North American Sales Manager, Gallery Systems
With a career spanning roles across museums, academia, and museum technology, Chris brings a unique perspective to his position at Gallery Systems. From managing interactive technologies at the San Jose Museum of Art—where he pioneered some of the museum world’s earliest digital initiatives—to serving as Digital Media Manager at a major university museum, his background reflects a deep commitment to innovation and collection stewardship. Now, as North American Sales Manager, Chris draws on this multifaceted experience to support museums in achieving their goals with the TMS Suite. In this conversation, he shares insights into his professional journey, the rewarding aspects of working with clients, and the trends shaping the future of collections management.
Please can you tell us a bit about your museum background before coming to Gallery Systems?
After graduating with an MFA degree in Visual Art at San Jose State University I’ve had a unique and fulfilling journey through the museum world, both working at museums and for museum vendors. It’s given me a perspective that I think is valuable to bring to my job at Gallery Systems as North American Sales Manager. In these previous positions I’ve been an installation crew member, Membership Manager, Assistant Registrar, Manager of Interactive Technology, Program Manager, Implementation Specialist (at a competing company) and the Digital Media Manager at a prestigious university museum.
At the San Jose Museum of Art where I was Manager of Interactive Technology, I started making a name for the museum for being one of the first museums on YouTube, first one with a podcast, and the first to launch an iPod/iPhone tour, beating a very well-known London Museum by one week. I was also an Adjunct Professor at University of San Francisco teaching a course in Museums and Technology in their Museum Studies Program.
Chris brings his passion for museums to both his professional and personal life.
How long have you worked at Gallery Systems and what made you want to work here?
I’ve worked at Gallery Systems for 8 years now and the main reason that I wanted to work for Gallery Systems is because I knew a few people that worked for the company, and I liked the fact that they had been with the company for 20+ years. If that doesn’t say something about the company, then I don’t know what will. The staff at Gallery Systems has so much experience in the industry, both as people that may have worked in museums at one point to those that have helped museums achieve their goals as part of our staff. The product is top-notch, the company has a recognizable name in the industry, and I work with great colleagues.
What does a typical day look like for you as an Sales Manager?
My workday typically has meetings in the morning which include ones with my Sales Team and 1-on-1’s with my account managers, legal counsel, and cross-departmental meetings with Product and Professional Services. It can also include meetings with clients, including product demonstrations or discussions about project scope. Afternoons are spent answering emails, creating quotes and agreements, and working with the Client Care team on support cases.
Chris, Lauren, and Robb exhibiting at a trade show.
What’s one part of your role you find particularly rewarding or challenging?
Thinking about the legacy of a museum typically comes down to their collection. Being a part of how their objects are catalogued and presented to the public is very rewarding. A collection can constantly evolve and the TMS Suite of applications is very well equipped to evolve with it because of how easily it is to customize and configure the software, and how focused the staff is on emerging technologies and trends.
What do you love most about Gallery Systems’ company culture, and how does it influence the work you do?
I appreciate how Gallery Systems cares about their employees by taking the time to survey how they feel about the company and act based on their responses. Additionally, there are message boards set up to keep those of us working remotely connected and actively engaged with one another. These revolve around company achievements and praise, as well as sharing music with one another!
Chris, Heather, Paul, and Robb at a team event in New York.
From your perspective, what distinguishes Gallery Systems in the museum technology space?
I think we are very client oriented. We’ve worked closely with clients in Special Interest Groups to implement new features and functionality over the years and we genuinely want to make sure that we see our clients succeed. We have a company conference called Collective Imagination where clients can come and learn how to user our products and services, receive one-on-one training, and present their ideas and how they are using our products with their peers. Clients can also log into our Community Portal to request support from our Client Care Team, access help articles, view past webinars, and engage with other users in our community forum.
What trends are you seeing in the museum sector that influence how you work?
Artificial Intelligence is a huge topic today and I’m constantly asked about it regarding Gallery Systems. Internally we have been asked to explore ways to use it for making efficiencies with our day-to-day work, while product-wise we are assessing where best to insert it to streamline client processes. Security around AI is also a big consideration when seeking to use Artificial Intelligence in relation to your collection.
What’s one thing people might be surprised to learn about you?
I have exhibited my artwork at many galleries, had a solo exhibition in a museum, and I’m in the permanent collection of two art museums in the San Francisco Bay Area. I also became a grandfather recently of a beautiful little girl named Delilah.
Chris’s journey illustrates how lived museum experience, combined with a passion for technology, can shape meaningful client partnerships in the cultural sector. Their reflections highlight Gallery Systems’ collaborative culture, client-focused innovation, and commitment to evolving alongside the needs of museums. As institutions navigate emerging challenges such as AI integration and long-term collection stewardship, Chris underscores the value of adaptable tools, supportive colleagues, and a shared vision for success. With this perspective, they continue to help museums strengthen their legacies and connect audiences with collections in dynamic new ways.
If your institution is ready to explore how Gallery Systems can support your collections management strategy, contact us today to speak with an expert.
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