Chris graduated from Arizona State University (cum laude) and University of Arizona law school (Law Review). After law school Chris was a Captain, United States Marine Corps (JAG), and an honors graduate of the Naval Justice School in Newport, Rhode Island.

Chris has more than 20 years of experience as an Arizona real estate broker and as a State Bar certified real estate specialist. Chris writes a Sunday column in the Arizona Republic newspaper on real estate questions and answers.

Chris is a former president of both the Maricopa County Bar Association and the Phoenix Symphony Council.

Chris is a former member of the Pittsburgh Pirates minor league baseball organization, and was selected to the All-Marine Corps basketball team.