What makes a successful cybersecurity project? What makes an elite cyber center, and how did the Georgia Cyber Center come to be? What is the difference between Project Management and Project Leadership? Join the Augusta Metro Chamber on Tuesday, September 12 at the Augusta Marriott for the third quarter Member Economic Luncheon. Guest speaker Cory Ruth, Global CEO of Mergence Global, will discuss the difference between management and leadership, successful projects that range from Fortune 500 to non-profits, and how to create a successful cyber environment.  

Cory Ruth is an industry leader with 25+ years of experience leading global, enterprise-wide critical multi-million-dollar organizations and technology portfolios for large corporations. CEO of Mergence Global, a global boutique management consulting firm deploying teams in five countries with clients in 13+ countries, across four continents. Trusted advisor to some of the world’s most innovative cybersecurity and data technology executives including Israeli start-up technologists and Fortune 500 CISOs and CIOs.  

Cory was the longest serving board member of the Georgia Technology Authority, appointed by two consecutive Governors. In this capacity he collaborated on the founding of the Georgia Cyber Center – an unprecedented partnership with the National Security Agency and the Department of Defense US Cyber Command for cybersecurity and data privacy innovation. He was the 2016 honorary chairman of the BDPA National Technology Conference and recognized by James Magazine as one of the most influential Georgians for two years in a row. Cory Ruth is a Georgetown University master’s in technology management graduate and an alum of the TRIUM Executive MBA program, where he attended London School of Economics. He is married to Dr. Kathleen Ruth. They have three kids and reside in Atlanta.  

The luncheon begins at 11:30 am and tickets are $45 for Chamber members, $55 for prospective members. Purchase a corporate table of 8 seats for a discounted rate. Member Economic Luncheon series sponsors include Doctors Hospital, South State Bank, Uniti Fiber, Azalea Investments and Augusta Magazine.  Technology sponsor is WOW! Business and parking sponsor is Ellefson Transportation Group. Media sponsors include News 12 NBC 26, The Augusta Chronicle and WJBF NewsChannel 6. Advanced registration is required at augustametrochamber.com. Deadline to register is Friday, September 8.