Chris Havens

Having grown up in a rural farm community along the banks of the St. Lawrence River in upstate New York, Chris learned at a young age the importance of hard work and the value of a deal made with a handshake. Land and water were at the center of all economic, community and family activities and the concept of good stewardship was a natural part of life.

The rural lifestyle created a rich learning environment and a strong sense that each piece of life’s puzzle comes together for a purpose. After a university career that included an undergraduate degree in biology and extensive business education in all the major disciplines, Chris built a corporate career in the petroleum industry. Over a nearly thirty year career with major assignments in both public and private companies he learned what it takes to do things well and to own your results.

Throughout Chris’ corporate career real estate was a significant part, from buying and selling land for development to constantly managing the portfolio for optimal returns. Every deal was a learning experience and a challenge, whether a single site remodel project or a billion dollar acquisition or divestiture.

After leaving Ultramar Diamond Shamrock Corp. as an Executive Vice President for the company and Chief Operating Officer of the International Marketing business, Chris began acquiring and developing his own real estate projects as well as consulting for several major retail companies. As an advisor, he helped develop petroleum and convenience retail strategies for numerous companies including HEB, Murphy Oil, Tesoro Petroleum, Sam’s Club, Walmart, and Albertson to name a few.

Chris’ personal real estate projects covered the spectrum of development from single family new construction to mid-size subdivision projects. Remodeling and repurposing historic properties was a labor of love. One such large scale project involved the acquisition and development of several parcels in the Texas Hill Country along the banks of the Guadalupe River. The ranch with a storied history was reborn as the critically acclaimed Riven Rock Ranch Resort. The resort opened to rave reviews in 2007 and welcomed guests from around the state of Texas and ultimately the world. Bridal couples, dignitaries, celebrities and Hill Country neighbors were drawn by the legendary hospitality that became synonymous with Riven Rock Ranch Resort.

The decision to pursue a career in real estate is a continuation of Chris’ lifelong desire to expand his horizons and help others to do the same. Kuper Sotheby’s was a natural fit with its stellar reputation and culture of service, honesty, and integrity. He looks forward to the collaborative effort of working with clients in pursuit of their financial goals and personal dreams.