BOONE—Matthew J. Szulik will be the commencement speaker for ceremonies Dec. 13 at Appalachian State University.

Szulik is chairman of the board of Red Hat, the world’s leading open source and Linux provider headquartered in Raleigh. He also is a member of Appalachian’s Board of Trustees.

Szulik will speak to graduates at the 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. ceremonies in the Holmes Convocation Center.

Szulik joined Red Hat in 1998 as chief operating officer. He served as president and CEO from 1999 to 2008, and has been chairman of the company’s board of directors since 2002 and a director since 1999.

Szulik shared a similar vision with Red Hat founder Bob Young that the collaborative approach of open source and a great brand could redistribute the economics of the technology industry from vendor to customer. Szulik has been instrumental in fostering this vision, which has led to Red Hat’s success as a profitable public open source software company with one of the world’s most recognized technology brands.

Red Hat employs 2,500 individuals in more than 58 offices worldwide.

Szulik was named the Ernst and Young National Entrepreneur of the Year and the Ernst and Young Technology Entrepreneur of the Year in 2008. He received CIO Magazine’s Vision Award in 2006. Szulik chaired the N.C. Economic Development Board of Science and Technology from 2004-07.

Earlier this year, Szulik was appointed to Appalachian’s Board of Trustees where he serves on the Academic Affairs, Audit, and University Advancement committees as well as the Endowment Fund Board.

He also was the keynote speaker at the annual Carole Moore McLeod Entrepreneur Summit, sponsored by Appalachian’s Walker College of Business and Center for Entrepreneurship.

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