Chris formed Hawes Partners in 2006 after more than 6 years at Ray & Berndtson Executive Search, one of Canada's largest recruiting firms. While at Ray & Berndtson, Chris assisted in building senior management teams in the public, technology, manufacturing, and energy sectors. During that time, he earned a reputation as a highly effective search consultant, skilled in solving the most difficult assignments. Chris is acknowledged as one of the best "executive headhunters" in Canada. His unabashed style, honesty, and genuine affection for people also made him a unique property. Some of Chris' clients include Sustainable Development Technologies Canada, TenXc Wireless, Telecom Ottawa, Patheon Pharmaceuticals, QNX, the Ottawa Police Service and Brascan Energy. Chris began his career in International Finance and Currency Trading Operations with Bank of America. After moving to a position with Digital Equipment Corporation for several years, Chris embarked on a successful career as a writer and professional comedian. He was a contributing writer to the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. An entrepreneur, and creative talent, Chris built upon those successes and became sole owner and operator of a film and television production company with full ownership of a Yuk Yuk's Comedy Club, and a concert promotion company. In 1998 he was approached by Cognos Corporation to help develop a recruiting drive for new graduates. He created a Late Night Talk Show featuring the company CEO as the star guest in order to deliver information and capture attention. The format turned the traditional Job Fair on its side, and was featured on the front page of the Globe & Mail technology section. This lead to more similar assignments and eventually his affinity for, and natural ability in Executive Search lead him to accept an offer to join Ray and Berndtson full-time in early 2000.
Chris obtained his B.A. from Carleton University. He is a provincially recognized Mediator, accredited from University of Windsor Law School in civil litigation. He has been a board member of several companies, and is a strong community contributor, donating his time to Ottawa's Operation Go Home, the Ottawa Food Bank, and acting as the Honorary Chairman of the Sudbury District Kinsmen Home Lottery and various other charity events. Chris is also a frequent lecturer at Carleton University.