Chris was the co-author of the First Branch Forecast newsletter, first under Demand Progress Education Fund and then for POPVOX Foundation. The newsletter kept weekly tabs on Congressional reform topics and contextualized the political actions of Congress in the rules and organization of the chambers. Before that, he was the Senior Learning, Strategy, and Research Associate for the Governance Initiative at Democracy Fund, authoring its strategic plan and establishing its learning agenda. Chris also recruited and managed a portfolio of Congressional reform and technology grantees. This portfolio not only drove Congressional modernization efforts, but also provided critical technical support to the institution during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the last four years, Chris worked remotely while living in Yokosuka, Japan.

Chris got his start in Washington at CQ Roll Call, where he was part of the member information and research desk. His writing appeared in CQ Weekly and he authored the Connectivity blog on digital advocacy in Congress. Chris also has edited a smart cities newsletter for Fierce Markets.

Chris received his PhD in US History from the University of Virginia and has taught at colleges in Virginia, Arkansas, and Rhode Island. He specialized in 20th century political culture, specifically American nationalism between the world wars.

Chris was the co-author of the First Branch Forecast newsletter, first under Demand Progress Education Fund and then for POPVOX Foundation. The newsletter kept weekly tabs on Congressional reform topics and contextualized the political actions of Congress in the rules and organization of the chambers. Before that, he was the Senior Learning, Strategy, and Research Associate for the Governance Initiative at Democracy Fund. In that role, he created the initiative’s systems map to set the Congressional reform field’s understanding of how the institution had lost public trust. He also authored the Governance Initiative’s strategic plan and established its learning agenda. Chris recruited and managed a portfolio of Congressional reform and technology grantees and managed various research projects by Congressional experts. This portfolio not only drove Congressional modernization efforts, but also provided critical technical support to the institution during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the last four years, Chris worked remotely while living in Yokosuka, Japan.

Chris got his start in Washington at CQ Roll Call, where he was part of the member information and research desk that maintained product databases and created reference resources like the Congressional Member guide. His writing appeared in CQ Weekly and he authored the Connectivity blog on digital advocacy in Congress. Chris also has edited a smart cities newsletter for Fierce Markets.

Chris received his PhD in US History from the University of Virginia and has taught at colleges in Virginia, Arkansas, and Rhode Island. He specialized in 20th century political culture, specifically American nationalism between the world wars. Chris also earned his Bachelors of Arts in English Literature and History from UVa, writing for the Cavalier Daily throughout his undergraduate years. He remains an avid Wahoo sports fan.