Chris Wise

After graduating from the University of Missouri with a degree in marketing and economics, Chris began his professional marketing career in the recorded music business. Working for the nation's largest vertically integrated music distribution company, located in Minneapolis, Chris had the good fortune to head the in-house marketing communications activities for its retail division.

With a great lead from a friend, Chris later became Director of Marketing Services for the U.S. brands of a multinational consumer electronics corporation.

Having an inquisitive mind and a thirst for knowledge about what makes humans respond to messages, he turned his focus to his real passion—research. More education, and thousands of investigative hours later as a Level III Advanced RIVA-certified moderator, Chris has conducted focus groups, studies based on individual in-depth interviews and two- and three-person micro groups. Additionally, his work includes hundreds of quantitative and hybrid studies.

All his work focuses on providing vital market information to strategically-focused organizations—fields ranging from tourism to healthcare, auto racing to financial services and economic development to boating.

He spends his spare time as board leadership for nonprofit organizations ranging from social service agencies to faith-focused organizations, professional organizations and historic sites/venues. But, mostly, Chris loves spending time with his wife doing anything, everything and nothing.