A Journey of Passion, Purpose, and Pride

From the moment Chris stepped into the world of ZEISS on September 24, 2001, Chris felt his life was set on a trajectory of growth, innovation, and deep human connection. What began as a career pivot from biomedical engineering to mechanical and electronic engineering became a journey of purpose, passion, and pride. Today, Chris is the Senior Production Manager ensuring customer measurement technologies are built as ordered.

Chris’s introduction to ZEISS was serendipitous. While attending technical school in Illinois, he heard glowing recommendations from classmates who had joined ZEISS as field service technicians. Their stories painted a picture of a company that embodied everything Chris loved: mechanics, electronics, computer science, and travel. It was the perfect combination of his passions, and he knew he had to be part of it.

“When I started with ZEISS, it was everything I loved to do wrapped up into one big ball,” Chris recalls. “It excited me to no end.”

But what truly stood out to Chris was the culture. From the very beginning, Chris felt the warmth of a close-knit, supportive environment. Technicians helped each other, shared knowledge, and worked together to solve challenges and deliver customer excellence. It was more than a job—it was a community.

As Chris’s career journey developed, his focus shifted to the broader ZEISS mission: innovation, precision, and customer excellence. He spearheaded initiatives focused on customer needs, doubling revenue, improving efficiency, and boosting morale across the team. But for Chris, his real pride in ZEISS is rooted knowing that ZEISS measurement technologies contribute to the processes manufacturers use to verify precision and quality.

“It makes me feel proud to know that we are enabling our customers to reach their ambitions in manufacturing the products we use every day,” he says.

One of Chris’s most memorable moments as a ZEISS technician took place during a meeting in Chicago. While entering an elevator, Chris encountered another colleague also wearing a ZEISS shirt. The colleague introduced himself, warmly greeted Chris, and expressed enthusiasm about finally meeting him, saying, “I’ve heard so much about you. I’m excited to meet you.” They shared breakfast together, and this colleague went on to become a valuable mentor who encouraged Chris to pursue his long-term goals.

“It made me feel part of the team,” Chris says. “That’s what ZEISS is about—the way people treat you, the culture of mentorship and development. It’s embedded in the foundation of the company, and it’s still present today.”

For Chris, the most rewarding part of his journey has been the impact he’s had on others. Whether it’s coaching technicians, mentoring future leaders, or improving morale on the production floor, his focus has always been on empowering people to succeed.

“When I look out at the production floor… I see people who are happy, thriving, and have that ZEISS pride in them,” Chris says. “Helping them grow and guiding them to be the best they can be—that’s what makes me feel successful.”

Chris hopes his legacy at ZEISS will be defined by trust, transparency, and a commitment to its values. “ I want people to remember me as someone who represented ZEISS’s values, who worked well with people, and who always had their best interests, the company’s best interests, and our customers’ success at heart.”

Chris’s story is a testament to how ZEISS values its people, its customers, and its mission. From his first day as a technician to his current role as Senior Production Manager, Chris applied the ZEISS values of innovation, empowerment, pragmatism, and collaboration to drive customer success.

“Our mission is to make sure that our customers are successful. We're their partner. We understand what they need and help them implement viable solutions to measure what they need to. Everything revolves around the customer: making sure we provide high quality measurement systems, excellent customer service, and take care of our customers with pride,” he said.

Through his passion, dedication, and leadership, Chris contributes to ZEISS’s success and enriches the lives of countless colleagues and customers. His journey is a reminder that at ZEISS, it’s about the people behind the technology and the lives it touches.