Christopher Ellis

Chris Ellis

Being ready for next-generation technology increasingly tips the balance between success and mission failure for organizations. But where that evolution gives many pause, I see promise for our clients.

Rapid technology change is a constant, with the state of the art changing every day. Booz Allen stays out in front of tech evolution and invests in key evolutionary approaches to bring new solutions to our clients.

I take satisfaction in preparing my staff for the future, and my approach to development and mentoring is strongly rooted in my own experience with the firm—Booz Allen, like everything, is what you make it. From Day One, I have only been bound by the ideas, time, and energy I have to put into my profession, colleagues, and clients.

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Chris Ellis is a senior leader in the firm’s defense and military intelligence business. An expert in IT infrastructure, he engineers, delivers, and supports comprehensive end-to-end IT solutions for defense and security clients.

His expertise includes data center and secure cloud computing infrastructure, prototype development of communications electronics/electromagnetic systems, and secure network and communications system solutions. Chris is recognized for providing IT, engineering, and science services to clients across the U.S. Department of Defense and the intelligence community.

Chris has more than 20 years of professional experience, joining the firm in 1999. Previously, he focused on network and data center engineering and operations for Network Solutions and Electronic Warfare Associates.

He holds a B.S. in electrical engineering from Virginia Tech.

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What makes you most passionate about your work? I enjoy problem solving, and helping others reach their full potential—each of us at Booz Allen is always working on making things “better.” That’s a state of mind, a journey, not a destination. Helping everyone at Booz Allen and our clients solve problems is my job. I love what Booz Allen has positioned me to do for our colleagues, clients, and the nation.

How do you help your clients prepare for the future? We bring excellence in delivery and the highest quality. The colleagues we hire and their dedication are what drive our delivery and ensure quality. We are always looking for ways to help move together to the next level by solving problems faster and better.

What are the most pressing needs in your industry? Experts with attitude.  Cloud computing, machine learning, data science—these aren’t fields where being an expert is easy. So much of our industry is reactive. Someone creates a virus or a worm, so we create a defense. Booz Allen is helping our clients break the cycle and be out in front. The technologies and techniques vary but the need to make it better is a constant. That requires the right expertise and an intense desire to help, to make it better.

What are your tips for managing and motivating people? Leading people is easy: Listen. You must hear what people are saying to understand. As a manager, you have to listen to solve problems, but as a leader, you need to know your colleagues before you can help them. Everyone is just a little unique. People motivate themselves if they believe in what they are doing. Motivation is the difference between getting it done and doing it right. 

What makes Booz Allen an ideal firm for someone with your expertise and skills? Booz Allen is what you make of it. The door is never closed. Before I joined Booz Allen, I had to move from job to job, company to company, to grow, learn, and change. One of the many things that is special about Booz Allen is you can build the career you want. Booz Allen challenges each of us to grow and has let me create the career I imagined. It is not something you realize until you work here and experience just how different the culture and values really are.