Biography

Chris, a native of central Virginia, spent his childhood in the suburbs of Richmond, where his summers were filled with neighborhood swim meets and endless hours at the local pool. Intrigued by electronics from a young age, Chris found himself torn between competitive video gaming with his brothers and the mischievous exploration of household electronics. Dealing with dyslexia presented challenges in reading and writing, but it never deterred his innate curiosity.

In high school, Chris took a transformative step by joining the Monacan High School Humanities Center to confront his dyslexia head-on. It was here that he encountered his first programming class, igniting a passion that would shape his future. Simple Java programs became a source of exhilaration, leading to friendly competitions with classmates to complete daily assignments.

Embarking on his undergraduate journey in Computer Engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University, Chris not only honed his skills in electronics but also delved into his burgeoning hobby of home automation. Surrounded by like-minded individuals who inspired and challenged him, Chris's passion for technology continued to grow. His senior year culminated in the development of FPRock, a groundbreaking FPGA-based model rocket telemetry system with a live data link to a laptop ground station. The project earned top honors in the Electrical and Computer Engineering department and received the prestigious People's Choice Award across all engineering departments.

Post-graduation, Chris seamlessly transitioned into the professional realm as a software developer, where he continues to merge his technical expertise with a lifelong love for innovation. His journey reflects not only his resilience in overcoming challenges but also his unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of what technology can achieve.