Media Release - Gavin James

Forbes Communications Council is an invitation-only community for executives in communications, marketing, and PR; Mr. Smith was selected by the review committee after an in-depth review of his experience and professional accomplishments; As result of his selection and membership, Mr. Smith invited share his expert insights in original business articles on Forbes.com

Columbia, SC — Today, Forbes Councils announced that Gavin J. Smith, Communications Director for cybersecurity firm PC Matic and South Carolina based communications, marketing, and public relations professional, has been accepted into the Forbes Communications Council.

An invitation-only community for executives in communications, marketing, and public relations, Mr. Smith was vetted and selected by a review committee based on the depth and diversity of his experience. Criteria for acceptance include a track record of successfully impacting business growth metrics, as well as personal and professional achievements and honors.

“We are honored to welcome Gavin into the community,” said Scott Gerber, founder of Forbes Councils, the collective that includes Forbes Communications Council. “Our mission with Forbes Councils is to bring together proven leaders from every industry, creating a curated, social capital-driven network that helps every member grow professionally and make an even greater impact on the business world.”

As an accepted member of the Council, Gavin has access to a variety of exclusive opportunities designed to help him reach peak professional influence. Gavin will connect and collaborate with other respected local leaders in a private forum. Gavin will also be invited to work with a professional editorial team to share his expert insights in original business articles on Forbes.com, and to contribute to published Q&A panels alongside other experts.

Finally, Gavin will benefit from exclusive access to vetted business service partners, membership-branded marketing collateral, and the high-touch support of the Forbes Councils member concierge team.

“This is a tremendous honor,” said Gavin Smith, Communications Director for cybersecurity firm PC Matic. “In our increasingly connected and cyber-reliant world, effective communications have never been more important. I am humbled by the Council’s recognition and could not be more grateful for the opportunity to serve on the highly regarded Forbes Communications Council. I look forward to serving with my fellow council members, contributing to these very important conversations, and learning from the expertise of other council members as I work to advance the brand of PC Matic.”

ABOUT FORBES COUNCILS

Forbes Councils is a collective of invitation-only communities created in partnership with Forbes and the expert community builders who founded Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC). In Forbes Councils, exceptional business owners and leaders come together with the people and resources that can help them thrive.

For more information about Forbes Communications Council, visit forbescommcouncil.com. To learn more about Forbes Councils, visit forbescouncils.com.

ABOUT PC MATIC

Founded in 1999, PC Matic is an American cybersecurity software solution provider headquartered in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. PC Matic operates remotely with employees across the United States and was originally established with the sole purpose of creating a better way to diagnose common computer problems. As cyber threats began to evolve, the company developed its patented globally automated whitelist technology. This technology provides users with essential security that enhances the zero-trust model, fills potential gaps left by traditional endpoint protection software solutions, and provides an additional layer of protection from increasingly complex cyber threats. PC Matic’s holistic approach to cybersecurity, application allowlisting, is now the recommended gold standard for cybersecurity and ransomware prevention. The technology is recommended by CISA, NIST, the FBI, and thought leaders and scholars within the field of cybersecurity. PC Matic also features remote monitoring and management capabilities, fileless malware detection, and RDP port protection from brute force attacks. Together, these technologies provide the best security protection for organizations of all sizes and their endpoint devices via its economical and efficient cloud-based platform.

For more information about PC Matic, visit www.pcmatic.com.

Earlier this summer, it appeared as if we were so close to victory in our seemingly never ending battle with COVID-19. Vaccination rates were climbing, cases were declining, and life appeared to be returning to normal.

Despite promising signals of a return to normal, according to data from the CDC, COVID-19 cases are once again climbing, hospitals are reaching their maximum capacities, and the COVID-19 Delta variant is surging.

Amidst the surge, the CDC recently reported that individuals between 18 and 49 make up the largest demographic of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Amongst their peers, people in the same age group, particularly those under 30, also represent a population with one of the lowest vaccination rates.

I, too, a 29-year-old male, admit that I was hesitant to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Despite having served at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and having worked alongside our nation’s top doctors and scientists at the FDA, CDC, and NIH, I still opted not to get the vaccine right away because I was concerned about possible side effects.

Moreover, having worked for the federal government, I couldn’t help but recall just how long it takes for the government to get anything done. It worried me that the vaccine was developed and approved for distribution in such a short amount of time.

Nonetheless, it wasn’t the conspiracy theories or the media that influenced my hesitancy. I wasn’t anti-vax or anti-science like some assumed. In all actuality, I have immense respect for healthcare workers – especially my mom, who’s a nurse.

Instead, it boiled down to nerves and making an informed decision for myself.

Ultimately, after consulting with my doctor and doing my own research via trusted sources such as the CDC and FDA, I made the decision to get the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for these three reasons:

First, I determined that the risks of being unvaccinated far outweighed the potential risks of side effects from the vaccine. Quite frankly, every vaccine comes with some sort of associated risks, and oftentimes, mild side effects like headaches and fatigue.

The efficacy of these vaccines is high. Clinical trials found the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines to be between 94% and 95% effective, and the Johnson and Johnson vaccine was found to be about 66% effective. In other words, if vaccinated, odds are you won’t get COVID-19.

The second reason? People my age play an important role in axing this pandemic.

As football and fall festivities begin, we’re far more likely to spend time in social settings. If we’re not getting vaccinated, but continue to socialize with one another, we’re only going to continue spreading it amongst ourselves. This will only continue to exacerbate the problem.

Lastly, it seemed hypocritical not to get the vaccine. From Instagram stories to Tik Toks, we’re immersed in a vomitorium of influencer ads for protein shakes and supplements – all products that are not regulated by the FDA but widely consumed by people my age.

If we’re all so gung-ho on trying these products, why are we so hesitant to get a vaccine that’s received full FDA approval? This makes zero sense to me, and I decided to side with science.

These reasons aside, getting vaccinated also just seems like the right thing to do.

Ignore the conspiracy theories. The COVID-19 Delta variant is on the rise, and getting the vaccine is the safest way to protect yourself, your family and your community.

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This op-ed was originally posted in The State. You may find the original post here.

Gavin J. Smith is a Lexington, SC resident and a former deputy communications director for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services during the Trump administration.

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