Why Java Champion?

My journey to becoming a Java Champion and what it means to me. From humble beginnings as a Java developer to recognition as a Java Champion, this is my story of dedication, community contribution, and technical excellence.

Lifelong Journey with Java

I have been learning, building, and teaching with Java for 25 years, starting with Java 1.1 in 1999. From the days of applets to today’s cloud-native and AI-integrated microservices, Java has been the foundation of my professional journey. I earned my Sun Certified Java Programmer (2002) and Web Developer (2003) certifications early in my career and have stayed true to the platform through every evolution.

Over the decades, I have built and led Java based enterprise systems across industries, mentored hundreds of engineers, and contributed to open-source projects that strengthen the Java ecosystem. My mission has always been to help developers build faster, learn smarter, and stay inspired through the power of Java.

Sun Certified Java Programmer 2002
Sun Certified Java Programmer Certification (2002)

Accelerating Java Development – JAQ Stack

I am the creator of JAQ Stack, an open-source Rapid Application Development (RAD) framework designed to help Java developers build production-ready applications faster. It combines Java, Angular, and NoSQL under a modular, enterprise-grade architecture.

Highlights

Impact JAQ Stack enables developers to scaffold, configure, and deploy end-to-end Java solutions in minutes reducing project setup time by up to 70%. It continues to evolve through community feedback and contributions.

Strengthening the Java Ecosystem

My open-source work centers on improving developer experience and modernizing the Java ecosystem.

OpenJDK.org Modernization I am collaborating with the OpenJDK Web Team to redesign the OpenJDK.org website, improving accessibility, discoverability, and engagement for millions of Java developers. The goal is to make Java’s home on the web more approachable for newcomers and efficient for contributors.

Helidon Project Support I actively support the Helidon open source team by building real-world examples, improving documentation, and sharing integrations between Helidon MCP and AI systems. My articles and code samples help developers adopt Helidon for microservices and container-based deployments.

Helidon Tech Blog Contribution Authored an invited article for the official Helidon Tech Blog on Medium (Oracle), focusing on practical patterns for Java microservices and MCP integration. The post, currently pending publication (Nov 2025), showcases modern Helidon use cases for developers worldwide.

Enterprise Java Contributions Throughout my career, I have worked extensively on Java-based enterprise applications, including Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) - a Java-powered CMS used globally. My contributions to AEM SPA Core, Archetype, and Lazybones projects help developers streamline scaffolding for large scale Java content systems.

Teaching & Mentoring – Progress Java

I founded ProgressJava.com as a living documentation hub for learning and mastering Java. It’s a community-driven initiative that curates tutorials, best practices, and frameworks for modern Java development.

Focus Areas

  • Core Java, Jakarta EE, and modern frameworks (Helidon, Micronaut)
  • Hands-on tutorials for developers and students
  • Built with Docusaurus for a documentation-first experience
  • Encourages open contribution from the global Java community

Progress Java represents my commitment to making Java education accessible and modern—teaching not just syntax, but professional engineering practices.

In addition, I actively mentor through the Global Mentorship Institute (GMI) and Microsoft Community Mentors Program, guiding developers across Asia and beyond. Over the years, I have helped several developers from under-developed countries such as India and Malaysia advance their Java skills, secure better roles, and contribute to open-source communities.

Writing, Speaking, and Advocacy

I primarily write and publish at Medium @SurenK, sharing insights on modern Java, Helidon, and microservice development. My articles are also published across community and enterprise platforms, reaching thousands of Java developers globally.

I actively share my Java knowledge through blogs, articles, and conference talks:

Selected Writing

Selected Talks

  • Harness Java’s Unmatched Power with JAQ Stack – Commit Your Code 2025, Jakarta Tech Talk 2026 & DevNexus 2026 (Upcoming)
  • Architecting Microservices-Based Web Applications with Java, Jakarta, and Angular – Saturn Conference 2020
  • The Art of Building & Extracting Intelligence from Digital Assets – UT Dallas AI Conference 2019, JavaScript and Friends Conference

Every piece of content I create is guided by one goal: to help developers build better with Java.

Why I Want to Serve as a Java Champion

Becoming a Java Champion is not a milestone—it’s a responsibility. My journey has been about giving back: helping Java developers code faster, learn continuously, and build confidently. Through JAQ Stack, Helidon collaboration, and Progress Java, I aim to continue improving the developer experience and community ecosystem that has shaped my entire career.

25 years on Java - still learning, still sharing, still building.