Chris Soukup Email & Phone Number

Austin, Texas, Us

CSD is a global social impact organization supporting the advancement of deaf and disability communities. Dimensions of CSD include an innovative contact center solutions group, a social venture fund, a community foundation, a professional services unit, and a center for community-centered health care initiatives. As CEO, I lead a geographically dispersed team of talented professionals working to deliver a broad continuum of products, programs, and services. I work closely with company leaders to develop long-range strategy; manage a 40+M P&L; consult with corporations, community-based organizations, and government entities; interface with the public and national media; and support numerous boards.In my time as CEO, we have:*Launched the first social impact venture fund specifically for deaf and disabled entrepreneurs*Introduced a new community foundation dedicated to building the capacity and impact of nonprofit organizations serving deaf and disabled populations*Built a high performing technology organization that has developed numerous software products including an online marketplace to disrupt the model for sign language interpreting service delivery*Worked with video communications technology platforms to innovate a new model and solution for direct video communication customer service for deaf and hard of hearing consumers*Created and cultivated multiple platforms including online job boards to support and advance employment opportunities for deaf and disability communities*Developed and deployed nationally scaled platform for online learning in American Sign Language for deaf learners*Launched an online marketplace to match deaf and disabled independent contractors with contract job opportunities*Provided regular consultation services to numerous Fortune 500 companies, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and government entities on disability and accessibility-related topics.

Austin, Texas, Us

As President of CSD, I was the senior operations executive responsible for leading the entirety of the company’s day-to-day business in accordance with and under the guidance of the long-range strategic objectives established by the Chairman/CEO and the CSD Board of Directors. In this capacity, I worked closely with the Chairman/CEO and other company leaders to evaluate global business performance and ensure that key growth indicators and financial objectives were fully achieved.I directed the activity of the CSD executive management team and supported a global organization of more than 1500 full time, part time, and contract employees interspersed in CSD locations throughout the contiguous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and New Zealand. I was accountable for supporting the business P&L spanning all major business units within CSD.

Austin, Texas, Us

Previously, I led and supported the entirety of CSD's business operations which (at that time) included: *our national network of telecommunications relay services (CSD Relay) *our continuum of premier sign language interpreting programs (CSD Interpreting) *our innovative customer service outsourcing business (CSD Contact Centers) *the implementation of an emerging programs division focused on the provision of specialized video agent based services. This group led the deployment of a nationwide program to elevate sustainable broadband adoption within the deaf and hard of hearing community. This campaign was known as Project Endeavor. (http://www.projectendeavor.com)*In addition to supporting operational teams, I also provided direction to a number of key administrative groups within our organization including sales, marketing, business development, information technology, legal, human resources, and project management.

Austin, Texas, Us

I was previously responsible for leading CSD's combined global contact center network. *At the time, the business unit had an annual operating budget of more than $30,000,000 per year and it was comprised of approximately 1,000 employees working from more than a dozen locations across the United States. *I was directly accountable for directing multi-million dollar client relationships with Sprint, Qwest, several state customers, and the Federal Government. *This support arena included day to day oversight of contact center operations, information technology, marketing/outreach, client relationship management and new business development.

Austin, Texas, Us

As Chief Strategic Officer, I was primarily responsible for providing guidance to all company business groups regarding their short and long term goals. This position was a cross functional one that required collaboration with every business unit within the company. Through global evaluations of the products and services provided by CSD and its subsidiary companies, I was accountable for providing direction to best position the company for growth in both present and future market conditions. This role also involved a review of new business opportunities, market and product research, and product life-cycle management. Additionally, I was directly responsible for an annual budget of more than $10,000,000, provided direct supervision to CSD’s subsidiary companies (CSD Contact Centers) and several other departments within the parent organization.

Austin, Texas, Us

In this role, I was responsible for supporting all of the business units (marketing, sales, customer service, product management, new business development) that generate revenue for the company. During my tenure in this position I led the formation and implementation of a national sales organization that included (at peak) sales professionals in ten locations across the country; I collaborated with my team to develop product marketing strategy for five major business groups; I supported the introductory roll-out of a interdepartmental CRM solution to manage sales opportunities and existing accounts; and I oversaw a full calendar of promotional events and sophisticated marketing campaigns. These efforts involved working with numerous internal and external resources to create new revenue streams for CSD. I also provided executive leadership to CSD’s subsidiary, CSD Contact Centers, approximately 250 employees, and a combined operating budget of approximately $10,000,000.

Austin, Texas, Us

While serving in this capacity, I was the senior executive in charge of a start-up for-profit subsidiary of CSD. The company was implemented from a working concept and had virtually zero income at the time the new business was established. I was ultimately responsible for the entirety of the business operation including strategic planning, budgeting, operational infrastructure and implementation. The company had less than a dozen employees initially and grew to more than 200 employees within the first 18 months of operation. I was accountable for the streamlining of organizational resources and the evolution of the company into a profitable resource for CSD. Our management group successfully positioned CSD Contact Centers to be awarded multi-million dollar contracts with several Fortune 500 companies over a multi-year period including Qwest and America Online.

Austin, Texas, Us

As Director of Operations, I supported two contact centers operating outside of CSD’s relay network. I supported a team of 75 employees, a budget of more than $5,000,000, and was heavily involved with new business development. This role provided me with intensive exposure to the operational and technological components of CSD’s contact center business. I later was involved in the re-engineering of the technology to include web, text, and video components to better position CSD for future growth.

Austin, Texas, Us

In my role as AVP of Development, I was directly responsible for supporting the acquisition of several smaller non-for-profit organizations strategically assumed by CSD to expand into new markets. I also personally sold millions of dollars worth of advertising, interpreting, contact center, and other program services during this period. I was involved as a team member in the ramp up of CSD’s Video Relay Service and had a principal role in supporting the national marketing of this product which ultimately grew into a $25,000,000 revenue stream for CSD.

Austin, Tx, Us

Silver Spring, Maryland, Us

Rochester, New York, Us

Executive Mba

Bachelor Of Science, Business Administration