Chris Kershner

Chris Kershner

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Innovator • Leader • Native New Mexican

 

Born in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Chris Kershner comes from a lineage deeply rooted in the state’s history. His father was a physicist at Los Alamos National Laboratory. His great-grandfather served as U.S. Marshal in Red River, and his great-great-grandfather held gambling rights in Raton, Cimarron, and Red River during the legal gambling era.

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Early Life & Education

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Chris’s formative years were shaped by the rugged beauty of the Southwest. He worked winters as a ski instructor at Val Verde, Angel Fire, and Taos Ski Basins, and spent summers at Philmont Scout Ranch teaching rock climbing and rafting.

After an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, Chris earned a degree in electronics engineering in Albuquerque. While still in school, he worked at GTE Lenkurt on pulse code modulation boards for phone systems. Upon graduation, he joined Gulton Industries, contributing to:

• TRW satellite electronics

• The Trident missile system

• Penetran: a waste treatment tracking system

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Pioneering the PC Era

 

Chris was at the forefront of the personal computing revolution:

• Worked briefly with MITS on the Altair, the first personal computer

• Joined Pertec, optimizing 8-inch floppy drive production from 8 to 200 units/day

• Wrote early CP/M drivers, laying groundwork for microcomputer OS development

He later co-founded Advanced Data International with Stan Sandoval and Dan Garcia, developing the first PC-based Point of Sale (POS) system, deployed across the U.S. and Canada.

 

Technology & Business Leadership

 

Chris has led or contributed to numerous groundbreaking projects:

• University of New Mexico – Installed the first Novell-based microcomputer network

• Albuquerque Federal Savings and Loan – Deployed the first Televideo Turbodos network

• Aura Communications – Co-owner of a custom printing and warehousing firm

• East Mountain Printing – Developed an early WYSIWYG typesetting interface

• Bureau of Indian Affairs – Created one of the first spreadsheet programs on Ohio Scientific computers

• Margaritaville, Key West – Installed the first POS system for Jimmy Buffett’s venue

• Computer Superstores – Co-founded one of the first U.S. computer retail chains

• Intel Corporation – Global software troubleshooting and manufacturing retooling

• Network Associates, Inc. – Founded and sold to an 8a Group

• Always Available IT - Current owner and CEO

 

He also designed a custom sermon research system for Hoffmantown Church and held leadership roles at Radiology Associates, helping recover millions in receivables through strategic repricing and contract negotiation.

 

Community Impact & Civic Engagement

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Chris’s dedication to service is evident in his extensive civic involvement:

• La Vida Llena Retirement Community – CEO; led recovery from $52M bankruptcy

• First Things Classical Charter School – Chairman of the Board (Opening 2027)

• Friends of New Mexico Fisher House – Board Member

• American Legion Post 49 – Historian & Finance Officer

• Albuquerque Band Promoter - Promoted Femme Fatale and Sassy Jones for charity function such as saving the IOFF building.

• Rotary Club of Albuquerque – Active Member & IT Provider

• BNI 'The Real Deal' – President

• Los Poblanos Neighborhood Association – Board Member

• NM Supreme Court Disciplinary Board – Citizen Advisor

• East Heights Moose Lodge – Governor & Administrator

• Chapter One Riders – President, Veterans Motorcycle Group

• Sunwest Bank – Helped establish Sunwest Credit Services; attended banking school in Orlando

• Professional Project Managers - Founded, current owner and CEO

• Breaking Good, LLC - Current owner and CEO - showing New Mexico in a different light then 'Breaking Bad'

 

He also served as the owner’s representative for the construction of “The Neighborhood” in Rio Rancho, collaborating with Haverland Carter and Bradbury Stamm.

 

Legacy of Innovation & Service

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From pioneering early computing systems to revitalizing community institutions, Chris Kershner exemplifies a rare blend of technical brilliance, entrepreneurial drive, and civic dedication. His work continues to shape industries, empower communities, and inspire future generations across New Mexico