Our Executive Team

 

 

Over our time in business, Forthright’s leaders have carefully developed a workplace culture that encourages innovation, professional curiosity, and problem-solving. In this supportive and competitive environment, Forthright employees are constantly looking for new ways to improve the value we deliver to our clients by endeavoring to discover, test, and validate innovations in their daily work practices.

Rory Sanchez

CEO

Rory Sanchez joined Forthright Technology Partners as CEO in 2023 and is responsible for the company’s high-level vision and direction.

Sanchez started his IT career as co-founder of A/G Technologies Inc. in 1995. In early 2000, he acquired SLPowers Computer Consultants and grew “SLPowers” into a super-regional managed IT services company, receiving a 2007 Industry Contribution Award by CompTIA (the Computing Technologies Industry Association) for his pioneering work and sharing of best practices in managed IT services. In 2018 Sanchez acquired Oklahoma-based True Digital Security, adopting the True Digital Security (“TRUE”) name to reflect the organization new focus. As a growing cybersecurity company with offices in Oklahoma, Florida and New York, TRUE delivered managed security services from its own 24×7 US-based Security Operations Center (SOC), provided validation and testing services (including penetration testing), and consulted with clients on maturing their cybersecurity programs. Sanchez was CEO of True Digital Security until it was sold to a publicly-traded cybersecurity company in early 2022.

A 30+ year veterans of the IT/Cloud/Security space, Rory was a founding member of the ConnectWise Partner Advisory Board and past president of TechData’s TechSelect Advisory Council. Sanchez currently sits on the ChannelPro Network Advisory Board and is a member of South Florida’s TechGateway Steering Committee.

Although Rory sees his work/life balance as “always working / always playing”, outside of any day-to-day business matters, he enjoys time with family, traveling, boating, attending music festivals, wine tastings and discovering new tequilas.

Frank Merino

COO

Frank Merino, Chief Operating Officer at Forthright Technology Partners, has been a driving force behind service delivery for over 15 years. A lead architect in cloud infrastructure and end-user computing (EUC), Frank’s influence extends into user experience (UX) and design. His passion for problem-solving led him to develop unique service offerings that emphasize a user-first approach, starting with in-depth end-user surveys and focus groups that shape the design of many Forthright projects.

Frank has pioneered service enhancements by incorporating journey mapping sessions and leveraging user sentiment to ensure outcomes align with user needs and preferences. A respected speaker at EUC events such as Citrix Summit, Frank’s workshops focus on the integration of UX in deploying and supporting Citrix environments. His commitment to viewing operations through the lens of UX ensures not only user productivity and satisfaction but also addresses modern security challenges.

Andrew Medina

CFO | Founder

Andrew Medina is the Founder and Chief Financial Officer of Forthright Technology Partners, where he brings over 30 years of comprehensive experience in finance, accounting, and legal affairs. Andrew initially served as the Chief Executive Officer of the company from its founding over four decades ago, leading it through significant industry changes and ensuring its enduring success. His strategic vision and adaptability have been pivotal in navigating the complexities of a dynamic sector, helping Forthright Technology Partners thrive where many others have not.

In addition to his professional achievements, Andrew is an avid outdoorsman, with interests in sailing, boating, competitive shooting, and scuba diving.

 

Steve Zoberg

CRO | Founder

With 28 years at Forthright, Steve Zoberg has grown from Admin and Engineer roles to Chief Revenue Officer, where he expertly aligns business goals with strategic execution. His career highlights include leading a vital DOD project impacting 335,000 users worldwide and achieving a seven-year streak of 99.99% uptime as Chief Operating Officer for a Fortune 25 organization. Steve’s team was also a finalist for the Citrix Global Innovation Award in 2014 and 2015 for their innovative work with the Miami Marlins and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Known for his optimistic, solutions-oriented approach, Steve plays a pivotal role in driving Forthright’s continued success.

Outside the office, Steve enjoys a vibrant family life with his wife of 23 years, three children, and three large dogs. He’s passionate about cooking, camping, sledding, and taking road trips. A technology enthusiast, Steve is particularly fascinated by space travel, electric cars, and Tesla, drawing inspiration from innovators like Elon Musk. He embraces a forward-thinking philosophy, always focused on taking the next right step in both his professional and personal life to make a lasting impact.

Heath Gieson

CISO

Heath Gieson serves as the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Forthright Technology Partners, guiding the organization and its clients in implementing robust security and compliance measures. His IT journey began unexpectedly as a double major in Political Science and Journalism, where he brought his student newspaper into the digital age. This early passion for technology led him to various roles, from entry-level tech support to VP of Operations, eventually specializing in security and consulting.

Heath is known for his ability to simplify complex systems, making technical concepts accessible to all. He founded a Systems Integration firm in 2000, focusing on integrating security into everyday IT practices. His commitment to action and clear communication makes him a valuable leader at Forthright.

Outside of his professional life, Heath is a devoted husband and father, a music enthusiast who plays guitar in a band, and he enjoys solving challenges both in and out of the tech world. If he could choose a superpower, it would be the ability to absorb knowledge instantly, reflecting his passion for learning and discovery.