About Me

My Story

Everyone has a life outside of work, and that is important in it’s own right. You can see Chris’ professional achievements and history here, but outside of work… who is Chris?

Chris has been involved in many things outside the office.  He is a high level martial artist, currently holding a 5th degree black belt in Danzan Ryu JuJitsu and has practiced numerous other arts over the past 27 years.  Martial arts is a very important part of his life, teaching strategy, tactics, determination, humility, ability to bounce back, among other things.  His martial arts career has enabled him to travel to instruct at various conventions around the U.S. as well as to teach for law enforcement, military, civilians and even commercial air crew with a program he designed to train defend the aircraft from various dangerous situations.  Through his company Level 5 Combat Systems Ltd, he teaches many self defense skills to women, men and teens.  He has been featured in self defense videos as well as on a number of Denver news channels as a self defense expert.  Outside of martial arts, music is his other big passion. Chris is a professional musician, playing bass guitar since 1986.  He currently plays in several bands and has become a backup player for other bands. Not only does he play instruments, but he is a certified luthier (one who builds and repairs stringed instrument) and has been since 1993.  True to form, Chris loves to make things… guitars, websites, high performing teams and has even brewed beer for the past 20 years.  He created and ran a popular home brewing website for 10 years, writing articles on beer and food pairing as well as other brewing related topics.  Chris is also a Certified Beer Judge.

One of Chris’ biggest passions is teaching.  He has taught martial arts, brewing, beer judge certification prep, web design, cooking and many aspects of technology.  One of his instructors once said “Chris is here to make us better.”  That is a sentiment that he carries with him every day.  One of Chris’ favorite sayings is “What I want is to leave every person and every place in a better state than when I found them.”

Chris currently resides in the Phoenix, AZ area with his wife and 2 dogs.