Chris Anderson
Award-Winning Credit Union Marketer
Let’s go way back
This isn't just a 20-year timeline; it's a chronicle of transformation. Witness the growth and evolution of an aspiring creative into a seasoned professional, fueled by a relentless pursuit of curiosity and a desire to improve the world around him.
2003
On scholarship to play guitar for Campus Country, Chris entered college to pursue a degree in music business. Outside campus, Chris built a reputation as a local concert promoter, organizing nearly 100 concerts over 5 years and building a safe community for hundreds of youth who regularly attended shows under the moniker WAY Entertainment. Chris would use MySpace as a networking tool to promote shows, essentially jumpstarting his experience in social media advertising and community organizing.
“Chris put in the work by booking the bands, promoting the shows, and running production. By doing so, he built a vibrant underground music scene in Tupelo throughout the mid-2000’s that impacted hundreds of lives.”
During this time, Chris would cut his teeth at graphic design and gain a basic understanding of marketing by making posters to promote his concerts and designing merchandise for his band.
2006
While still earning his degree at university, Chris began his career as Event Technology Supervisor at the Marriott Shoals Hotel & Spa, a AAA Four-Diamond resort hotel and conference center, polishing the skills he developed by organizing concerts.
“Chris was a fun, outgoing supervisor. He always made it known that he appreciated our hard work and rewarded us whenever he had the chance. He was very organized and made it clear what we needed to get done everyday. He is a people person and did his best to make everyone happy, especially the clients.”
2008
Chris graduated from the University of North Alabama with a B.S. in Commercial Music and minor in Business Administration. While at university, he would lead organizations, plan events, formalize his business administration education, and learn video production skills.
2009
Ready to take on the world, Chris volunteered to work for the African Children's Choir as a Sound Engineer and Chaperone, traveling across the country with 24 African children who sing and dance to raise money for their education back in Uganda and Kenya. He would lead audio production at a different theater each night.
"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."
- Mahatma Gandhi
2010
Upon returning home from tour, Chris applied to become Listerhill Credit Union's Young & Free Spokester, a digital content creator role, one of the first of its kind in the early years of social media. Chris won this unique job by securing the most public votes, mostly due to the popularity of a self-written and produced music video.
2011
During this time, Chris ran a successful moonlighting business, Up Down Media, producing wedding videos for over a hundred couples across the Southeast.
“Chris is a great visionary and executor of what he wants. He is capable in every facet of media production and an especially gifted editor and visual designer.”
2013
As Marketing Manager at Listerhill, Chris led the launch of a monthly lifestyle publication, "SET Magazine," that would run for 5 years. Over that time, as the role of publisher and often as editor, the magazine would draw 150 writers to write 550 articles and would distribute 340,000 copies to 160 area locations. Chris would develop systems and processes to streamline content from concept to print. The publication would win the credit union marketing industry's Diamond Award for Best Publication every year it was produced.
“Chris was a very encouraging, responsible, motivated and fun manager. He kept me accountable to my deadlines and provided very helpful critiques when there were areas I needed to work on. Working under him pushed me to become a more organized, confident and efficient worker.”
2015
As his innovative marketing programs garnered attention from the industry, Chris was invited to speak about the projects at the Financial Brand Forum, financial marketing’s premiere conference in Las Vegas, and the Millennial Financial Services Summit in New York. Alongside these speaking engagements, a feature article ran on the popular Financial Brand website.
2016
Chris would be promoted to Marketing Director at Listerhill where he would manage the department of seven and a million dollar marketing budget. His major projects would include a complete rebrand, website overhaul, several comprehensive campaigns, and multiple new product launches. Each of these projects would win national industry awards.
“I am so thankful to have had the privilege of working with Chris at Listerhill Credit Union. An exceptional leader, gifted in all aspects of design and communication, he really is the best at what he does. I have watched him execute giant campaigns flawlessly, knowing when and how to delegate and pivot. Any company would be lucky to have him. Know that you will be gaining a knowledgeable leader, an intrinsically motivated learner, and a true advocate and friend.”
2017
Inspired by local conversations of innovation and new ideas, Chris joined the executive team to organize the Shoals area’s first TEDx event. Chris would help with event management, marketing, and create the theme artwork.
2019
At Listerhill, Chris would earn a promotion to Vice President of Marketing and become an active member of the Senior Leadership Team. Along with leading the marketing strategy, Chris also focused on strengthening project management processes, build digital automations, and create efficiencies to better prioritize his team’s energy.
Listerhill's Asset Growth Throughout Chris’s Tenure (in millions)
When challenged by the CEO to develop a primary philanthropy for the credit union, Chris would lead the ideation and development of a nonprofit, charitable program, Kicks for Kids, that would distribute brand-named shoes to elementary school students throughout northwest Alabama. The program, now under the Listerhill Foundation, is continually growing its footprint.
2020
Motivated by the apathy towards injustice and emboldened extremism around him, Chris pursued civic engagement through volunteering with a local political party and joining the campaign team of a local candidate for county commissioner. Chris used his graphic design skills to give the party and campaign a more modern look. Chris now serves on the executive board for multiple political organizations including serving as the Chair of the Lauderdale County Democratic Executive Committee.
2022
Now, as an award-winning marketing executive with 20 years of experience developing his craft and exploring his passions, Chris is searching for new challenges and opportunities for further fulfillment to make positive change in the communities around him.
