When I started EDTS, it was all about delivering the highest level of technical service to our clients. With every handshake, I looked the client in the eye and gave them my word that we would fulfill every obligation we made. After 17 years, our team has grown to over 75 people, but my passion and promise lives on as “the EDTS way”. Our team is assembled from seasoned professionals who share my passion for client service and technical excellence. In every area of the business, we have dedicated teams devoted to delivering the promise of protecting our clients’ data, ensuring their system uptime, and optimizing technology for maximum return on investment. We believe our clients deserve that level of service.
— Charles Johnson, Founder and CEO of EDTS, LLC.—
Charles Johnson - Chief Executive Officer
A native of Augusta, Georgia, Charles Johnson is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of EDTS, LLC, and EDTS Cyber, LLC. Charles drives the company’s vision and exponential growth that led to being named on Inc. Magazine's list of America's 5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies for eight consecutive years: 2010 - 2017.
Founded in 1999, EDTS serves clients 24/7/365 across the Southeast from offices in Augusta, GA, Greenville and Columbia, SC, and Asheville, NC. The 85+ person company has been immersed in
Charles has more than 25 years of experience in the technology industry specializing in network security and disaster recovery. He has been featured in Business Solutions magazine, GSA Business, Upstate Business Journal and Augusta Chronicle as a leading network security advisor.
An entrepreneur at heart, Charles is active in the Augusta Cyberworks Project and revitalization of Sibley Mill in downtown Augusta. He enjoys moving EDTS forward by identifying acquisition and growth opportunities.
Charles was recently named as Entrepreneur of the Year by the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce.
Education & Certifications:
B.B.A.., Finance, Georgia Southern University
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
Certified Cyber Forensic Professional (CCFP)
Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP)
Certified HIPAA Security Professional (CHSP)
Certified PCI-DSS Security Compliance Professional (CPCIP)
Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
Professional & Civic:
Member, FBI’s InfraGard Program
Member, Information Systems Audit and Control Association
Member, Information Systems Security Association
Member, International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium, Inc.
Member, WatchGuard Technologies Partner Advisory Council
Member, Datto Inc. Global Advisory Board
Member, ConnectWise Advisory Council
Chairman, Augusta Metro/Columbia County Chamber Cyber and Technology Committee
Director, Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce
Computer Advisory Committee, Augusta Technical College
Investor, Greenville Area Development Corporation
Personal Interests: Hunting, saltwater fishing, golf
Will McGee - Chief Strategy Officer
A native of Greenwood, South Carolina, Will McGee is the Chief Operating Officer of EDTS. Will leads the planning and management of company strategy and business development, and also provides operational oversight for the firm.
Founded in 1999, EDTS serves clients 24/7/365 across the Southeast from offices in Augusta, GA, Greenville and Columbia, SC, and Asheville, NC. Specializing in managed IT services, advanced infrastructure, network security, and business continuity solutions, EDTS helps clients increase productivity and reduce costs associated with information technology.
Will has more than 20 years in the technology industry, designing networks, wide-area networks, and security solutions for an extensive variety of clients throughout the Southeast. He is a member of the Technology Association of Georgia’s Augusta Advisory Board, as well as a facilitator for the ConnectWise Southeast User Group. Additionally, Will participates on various advisory councils for technology vendors.
A graduate of the University of South Carolina and a proud parent, Will is active in several civic organizations and enjoys spending time with his family, boating
Education:
B.S., Finance | University of South Carolina
M.B.A., Management Information Systems | University of South Carolina
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
Professional & Civic:
Member – ConnectWise Advisory Council
Member – WatchGuard Technologies Partner Advisory Council
Member – Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) Augusta Advisory Board
Member – ECPI University Advisory Board
Member – North Augusta School Improvement Council
Personal Interests: USC athletics, scouting, fishing.
Gerry Owen - Chief Financial Officer
Gerry Owen is the Chief Financial Officer of EDTS. A seasoned financial executive with two decades of experience, Gerry oversees all aspects of the financial reporting process, including billing and collections, accounts payable, payroll, procurement, and contracts, as well as risk management and human resources.
Founded in 1999, EDTS serves clients 24/7/365 across the Southeast from offices in Augusta, GA, Greenville and Columbia, SC, and Asheville, NC. Specializing in managed IT services, advanced infrastructure, network security, and business continuity solutions, EDTS helps clients increase productivity and reduce
Prior to joining EDTS, Gerry spent nine years in the banking industry, which included serving as the Chief Financial Officer of a start-up community bank in Augusta for its entire life cycle, from inception to sale. Additionally, he served an extended tour of duty with a regional CPA firm headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina.
A graduate of the University of South Carolina-Aiken, Gerry is proud to be a Pacer and remains appreciative of his experiences there that helped to shape his career. Gerry is an Aiken native, where he currently resides with his wife and two children.
Education:
B.S., Business Administration | University of South Carolina-Aiken
Certified Public Accountant
Chartered Global Management Accountant
Professional & Civic:
Member - American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Member - South Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants
Treasurer - Lakeside Baptist Church
Treasurer and Past President - Children’s Place, Inc.
Director - Funding for Scholars
Former President and Treasurer - Aiken Center for the Arts
Personal Interests: Volunteering at church, coaching youth sports, golf
Delano Collins - Chief Information Officer
A native of Augusta, Georgia, Delano Collins is the Chief Information Officer of EDTS, LLC, a solutions provider specializing in
With a background in the banking
His certifications include being a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Ethical Hacker, EC-Council (CEH) and CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner. Passionate about the need for
Education:
B.S., Computer Science | Augusta University
B.A., Psychology | Augusta University
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
Certified Ethical Hacker, EC-Council (CEH)
CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP)
CCDA and CCNA (Cisco)
Professional & Civic:
Member – Downtown YMCA Board of Directors
Member – ISC2
Member - ISACA
Member - ISSA
Advisory Council – Greenbrier High School
Computer Advisory Committee - Augusta Technical College
Volunteer – Habitat for Humanity
Volunteer -- American Heart Association
Personal Interests: martial arts, guitar, college football, golf
Craig Tarkenton - Chief Technology Officer
Craig Tarkenton is the Chief Technology Officer at EDTS. Craig joined the company in 2011 through acquisition. Today, he helps to implement the strategic vision of EDTS, further driving the exponential growth that led to the company being named on Inc. Magazine's list of America's 5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies for eight consecutive years: 2010 - 2017.
Founded in 1999, EDTS serves clients 24/7/365 across the Southeast from offices in Augusta, GA, Greenville and Columbia, SC, and Asheville, NC. Specializing in managed IT services, advanced infrastructure, network security, and business continuity solutions, EDTS helps clients increase productivity and reduce costs associated with information technology.
Craig currently leads project management for both the commercial and federal markets served by EDTS. As such, he oversees the implementation and design groups for EDTS in the Augusta, Columbia, Greenville and Asheville markets. With more than 20 years of experience in computer systems management and security, he has implemented crucial information technology strategies to help prepare clients for today's unique business challenges – and those of tomorrow, as well.
Education:
B.S., Education | Georgia Southern University
M.S., IT Security | Western Governors University
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
Microsoft Certified I.T. Professional (MCITP)
Project Management Professional (PMP)
GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)
Sam Patrick - Chief Revenue Officer
A native of White Plains, New York, Sam Patrick is the Chief Revenue Officer of EDTS. Sam directs the organization’s strategic revenue growth initiatives including sales, marketing, communications, community relations and sales support, while optimizing integration and alignment between client-facing teams and internal resources.
Founded in 1999, EDTS serves clients 24/7/365 across the Southeast from offices in Augusta, GA, Greenville, SC and Columbia, SC. Specializing in managed IT services, advanced infrastructure, network security, and business continuity solutions, EDTS helps clients increase productivity and reduce cost associated with information technology.
Sam has more than 25 years in marketing and business development roles with some of America's best-known brands in consumer goods, technology, retail, financial and professional services. He has directed strategic communications for such organizations as DOW Brands, Publix Super Markets, SouthTrust Corporation/Wachovia, Datastream Systems, Ryland Homes, Club Corporation of America, South Carolina Tourism, and Elliott Davis CPAs.
Sam is a graduate of the University of Georgia, and is active in numerous business and civic organizations, including membership or leadership positions with Senior Action, the Association for Accounting Marketing, the American Advertising Federation, the Silver Crescent Foundation for Manufacturing Education, Business Black Box Advisory Board, and the South Carolina Association of CPAs.
Education: B.A., Journalism | University of Georgia
Professional & Civic:
Senior Action
Association for Accounting Marketing
American Advertising Federation
Silver Crescent Foundation for Manufacturing Education
Personal Interests: Sports, reading, family
Judy Chun - Chief Administrative Officer
A native of Virginia, Judy Chun is Chief Administrative Officer of EDTS. As such, Judy oversees human capital development, finance, operational alignment and process enhancement across all aspects of the organization. She is an active participant in the company’s strategic-planning processes, helping to forge new working relationships and synergies, and enhancing accountability for the EDTS team.
Founded in 1999, EDTS serves clients 24/7/365 across the Southeast from offices in Augusta, GA, Greenville and Columbia, SC, and Asheville, NC. Specializing in managed IT services, advanced infrastructure, network security, and business continuity solutions, EDTS helps clients increase productivity and reduce
Judy has over 30
She is a graduate of the University of Hawaii and its Shidler MBA
Education:
M.B.A. | Shidler College of Business, University of Hawaii-Manoa
J.D. | William S. Richardson Law School, University of Hawaii
Professional & Civic:
Rotary Club of Aiken
Aiken Chamber of Commerce
Vistage International
Personal Interests: equestrienne enthusiast, member of Peace Lutheran Evangelical Church in Aiken
Director of Communications
IT Audit Manager
Director of Marketing
Technical Services Manager
Centralized Services Manager
Client Services Manager
Director of AVMM