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The Java Community Process (JCP) program runs smoothly thanks to the dedication of the
Program Management Office (PMO) staff. These individuals bring not only a wealth of diverse
technical, academic, and personal training and experience to the task of nurturing the community,
but they also share a passionate enthusiasm for Java technology and the community that is evolving
it.
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| Heather VanCura |
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On-the-move is Heather Vancura-Chilson's preferred mode in her professional as well as personal life. Before arriving at the JCP community in 2000, she had worked her marketing and advertising magic for various high tech companies, including Microsoft, Cisco, Apple, and the Santa Cruz Operation. She joined the PMO staff as a marketing manager for the JCP program with experience and a bachelors in Business Administration under her belt. She established the JCP brand identity and logo programs, developed jcp.org, and conducted online surveys and usability studies. She also developed marketing programs, advertising campaigns, sponsorships, and events for the JCP program, including the community gathering at the annual JavaOne Conference.
Since 2005 Heather has moved into a broader role within the JCP program office. Now the PMO group manager, she is responsible for the day-to-day nurturing, support, and leadership of the community. She oversees the jcp.org web site, JSR management and posting, community relations, marketing, communications, and growth of membership through new members and renewals.
Heather has a front row seat for studying trends within the community and recommending changes . Several changes to the program in 2005 have played out in significant ways. For example, since individuals were invited to participate in the JCP program without charge, membership has grown to 1465, 75 percent of whom are individuals. One trend Heather wants to affect is the numbers of women in the JCP community. By hosting informal gatherings for women, involving groups like Duchess, and encouraging mentorships, she hopes to strengthen the numbers of women already seen at every level of the JCP program.
"As the JCP program has evolved to meet the needs of the community, it has become clear that there is an expectation for more transparency and agility," says Heather. Over the past year, she examined how the community currently works and implemented improvements to foster and encourage a working style that is more open, flexible, and visible to all. One tangible result is that the Executive Committee meeting materials and summaries are now available to the public.
Heather remains passionate about the power and potential of the JCP community and the pervasiveness of Java technology as it gains adoption in a widening array of devices and applications. "I am awed by the ability of this vibrant, diverse international community to work together toward a common goal," she says. You can follow Heather's blog, where she once described her job to her daughter as "helping folks play nice together on the playground."
Heather enjoys speaking at Javapolis (now Devoxx), Java Zone, The ServerSide Symposium, and the JavaOne Conference to such an extent that, for her free time, she is considering additions to her public speaking repertoire topics that reflect her other interests -- children, family, faith, health, exercise. Heather resides east of the San Francisco Bay, California, where the weather is gorgeous. A fan of exercise and the great outdoors, she gardens, runs, and leads her two daughters and a son on walks, hikes and treasure hunts. She has recently taken up Russian kettlebell training, volunteers for Junior Achievement and is enthusiastic about reading the Bible in One Year
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