Chris Horton is a career financial professional with expertise in business credit and commercial lending, business banking services, commercial real estate acquisitions, business financial planning, credit restoration, and debt consolidation.
Chris quickly realized he enjoyed relationship-building over transactions, so he sought out entrepreneurship and started his own financial practice with MassMutual Financial Group in Silicon Valley. Chris’ passion for Financial Intelligence, Financial Freedom, and the Free Enterprise System led him to the role of Vice President of Membership and Sales with the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce, now called The Silicon Valley Organization. Chris’ work ethic, forward-thinking, tenacity, and visionary approach to entrepreneurial aspirations earned him the role of President & CEO with the Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce (now called Silicon Valley Central Chamber) in the tech capital of the world. Chris is a graduate of the Western Association of Chamber Executives, class of 2019.
In August 2017, Chris founded Silicon Valley Laissez Faire Organization and is currently the President & CEO, pioneering economic and community development throughout the United States.
Prior to taking on his current position as Director of The Inclusivity Project, Chris served the small business community as a Regional Lending Manager with Northern California SBDC Network, working closely with startups and existing businesses to provide access to capital, tools, and resources to support the entrepreneurial spirit.
Chris’s diversity and inclusionary values afford him the privilege as a Board member to serve LGBTQ+ communities across the United States. Chris also serves as a Board member for Milpitas Chamber of Commerce. Chris has a passion for community, a spirit of giving, and a skill for community prosperity, living by a motto of “service above self.” Many people know Chris as an active business leader in the community. He spreads encouragement, hope, and inspiration through his many volunteering roles and philanthropic giving.
Above all, Chris is a family man of faith and the oldest of three children. Chris enjoys hanging out with his kiddos, running, cooking, fishing, and going to the movies.
