Chris served as the first-ever Energy & Environment, Science, Technology and Health (ESTH) Officer for the United States Mission to the African Union from 2022-2025. He was responsible for developing and leading diplomatic initiatives and programs to advance the US Mission to the African Union’s energy and ESTH engagement strategies by working with the African Union (AU) Commission and with like-minded Missions to the AU to coordinate and leverage joint diplomatic engagements to advance shared objectives and identify opportunities to enhance U.S. influence. During his tour in Addis Ababa, Chris led USAU for considerable periods as both Chargé d’Affaires and Acting Deputy Chief of Mission.
Chris joined USAU after serving as the Deputy Political and Economic Counselor in Juba, South Sudan, where he focused on public financial management reform efforts and its linkages with corruption in the oil sector. Previously, Chris served from 2017-2021 as the Regional Environment Officer for East Africa, where he developed and implemented strategies and initiatives on transboundary environment, science, and global health issues in a 15-nation region.
Chris studied biology at Reed College, received his Master of Environmental Management from Yale University’s School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, and served in the Peace Corps for three years where he worked for the Uganda Wildlife Authority in Lake Mburo National Park. After graduate school, Chris worked for the U.S. Forest Service in Washington, D.C.—as a Presidential Management Fellow—and then moved back home to San Diego, California, where he worked on the Palomar Ranger District of the Cleveland National Forest. Chris joined the Foreign Service in 2005 and has served in London, Managua, Lilongwe, Basrah, Santiago, Addis Ababa, and Juba.
Chris joined the IOA team as Economic Competitiveness Program Director, effective August 1, 2026.