Ken is a distributed application engineer. Ken has worked with Fortune 500 companies to small startups in the roles of developer, designer, application architect and enterprise architect. Ken's current focus is on containers, container orchestration, high scale micro-service design and continuous delivery systems.
Ken is an international speaker on the subject of software engineering speaking at conferences such as JavaOne, JavaZone, Great Indian Developer Summit (GIDS), and The Strange Loop. He is a regular speaker with NFJS where he is best known for his architecture and security hacking talks. In 2009, Ken was honored by being awarded the JavaOne Rockstar Award at JavaOne in SF, California and the JavaZone Rockstar Award at JavaZone in Oslo, Norway as the top ranked speaker.
Awareness is the knowledge or perception of a situation or fact, which based on myriad of factors is an elusive attribute. Likely the most significant unasked for skill... perhaps because it's challenging to "measure" or verify. It is challenging to be aware of aware, or is evidence of it's adherence. This session will cover different levels of architectural awareness. How to surface awareness and how you might respond to different technical situations once you are aware.
In the realm of architecture, principles form the bedrock upon which innovative and enduring designs are crafted. This presentation delves into the core architectural principles that guide the creation of structures both functional and aesthetic. Exploring concepts such as balance, proportion, harmony, and sustainability, attendees will gain profound insights into the art and science of architectural design. Through real-world examples and practical applications, this session illuminates the transformative power of adhering to these principles, shaping not only buildings but entire environments. Join us as we unravel the secrets behind architectural mastery and the principles that define architectural brilliance.
Embarking on the journey to become an architect requires more than technical expertise; it demands a diverse skill set that combines creativity, leadership, communication, and adaptability. You may be awesome as a developer or engineer, but the skills needed to be an architect are often different and require more than technical awareness to succeed.
In the ever-changing landscape of technology, Solution Architects stand as the linchpin between complex business challenges and innovative technological solutions. This presentation dives deep into the world of Solution Architects, exploring their pivotal role in crafting tailored, efficient, and scalable solutions. From deciphering intricate business requirements to orchestrating seamless integrations, Solution Architects navigate a maze of technologies to deliver outcomes that align perfectly with organizational goals. Join us as we unravel the key responsibilities, skills, and methodologies that empower Solution Architects to transform abstract ideas into tangible, impactful solutions, shaping the future of businesses in a digital age.
In the age of digital transformation, Cloud Architects emerge as architects of the virtual realm, bridging innovation with infrastructure. This presentation offers a comprehensive exploration of the Cloud Architect's pivotal role.
Building an AI model is the easy part—making it work reliably in production is where the real engineering begins. In this fast-paced, experience-driven session, Ken explores the architecture, patterns, and practices behind operationalizing AI at scale. Drawing from real-world lessons and enterprise implementations, Ken will demystify the complex intersection of machine learning, DevOps, and data engineering, showing how modern organizations bring AI from the lab into mission-critical systems.
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The organization has grown and one line of business has become 2 and then 10. Each line of business is driving technology choices based on their own needs. Who and how do you manage alignment of technology across the entire Enterprise... Enter Enterprise Architecture! We need to stand up a new part of the organization.
Reliable systems are not accidents. They are designed with explicit operating limits. This session translates lessons from high-risk domains into practical engineering guardrails for microservices: latency budgets, timeout strategy, retry discipline, concurrency limits, and blast-radius controls.
AI agents are not just for developers. They are personal operating systems for your professional and personal life. In this session, Ken shares what it actually looks like to live and work with a personal AI agent — from morning briefs to travel ops to speaking pipeline automation — and provides a practical framework you can start deploying the same week.