Executive Forum Continues with Cybersecurity Expert, Former White House CIO Theresa Payton

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ATLANTA/MACON – Mercer University's 2017-2018 Executive Forum, presented by BB&T, continues Jan. 23 with presentations in Atlanta and Macon by cybersecurity expert and former White House chief information officer Theresa Payton.

Payton, who starred in the CBS television series “Hunted,” will offer a noon lunch presentation for Executive Forum members and invited guests at the Capital City Club in downtown Atlanta followed by a 6:30 p.m. dinner presentation in the Presidents Dining Room inside the University Center in Macon.

“Cybersecurity is so much more than a threat to privacy. Protection of data and connectivity is a critical cost of doing business in today's digital economy,” said Dr. Susan P. Gilbert, dean of Mercer's Eugene W. Stetson School of Business and Economics. “I am eager to hear what Ms. Payton has to say.”

Payton is one of America's most respected authorities on Internet security, net crime, fraud mitigation and technology implementation. As White House CIO from 2006 to 2008, she administered the information technology enterprise for the president and 3,000 staff members.

Prior to her time in the White House, she was a senior technology executive in banking for 16 years. She founded Fortalice cybersecurity services company in 2008 to lend her expertise to government and private sector organizations. In 2010, she was named one of the top 25 “Most Influential People in Security” by Security Magazine.

Payton earned her bachelor's degree with honors from Immaculata University and went on to the University of Virginia to earn her Master of Science in management information systems. She later earned a certificate in graduate banking studies from The Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University.

BB&T is celebrating its 11th consecutive year as presenting sponsor of the Executive Forum. This year's co-sponsors include Southern Trust Insurance, Georgia CEO, Georgia Trend and The 1842 Inn.

The Executive Forum is a membership organization composed of businesses, organizations and individuals. Events are by invitation only to members. For more information on membership, call (800) 837-2911 or (478) 301-4169, or visit forum.mercer.edu/membership.

About the Executive Forum, presented by BB&T

The Executive Forum, presented by BB&T, is a business outreach program of Mercer University's Eugene W. Stetson School of Business and Economics and the Office of University Advancement. The Executive Forum provides business professionals with an opportunity to hear nationally noted speakers while networking with other business leaders. For more information, call Mercer's Office of University Advancement at (800) 837-2911 or (478) 301-4169, or visit forum.mercer.edu.