Jackets of All Trades: Chris Ruggiero

On any given day, as the photo and video producer for the Enterprise Innovation Institute at Georgia Tech (EI2), Chris Ruggiero is juggling multiple responsibilities, but he's used to it.  

Ruggiero is a former professional juggler, and his journey from backyard birthday parties to Hollywood led to the discovery of a passion for content creation.  

Ruggiero watched his dad juggle around the house, so he started practicing and continued to hone his craft, joining the juggling and magic club as a student at Penn State University. While he graduated with a bachelor's degree in science, his plan to become a high school teacher was shelved as he learned more about creating an act that landed him on stages and television sets nationwide.  

To separate himself from other performers, Ruggiero began shooting videos of his acts to share with producers. After his industry peers saw him juggling fire on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and juggling meatballs with Martha Stewart and Snoop Dog, they wanted to know his secret.  

"Fifteen years ago, without the benefit of today's cellphones, I needed to learn to create high-quality videos of myself, so I learned about the different techniques, cameras, and lenses that I could use. Other performers started asking me to help them shoot promotional videos, and it snowballed from there to the point where I was able to stay behind the camera and focus solely on creating content for other performers and, eventually, businesses," he said.  

Ruggiero moved to Atlanta and joined EI2 in 2023, and while he no longer performs, the skills he learned were a perfect fit for his role in promoting the mission of Tech’s economic development arm through video content. Coaching subjects to share their stories or setting up in unique locations are examples of transferable skills that Ruggiero brought with him to Georgia Tech, along with his ability to craft a narrative.  

"Whether it's video content for Georgia Tech or being on stage doing juggling tricks, the storytelling and engagement tactics are the same. We want to grab the viewers' attention, keep them engaged, and have them walk away with a sense of wonder. As a performer, I never wanted people to simply say, 'He was a good juggler.' I wanted audiences to take something from the show or feel inspired to try something new, and it's the same with the content we produce. We want viewers to learn something, engage with our programs, and take that next step," he said.  

With the freedom to add his own flair and style to the content he produces, Ruggiero doesn't shy away from his past. His talent is no longer a secret after sharing his tricks with his team, and he encourages anyone with a hidden talent to bring it into their work.  

"Everyone has a past and has built skills and knowledge along the way," he said. "Georgia Tech allows people like me to use different skill sets, take things from my past, and implement them here. Something that motivates me to come to work each day is being able to use the skills I've accumulated to tell stories through the photos and videos we create, showing how Georgia Tech is making a difference."