Chris has a unique ability to see, analyze and capitalize on opportunities others miss.  A great teacher, mentor and coach, Chris invests in the professional development of anyone he works with.

 

While in college, Chris was promoted to his first leadership role as the manager of a small, rental marina where he discovered his passion for leadership and organizational turnarounds that have been the foundation of his success. After some quick analysis and review of the P&L, Chris modified pricing and product mix, increased utilization of assets and upgraded talent growing same store sales 4.2% and NOI 35.2%.  

 

After college, Chris spent a year working as a Leadership Consultant for the Sigma Chi International Fraternity where visited and advised groups at 39 campuses and created new leadership programs.

 

Chris then joined RR Donnelley in 1991 as a sales assistant. After several promotions Chris was tapped to serve as VP/GSM for the Western US in 1997.  With each promotion Chris guided underperforming teams to top decile performance.  Chris grew contribution margin 24% by seeking out new and innovative ways to grow the business, streamlining processes and mobilizing the organization around a common vision.  

 

Chris was recruited by NowDocs, a SaaS startup as VP of Sales and Marketing where he worked alongside the CEO and CFO to transform and sell the company.  During his tenure Chris secured a strategic relationship with Xerox and quadrupled the installed customer base. 

 

Chris was hired by FedEx Office to serve as VP of Strategic Accounts where he built and led a team that grew revenue 64%.  Promoted to lead the new, commercial marketing and products organization Chris further segmented the market, developed new value propositions, and services targeted at specific vertical markets.  Chris also created and launched “Information Logistics” which leveraged Kinko’s and FedEx networks producing a unique value proposition that generated $15M in revenue in the first year.

 

In 2005 Chris joined Oakwood as SVP of Corporate Sales & Marketing.  He grew revenues 11% by successfully transforming the sales and marketing organization, segmenting the customer base and focusing on the Relocation and Government verticals.  Chris also conceived and launched an e-procurement platform (epic@) growing $6M in new revenue the first year.

 

Chris was engaged to build the Commercial Effectiveness Practice for TPG Capital where he led successful engagements improving sales, marketing, merchandising and field operations at technology, oil and gas, industrial, healthcare and retail companies while building out a commercial ecosystem of tools, process and resources.

 

Chris returned to Oakwood as CEO in mid-2016 and rebuilt the executive team while leading the company through a complex transition from 57 years of independent ownership to become a subsidiary of a Sovereign Wealth Investment Firm based in Singapore.  Over his tenure Chris stabilized the company, entered new geographies, negotiated strategic partnerships and drove efficiency across the organization.

 

Chris lives in Encinitas, CA with his wife Jill and has two children, Audrey and Charles.  Chris enjoys outdoor activities, consulting for local startups, supporting a variety of local, nonprofit organizations and semi-successfully puttering around the house.