Chesterfield’s Christopher Miller was recently named a finalist for the 2025 MSP Titans of Industry Community Impact Award, which recognizes service providers whose work extends beyond business. At ATB Technologies, Miller has spent years helping nonprofits use technology to better serve their communities. Outside of work, he stays involved through youth sports coaching and board leadership, with a focus on organizations supporting early childhood education.
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Organization: ATB Technologies
Title: VP, Sales & Marketing
Age: 42
Hometown: Originally Momence, IL; now live in Chesterfield, MO
Education: Bachelors in International Studies and Business Administration from Illinois College. Masters in International Business from Webster University.
Interests / Hobbies: Community Impact and Travel
What motivated you to get involved in this work/community/activity? I moved to the St. Louis area originally in 2005 to pursue my Masters at Webster University. As a transplant to the area, I knew I needed to get involved and put in the effort to meet people in order to build a community. I was frustrated (and still am) by the high school question. Though it did give me motivation to push harder and better understand the community and why it was important to locals. I met some amazing people early on which helped me to eventually find a place in the tech space, where I have worked for nearly 20 years now. It was one of my Masters classes at Webster that challenged me to pay attention to growth markets and economic trends. Technology by itself didn’t motivate me. It was the impact it had in supporting nonprofits in serving individuals and families that helped me see its potential for my story. Once I connected those dots I found a way to create a career in tech that met my personal need for being part of and supporting communities. Now, I get to lead an amazing team that supports nonprofits and local companies while also allowing me the flexibility to sit on nonprofit boards here in the region.
What values or principles guide how you show up in this role/community? My parents and my grandfather in particular instilled in me the idea that “To whom much is given, much is expected.” I did not come from a wealthy family. My parents were both middle class (roofer and a nurse). But they taught me what hard work meant and gave me opportunities to succeed. Many of those lessons were taught with hands-on experience (i.e. roofing in the summer heat). They gave me a strong foundation and I have been able to create a great life from that. So, I feel an obligation to speak out when something isn’t right while lifting up others along side of me. I’m extremely fortunate to have that perspective and the support of those who have entered my life in varying seasons (including my wife, Aisha, and our children).
What’s the most enjoyable aspect? Through my work at ATB, we are able to support local nonprofits both professionally and through philanthropic giving. This allows me to learn about new organizations and about their impact on the local community. I’ve turned this into a passion for getting involved in Board leadership especially around nonprofits focused on early childhood education. In addition, I coach youth sports. This gives me the ability to be involved differently with each of my children and their friends, as they develop as players and humans.
Can you briefly share a few standout memories? I’ve had both positive and negative experiences volunteering with nonprofits. I was able to lead University City Children’s Center as their Board President in 2025 through a merger with Youth in Need. Fun fact: Youth In Need was the first nonprofit I volunteered with after I moved to St. Louis in 2005. On the negative side: I was the school board President at St. Monica in Creve Coeur when we were forced to close our doors by Archbishop Rozanski and the Archdiocese of St. Louis through their failed All Things New. Both of these experiences taught me a lot about the nonprofit space and the opportunities and challenges that many nonprofits have on a regular basis. The individuals who work for nonprofits are the heroes in our community.
Can you share an insight about this role that most people don’t know? Companies and nonprofits are complex and messy. No different than people. It makes sense because an organization much like a community is made up of people and it includes their ideas, their passions, their differences and their baggage. The culture is different in each and changes over time based on the people who are part of it. We get enamored by the brand but at the end of the day it is just people being human. Many times they succeed but sometimes they fail. We all play a part and must work together for the best possible outcomes based on the information available.
What’s one key piece of advice you’ve embraced? Be curious and open! I never set out to be involved in nonprofits or lead a tech company but here I am. I was open to taking some chances and I’ve created a nice life for myself and my family. I like to think that those chances have also had positive ripple effects through the nonprofits and organizations that I touch as well.
What’s the greatest challenge? People! We get in our own way at times. This region fights with itself. The city and county need to merge. We need to take chances and not wait for somebody else to do it first.
Where do you find inspiration? People! There are individuals and groups who are doing amazing things in St. Louis. Some of their work impacts others beyond just the local community. I am inspired when I hear someone who took a chance on an idea or found a better way of doing something. Look around and you will find inspiration all around you.
What are your future plans or ambitions? I plan to continue to grow our company and bring more quality jobs to the St. Louis region that support our customers, our employees and their families. We consistently are among the fastest growing companies in St. Louis and I see that continuing for years to come. I also have aspirations to start and fund a foundation along with my wife to more directly support youth and education because…much is expected!
