Chris is a creative entrepreneur, catalytic collaborator, and promoter of sustainable philanthropy. His ventures in technology, brewing, historic redevelopment, and entertainment reflect his commitment to creating places that foster connection and community. Many of his projects sit at the intersection of brewing, music, history and community, blending culture and commerce in ways that bring people together.
After studying Liberal Arts at the University of Michigan and working for a microbrewery in the Pacific Northwest, Chris launched his first telecommunications company, Concord, named to represent the harmony between people and groups. Today, Concord Technologies is recognized nationwide for bringing automation to manual workflows through cloud-based management of healthcare data. He also founded Old Stove Brewing Company in 2016 in Seattle’s iconic Pike Place Market, which has since expanded and received numerous honors, including Seattle’s Best Brewery Taproom in 2018.
Chris grew up in the Village of Vicksburg, where his family has roots dating back to the 1840s. His parents and grandparents were community leaders who instilled in him the small-town values of service, integrity, and collaboration—lessons that continue to shape his work and vision.
For over a century, Vicksburg’s economic engine and cultural hub was the former Lee Paper Mill, where Chris’s grandfather and father built their careers—and where Chris and his brother worked during college summers. When the wrecking ball threatened the beloved mill, Chris knew he had to step in.
Motivated by a passion for historic preservation and a vision for sustainable economic revitalization, Chris devoted himself to purchasing and restoring The Mill at Vicksburg. He studies the history of the Village in depth and invests the majority of his time in helping his hometown reclaim its economic and cultural vibrancy. Through The Mill Group, Chris blends entrepreneurship with stewardship, ensuring that the Village’s historic buildings and The Mill campus become a living testament to Vicksburg’s past, present, and future.