Episode 113: The Chris Pantoya Interview

Hamilton Perkins Collection

Throughout her career, Chris has consistently created strong operating results for companies ranging from start-up to Fortune 50,including premier organizations such as: Cox Communications, Verizon Communications, Sprint Nextel, the National Basketball Association and Fan Controlled Sports and Entertainment. As a senior executive, she has held P&L responsibility, for up to 1000 employees and $1.5 billion in annual revenue.

Chris currently serves as the Chief Commercial Officer and head of Strategy for interactive media company, Fan Controlled Sports and Entertainment; overseeing strategic partnerships, betting and league strategy. She also recently served as Chief Financial Officer of the special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), OmniChannel Acquisition Corporation (NYSE: OCA).

In February 2019, Chris was appointed to the Board of Directors for Ryman Hospitality (NYSE: RHP) and is also a member of the company’s audit and nom/gov committees. Ryman is the proud owner and operator of the Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium, Ole Red (in partnership with Blake Shelton) and the Gaylord Resorts and Hotels.Previously, Chris launched and led the National Basketball Association’s direct to consumer business globally. She also established and led the corporate development practice in media and entertainment, for global telecom leader Verizon; ultimately acquiring over $5B worth of assets over the span of 3 years. Chris serves on her business school’s executive advisory board, at Old Dominion University since 2012. Chris grew up in Colorado, has moved around the US, both during her husband’s service in the US Navy submarine force and for her own career. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish and a Master’s of Business Administration, from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.

She and her husband have lived the past 10 years in Summit, NJ and have one son, who attends Cornell University’s Dyson School and competes on the university’s varsity track team.

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In 2014, Hamilton Perkins founded Hamilton Perkins Collection, an independent brand that designs and produces unique and award-winning bags and accessories made from upcycled materials. Each bag is made from pineapple leaf fiber, billboard vinyl, fabric banners, apparel, and other advertising waste.

Perkins was awarded an equity-free grant as the winner of the Virginia Velocity Tour hosted by Village Capital and the Governor of Virginia. The non-profit B Lab honored Hamilton Perkins Collection as a "Best for the World Overall" B Corporation in 2017. Perkins was voted to Inside Business’ 40 under 40 and Old Dominion University Alumni Association’s 40 under 40 lists.

Perkins has been mentioned in Forbes, Fast Company, The New York Times, Money Magazine, and The Washington Post. Select past client work includes Hewlett-Packard, Nordstrom, Target, S.C. Johnson and Son, Dow Chemical, Oracle, Salesforce, Barnes and Noble, West Elm, Holt Renfrew, C.F. Martin & Company, Imerys, Leesa Sleep, Zappos, Paramount Pictures, AMEX, Hanover Insurance, NYC Department of Sanitation and Ellen.

The brand is currently offered in nearly 150 leading department stores and specialty stores in the United States, Canada, and Europe. Hamilton Perkins Collection has transformed 800,000 bottles into bags and over 40,000 pounds of old signs and into bags with the goal of 10 million bottles and over 500,000 pounds. Perkins has been a speaker for BNY Mellon, Faire, Mastercard and has provided research for Harvard Business School. Perkins serves on the executive advisory council board at Old Dominion University’s Strome College of Business.