Chris Lord (CTAB Chairman)
Since his graduation from USC over 25yrs ago, Chris has been an active leader with several local universities and executive networking groups around topics and sessions that help practically enable people to be better prepared for the real-world. Although his background is Aerospace Engineering and he worked on the Space Shuttle, don’t be fooled.. He is a Business Strategist with deep technology roots that excels in understanding how human connections and relationships enable leaders and businesses to grow and thrive.
Chris has successfully built 4 Management Consulting businesses in Southern California, most recently as the General Manager for Slalom Consulting, where he led the Practice’s growth from under $2mil in 2010 to $30mil in 2015. At Slalom, he was responsible for development and execution of all go to market solutions, Client and Vendor relationship success, and talent acquisition and retention.
After ‘retirement’ in Dec of 2015, he founded his own firm, Bridge Builder Coaching, to help Military Veterans through tough transitions in their lives, a goal of his ever since graduating from The Naval Science Institute at the Naval War College in Newport, RI, with the US Marine Corps in 1988. By leveraging his 20yrs of experience in Executive Coaching, Bridge Builder Coaching helps Veterans transition out of Military service and into the corporate world thru personal 1-on-1 coaching, assessments, networking, introductions, and facilitation. Chris believes that every Veteran needs support building their bridge to their next success.
His passions are around communications (giving great presentations, building and cultivating relationships, and networking), career development (interviewing, setting a career target, and defining success), and personal growth (building a personal brand, achieving work-life balance, and finding your purpose).
Chris regularly gives talks around Southern California on Career Transition, Business Growth, Relationship Success, and Leadership. His most recent topics are “Courageous Leadership in Fearful Times” and “Don’t Play for Second Place”. He has 2 sons, Alec (20) a Junior at USC studying Computer Science and Ethan (18) a high school Senior and social entrepreneur. Chris enjoys soccer, riding motocross, backpacking, and snowboarding.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clord1