, Malta), and at 18, I became the youngest Italian in World Poker Tour history to win a prize in a world tournament. Poker was a real mental challenge—study, focus, emotional control. Over time, with increasing responsibilities, I had to make choices. That passion is still alive, though now I play occasionally with friends.

Bowling also played a significant role in my life: for several years, I was a member of the Italian Bowling Federation, played official tournaments, and trained regularly twice a week. It’s a sport that requires precision, consistency, and focus—qualities I find useful at work. Like poker, I’ve set it aside for now, but plan to return when time allows.

Meanwhile, I relax with TV series and nurture my love for fantasy: I’m a fan of Harry Potter and Marvel, and I hope to pass that love on to my son someday.

What’s your relationship with your city?

Palermo is my hometown and the place I chose to live and build my family. Smartworking gives me excellent work-life balance, enjoying the quality of life this city offers: slower pace, lower costs, good food, and the sea nearby. Working from Palermo also means staying close to my family and giving my son the chance to grow up surrounded by loved ones - while continuing to do work I love.

I’m grateful to Mashfrog for giving me this opportunity. Today, thanks to digitalization and remote work, you don’t need to leave to grow professionally. I believe this is also an important value for the South’s development.

And future plans?

Professionally, I want to keep growing and specializing. I’ve already started a path toward certifications in Project Management, including PMP (Project Management Professional) and PSM I (Professional Scrum Master). I’m also considering enrolling in a university course, maybe in a managerial field, to complete my skill set. And why not, learn a third language, I’m thinking about Spanish, but also Arabic or Russian.

Personally, my dream is to expand my family and someday take up poker and bowling again. Growing as a professional, but also as a father and a person, is my priority. And if I can do it while staying in Palermo, surrounded by the warmth of my family and land, then I can truly consider myself lucky.