Celebrating Excellence with Bounteous x Accolite: Collin Smith Receives the AWS Golden Jacket
CHICAGO – September 12, 2024 – In a remarkable achievement within the AWS Partner community, Collin Smith, Solutions Architect at Bounteous x Accolite, has been awarded the prestigious AWS Golden Jacket. To earn this honor, individuals must complete all AWS certifications and navigate a rigorous application process through their company’s AWS alliance partner.
“Receiving the golden jacket is a testament to Collin’s exceptional talent, dedication, and relentless pursuit of excellence in cloud computing,” said Anil Lakhanpal, Senior Vice President - Head of Cloud and Platforms at Bounteous x Accolite. “It’s a rare honor, reserved for those who have demonstrated unparalleled expertise across all AWS certifications—an incredible feat that requires immense dedication and perseverance.”
A Journey of Dedication and Growth
Collin Smith’s journey to earning the AWS Golden Jacket began in 2020 with his first certification, AWS Certified Developer - Associate. This initial step marked his commitment to a career in cloud computing, setting the stage for a remarkable trajectory of professional growth and achievement.
Throughout his journey, Collin balanced the demands of AWS study with the responsibilities of his client projects. His dedication was further supported by Bounteous x Accolite, which recognized his commitment and encouraged his pursuit of advanced certifications. Despite the challenges of juggling regular study with project obligations and personal life, Collin remained focused and determined.
Milestones and Achievements
- 2020: Collin earned his first certification, AWS Certified Developer - Associate, igniting his passion for AWS Cloud.
- 2020: Achieved AWS Certified SysOps Administrator — Associate, which provided foundational knowledge and confidence to pursue further opportunities.
- By 2020: Completed all associate-level AWS certifications, solidifying his expertise and preparing for advanced challenges.
- 2023: Achieved all 12 AWS certifications, overcoming personal and professional challenges along the way.
- Early 2024: Completed all 13 AWS certifications, culminating in the awarding of the AWS Golden Jacket.
The AWS Golden Jacket is more than just a symbol of certification. It represents a profound understanding of AWS services and the ability to architect optimal solutions. Collin’s dedication to continuous learning and professional development is a testament to the value of certifications in validating deep knowledge and expertise. The AWS Golden Jacket award is not promoted on the AWS website but is highly sought after within the AWS Partner network, symbolizing the pinnacle of AWS certification achievement.
“I feel incredibly satisfied to have earned the AWS Golden Jacket,” said Collin. “It’s a significant reward for my efforts and a testament to my commitment to learning. I didn’t initially plan to achieve all the certifications, but as I progressed, I saw that it was possible and pursued it wholeheartedly.”
Collin also shared that the AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty certification was the most challenging for him, pushing him out of his comfort zone and requiring the most effort. “The Golden Jacket felt like a realistic goal after conquering this challenging certification,” he added.
Collin will proudly wear the AWS Golden Jacket at the AWS conference in Las Vegas and other AWS events, hoping to inspire others to set and achieve their own goals.
About Bounteous x Accolite
Bounteous x Accolite makes the future faster for the world's most ambitious brands. Our services span Strategy, Analytics, Digital Engineering, Cloud, Data & AI, Experience Design, and Marketing. We are guided by Co-Innovation, our proven methodology of collaborative partnership. Bounteous x Accolite brings together 5000+ employees spanning North America, APAC, and EMEA, and partnerships with leading technology providers. Through advanced digital engineering, technology solutions, and data-driven digital experiences, we create exceptional and efficient business impact and help our clients win. For the most up-to-date news, follow us on X, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
