Chris was born in Wheeling, West Virginia and raised in Marshall County. He earned his undergraduate degree in Psychology, with honors, from West Virginia University in 2002. After graduation, Chris began working for West Virginia Governor Bob Wise, where he gained an appreciation for politics, law and West Virginia's unique characteristics. This experience led Chris to attend the West Virginia University College of Law, where he graduated with his degree in 2007. Early in his legal career, Chris was afforded the opportunity to work two legislative sessions for the Senate Judiciary Committee in the West Virginia Senate. During West Virginia's unique vacancy in the Office of the Governor, when then Governor Joe Manchin filled the United States Senate seat of the late Senator Robert C. Byrd, Chris joined the newly formed legal staff for Governor Earl Ray Tomblin. After his second legislative session with Governor Tomblin, Chris joined Agriculture Commissioner Walt Helmick's office as Chief of Staff where he performed a variety of legal, legislative, budgetary, and human resources duties. Prior to joining the firm of Pullin, Fowler, Flanagan, Brown & Poe, Chris spent four years focused on Economic Development with the Charleston Area Alliance.

Chris currently resides in South Charleston and enjoys spending time with his two sons, camping, hiking, canoeing, reading, hearing live music, and taking in WVU sports.