Born in Detroit and raised in the town of West Branch, MI, Chris is a graduate of Michigan Technological University with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Business Administration. Concurrent to his civilian studies, he participated in MTU’s Reserve Officer Training Corp program where he received a Regular Army Commission in Infantry as a Second Lieutenant and entered Active Duty with the United States
Army upon university graduation with a Regular Army Commission.

Upon completion of various professional development courses at Ft. Benning, GA, he was assigned to the Berlin Brigade in Berlin Germany during and after the fall of the Berlin Wall as Rifle Platoon Leader and Assistant Battalion Adjutant (Personnel Officer).

After military service, Chris transitioned into civilian life as the Vice President - Employment & Employee Relations Manager, and subsequently Vice President - Employment & Training Manager, for D&N Bank in Hancock, MI where he worked for five years.

Next, he accepted a Call Center, Sales and Project Management position with CRT & Associates, a subsidiary of The Hamar Group, in Traverse City, MI, specializing in database management systems and service center operations for utility organizations. Concurrently, he also performed various corporate human resources functions for The Hamar Group. With nine years of service at CRT, Chris was promoted to Director of Sales & Marketing at Horner Flooring Company, another subsidiary of The Hamar Group, in Dollar Bay, MI. Founded in 1891, Horner Flooring is the nation’s oldest tongue and groove, hardwood flooring manufacturer specializing in athletic gymnasium flooring utilized by the NBA, NCAA and many schools, universities and athletic clubs around the globe.

After close to 20 years of service with The Hamar Group, Chris elected to pursue an opportunity with St. Croix Rods in Park Falls, WI, the nation’s largest fishing rod manufacturer, allowing him to blend his professional experience with personal passion. As St. Croix’s Customer Operations Manager, his leadership responsibilities included: inside sales, consumer and retailer order fulfillment including EDI, customer service (including warranty), consumer and retailer product education, finished goods inventory management and organizational shipping.

Recently, Chris became an owner manager with Neuvokas Corp, the nation’s leading manufacturer of composite rebar for flatwork, concentrating in sales and marketing, key account and human resource management.

He and his wife Lois reside in Houghton, MI with one dog and three cats where he is an avid angler and hunter.