EXPERIENCE

As one of the founding partners of Ascent, Chris has more than 30 years of venture investing expertise. He has led investments in market leading companies such as Hologic (Nasdaq HOLX), Vivid (Nasdaq: VVID, acquired by EG&G), MicroTouch (Nasdaq: MSTI), Voicetek (acquired by Aspect Telecom), ViewLogic (Nasdaq: VLGC, acquired by Summit Design) and VenturCom (acquired by Citrix). Today Chris is most focused on software and internet services opportunities, with investments including ZoomInfo and Bizo. Chris launched his career at TA Associates in 1977 right out of Harvard Business School at a time when, he says, few people had ever heard of the profession. At TA, he focused on communications and media investments before joining the Massachusetts Capital Corporation, where he served as an Investment Officer and Vice President. In 1984, Chris became President of MCC Corp., a spin-off of Massachusetts Capital Corporation that focused in the technology and broadcasting industries.

In helping to found Ascent in 1985, Chris brought with him the sound fundamentals of venture investing from his years at TA, and the real world experience of working through an inherited portfolio of companies at Massachusetts Capital Corporation. When forming Ascent, Chris’s experience investing through various industry cycles helped to shape the firm’s disciplined, fundamental approach to venture that remains consistent at the firm today.

EDUCATION

BS in Political Science from Colgate University. MBA from Harvard Business School.

LIFE OUTSIDE WORK

Chris enjoys skiing, biking, hiking and running, especially in Vermont, where he has a home. He continues to try to play Blues/Jazz guitar, and is active in the New Church of Concord. Chris and his wife also support and administer KATIE’S RACES, which include a half marathon, 5k, and The Purple Shoes Challenge, a competitive indoor event for people with physical disabilities, created to further the work of his daughter who died in 2002. His family, including two grown sons, also supports Children’s Hospital Boston and Understanding Our Differences, an interactive disability awareness curriculum that teaches primary school children to “see the person and not the disability.”