Eric Vaughan

Chief Executive Officer

As CEO of IgniteTech and Khoros, Eric is leading a transformation that puts AI at the center of everything we do. He believes we're at the dawn of the fifth major technological revolution - following the internet, the web, personal computers, and smartphones - and AI will fundamentally change how we live and work.

With over 30 years of experience in the technology industry, Eric has founded and led three software companies, demonstrating his deep understanding of the transformative power of technology. Throughout his career, Eric has led teams through more than 50 M&A transactions, including public-company buyouts, private equity/venture capital sales, and several divestiture transactions from IBM, with direct integration and CxO accountabilities for the acquired businesses post-close.

Today, Eric is a vocal advocate for AI-first thinking, recognizing this isn't just an exciting development but a necessity for companies to remain relevant. His passion for AI stems from a deep-seated belief that if businesses don't adapt, they risk being left behind. This conviction led him to implement initiatives like "AI Mondays," where the entire company dedicates one day solely to GenAI—no calls, no visits, just pure innovation.

Eric is frequently called upon as a speaker and thought leader on AI, GenAI, and enterprise software company transformation. He believes that CEOs must personally drive AI vision and capability development rather than delegating it entirely to technical teams.

His mission is clear: to lead organizations through the AI revolution, ensuring they don't just survive but thrive in this new era. Eric is committed to sharing his experiences and insights to help other leaders navigate this transformative period in business history.

Outside of his professional life, Eric is an avid runner, having completed 51 marathons and over 50 ultramarathons, including nine 100-mile endurance trail races.