Forty Under 40: Chris Maddox

As CEO of Verisource, Chris Maddox leads a broad application and network development firm.

In addition to guiding the company’s overall business strategy and operations, Maddox takes time for personal interaction with customers. “I try to be the customer advocate for the company and understand their business information problems,” he said.

Maddox started his career in 1988 as a network engineer at J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc., where he designed an internal e-mail system. He also worked in systems for Papa John’s International, where he was responsible for the Web-based product-ordering system and a point-of-sale application.

In 1997 he became president of Millennia LLC, a firm that developed Internet banking systems. In December 2000, he bought the company, changed the name to Verisource and expanded its services and client base.

“Perhaps my best asset is pulling good people together around me,” he said. “When I came here, I tapped into all my old contacts and friends to help build the company together. The success of Verisource could only have happened because of good people.”

Maddox grew up in Little Rock and graduated from McClellan High School in 1983. He attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville from 1983-1989.