Currently, Chris works as the Chief Branding Officer, a member of Senior Management with the American Red Cross in Birmingham. In that position, he is responsible for internal/external communications, community outreach, media relations, website content and serves as the agency’s representative with Project SHARE which helps elderly and disabled citizens with utility bills.

As a little backstory, back in July 2004 Chris was involved in a near-fatal hit-and-run motorcycle accident. Because of the accident, Chris had to have his left leg amputated, just above the knee. After just two months of physical therapy, Chris returned to his on-air duties at the ABC affiliate. His courage in the face of adversity, and his Faith in God led to Chris recovering in a short amount of time and later winning an Award of Valor from the National Association of Minority Media Executives along with CNN’s Anderson Cooper, Fox News' Juan Williams and other notable journalists. He also was awarded the City of Birmingham’s highest honor—the outstanding citizen medal.

Despite what some may call a handicap Chris still enjoys golf, hunting, boating, and yes--riding motorcycles. He’s a member of 6th Avenue Baptist Church and active in organizations including Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, the Family Self Sufficiency Advisory Board and is President of the Tennessee State University Alumni Association and President of the Willie P. Osborne Foundation.

The youngest of four siblings, Chris attended Austin Peay State University and received a Bachelors of Science degree in Communications from Tennessee State University in Nashville. Chris enjoys facilitating and instructing others about the art of media relations, sharing with others how to communicate effectively.

Based in East Tennessee, Riser is a 20-year news veteran who has worked just about every job you can imagine in news. She's anchored and reported radio, worked the assignment desks in television, produced newscasts, and run television newsrooms as the news director. Most recently, she was in charge of three different forms of journalism in Johnson City, Tennessee -- managing the collective efforts for a television station, a newspaper and an online property for northeast Tennessee and southwest Virginia.

Nelko will operate out of Manhattan, where he most recently served as the Executive Producer of CBS News "Up to the Minute." His 14 years producing for CBS News are supplemented by his work in local radio in Pittsburgh and as an anchor for the Air America and Sirius radio networks. Matt's tenure in the heart of a network news operation gives him a perspective few can match, and he'll draw upon those anecdotes to drive home the realities of getting the most out of your encounter with the media.

We're proud and fortunate to have them both on the team!

I've been blessed over the years to have worked with and become acquainted with some dynamic professional communicators. They all bring their own knowledge and motivations to the business of consulting, and there is strength in that diversity of experience.

Over the course of the next few weeks, we'll be announcing new team members for Positive Position. These are communicators who share a passion for helping others tell their story in the way it deserves to be told. They are consummate professionals who understand the business, and know how to share key insights about how the news industry is evolving.

Most importantly, they've been hand-picked for their ability to reach and coach a cross-section of society. We all have different needs and stumbling blocks to overcome. These new associates will be instrumental in allowing Positive Position to make a positive impact for as many businesses and organizations as possible.

Stay tuned!