Quick Chats with Inntopia’s Coolest Cats: Chris Eaton

Inntopia is a technology company powered by some of the best, smartest, and coolest people you’ll ever meet. Internally, we get to interact with them every day. You may not have this pleasure, but this series may help you feel like you do.

Chris Eaton, Business Development, Stowe, Vermont

As far as super humans go, Chris pretty much scores a 9.5 out of 10. An avid outdoorsman, he fills his days at the office delivering demos to prospective partners, writing contracts, and offering valuable insight to co-workers. Off-business hours, Chris is well-known for long cross-country runs, morning telemark skis,  coaching hockey clinics, quick rounds of golf, and even a few casts for fish in the brook behind the office.
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Pascale: Let’s start with the basics. Name, location, and family.
Chris: My name is Chris Eaton, I live in Waterbury, VT. Before that I lived in Oregon and Colorado. My wife Pam and I have one son, Harley, who is 2.5 years old. Fun fact: Harley completed his first chairlift and ski run when he was 19 months old!

Pascale: What were you up to before you became an Inntopian?
Chris: I worked at an Electric Reliability Consulting Firm in Waterbury, VT.

Pascale: How long have you been working at Inntopia?
Chris: I started on Halloween 2017 and got to meet co-workers for the first time while some were wearing costumes. (Chris was originally hired as a Strategic Account Manager, and moved to Sales after about a year.)

Pascale: Do you volunteer for any non-profit organizations??
Chris: While I don’t directly volunteer with Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports, I do raise money for them most years as a Charity Runner during the Vermont 100 Endurance Run held every July. I wholeheartedly believe in the VASS organization. Pam and I love skiing and being outdoors and VASS brings this experience to people who might not have that opportunity otherwise. I have been fortunate to get to talk with VASS athletes and hear about all the opportunities they are provided which are absolutely amazing.

Pascale: What is the most challenging thing that you have ever done?
Chris: I am going to keep to the theme of Ultra Running on this. I was fortunate enough to compete in the CCC race which is part of the UTMB trail series over in Chamonix, France in summer 2018. This race was over 100 kilometers with 20,000 vertical feet of climbing which was one of the most difficult physical efforts I have endured. What may have been more challenging was having to travel the day after the race with my family, including my 16-month-old son, and moving our luggage through multiple train connections. And guess what?  I was dumb enough to sign up to run it again in 2020!

Pascale: Who is your main inspiration and why?
Chris: This is a tough question as there are so many people to be inspired by. My main inspirations come from those who fight adversity but continue to persevere regardless of their situation and even more so those people who do it with a positive attitude and optimistic outlook. These people are all around us and can face adversity in so many ways.

Pascale: What are your hopes for the future?
Chris: My hope for the future is to be the best dad I can be. I want to provide Harley with opportunities in all aspects of his life. Whether it be outdoor adventures, learning experiences, travel, education and so much more.

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Also read about Jesse George here.