KIWANIS MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Born and raised in Massachusetts, Chris Contino has a New England commitment to working hard toward success, in work, in family, and giving back to the community where he lives. Chris and his family have lived in Carefree for over three years and is an active youth sports coach volunteer in support of his two children, aged 8 and 6. He makes sure to set aside time from his work and
community activity for his children.

Early in his life he made a significant contribution to his country, having won a ROTC scholarship to the College of William and Mary. He graduated in 2003 with not only his degree in History, but also a ROTC Commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army. This is where he first developed his leadership skills having been on active duty for 5 years, rising to the rank of Captain in the 7th US Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. He directed combat assignments over 14 months in Mosul, Iraq during the Surge campaign from 2006 to 2007, where he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Iraq Campaign Medal. Chris also is a proud graduate of the US Army Airborne School, Air Assault School, and Rappel Master School.

He departed active service in 2008 and began his private sector career joining Kraft Foods as a Maintenance Engineer and Operations Supervisor. He then shifted his professional life to international financial responsibilities in Singapore and then to the Executive Search sector in Hong Kong where he ran their China operations from 2014 to 2016 and served as General Manager.

Along the way he “recruited” his college sweetheart Emily and they began their family, so their children were born in International settings.

Chris has been traveling to Arizona for many years and has family here; and his wife, Emily, graduated from ASU with an MBA so it was natural for them to settle in Carefree. He joined Kiwanis nearly two years ago and has already volunteered for significant contributions on the Marketplace and Membership Committees.

Kiwanis benefits from a very wide range of member skills and experiences, please consider coming forward with your skills and experience and invest them with us.

We do it all, “for the kids.”