Cris Arens' Bio

Cris began his business career with an internship in Istanbul, Turkey in 1988. Over the next seven years, he gained management and sales experience working for U.S. export and logistics firms which included agent and customer travel to some unique parts of the world (Zimbabwe, Ukraine, Columbia, to name a few).  In 1995, he recognized a logistics software opportunity and with a partner formed Fountainhead International LLC (CargoWise® and Shiptrax® flagship products). As President of the firm, Cris managed 40% growth rates year-on-year from start-up and Fountainhead became the leading U.S. software provider for freight forwarders.  In 2006, the firm merged with an Australian competitor to create CargoWise edi PTY Ltd.  Post merger, Cris focused on building a global sales team while integrating the U.S. operations into the global headquarters in Sydney. He also organized and finalized CargoWise's acquisition of two other competitors in the U.K and the U.S. during this period.   His contract with CargoWise was complete on June 30^th, 2008.

Cris' passion for the environment began in 1985 while spending a summer travelling within Western Europe studying the effect of acid rain on Germany's Black Forest which many blamed on coal consumption in the United Kingdom (organized through SPAN, Student Project for Amity among Nations). It was an eye opening experience in regards to the geopolitical disputes involving pollution. At that time, the average American had heard very little of coal scrubbers and global warming was not part of the daily political dialogue. Today, the global pollution problem is getting worse with the developing world trying to catch up with the U.S. standards of living. While we need to take dramatic action, Cris does not believe the solution is to stop commerce and go back to the 1800s. He is a business person who believes free markets and global trade are essential to humanity's prosperous future; we simply need to take a sustainable approach in our government, businesses and homes. The technology is available and affordable, and his leadership role at HarneTech LLC combines his environmental passion with a business philosophy.

Cris has managed sales, support and technical staff in a rapidly growing environment; he is very confident that the time is right for companies like HarneTech to succeed.  HarneTech intends to make a positive difference in the environment while building a profitable and healthy firm that will be a good corporate citizen. 

He lives in Arlington Heights, IL USA with his wife and two children.