About Chris Madison
20+ years solving hard technical problems and building high-performing engineering teams
Why Long Run Advisory?
As an ultrarunner and veteran, I've learned that success comes from resilience, clear thinking under pressure, and sustainable pacing—not quick fixes. I help you build engineering organizations that deliver today and scale for years to come, even when the market shifts or pressure mounts.
I've spent 20+ years solving hard technical problems and building high-performing engineering teams. I started my career as a contractor modernizing distributed systems for financial institutions, then joined IBM working on enterprise software. I served as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps and North Carolina Army National Guard before transitioning to engineering leadership roles in fintech, healthtech, and blockchain.
I've built and scaled engineering teams from founding engineer to 120+ people, secured $15M in venture funding as Head of Engineering at a healthtech startup, and hold 10 patents in AI and machine learning. I've successfully navigated multiple acquisitions, company wind-downs, and post-layoff recoveries—and I know how to keep teams focused and shipping even when everything feels chaotic.
I still write production code in TypeScript, Python, Go, Rust, and other languages—but my real value is in architectural decision-making. I design systems that scale, optimize cloud infrastructure for cost and performance, and make strategic build-vs-buy calls that save months of development time. Whether I'm reviewing smart contracts, conducting technical due diligence, or translating complex trade-offs for non-technical stakeholders, I bring hands-on technical depth to every engagement.
Now I help startups and growing companies do what I've done: build great teams, ship great products, and avoid expensive mistakes.
How I'm Different from Other Consultants
I'm a CTO Who Still Codes
Many "fractional CTOs" are former developers who moved into pure management years ago. I write production code in TypeScript, Python, Go, and Rust—regularly. When I review your architecture or make technical recommendations, I understand the implementation details, not just the theory.
I've Been Through the Fire
I've navigated layoffs, acquisitions, wind-downs, and funding crises. I've been rehired after layoffs to rescue projects. I've shipped under impossible deadlines. When things go sideways, I don't panic—I've seen it before and know how to fix it.
I'm Not a SaaS Tool Salesman
For cloud optimization, you don't need another dashboard—you need someone who can look at your architecture and say "this Lambda function should be a container" or "your database is over-provisioned because of poor query design." I solve the root cause, not just analyze the symptoms.
I Focus on Outcomes, Not Hours
I'm not billing by the hour and padding time. If I can solve your problem in 10 hours instead of 20, I do that. My reputation depends on results—did your costs go down? Did your team start shipping? That's what matters.
Why Work With Me
I've Been There
I've lived through layoffs, acquisitions, funding rounds, and technical pivots. I know what it's like when everything is on fire and you need someone who can step in and deliver immediately.
Hands-On Technical
I don't just give advice from the sidelines. I write code, review architecture, and make technical decisions. You're getting an engineer who happens to lead teams, not a manager who used to code.
Results-Focused
I measure success by outcomes, not activity. Did costs go down? Did the team start shipping faster? Did you raise the funding? Those are the metrics that matter.
No Nonsense
I tell you what I think, even when it's uncomfortable. If something won't work, I'll tell you. If you're heading in the wrong direction, I'll say so. Straight talk saves time and money.
Experience Highlights
Everyrealm (2025)
Chief Technology Officer
- →CEO reached out personally to return and lead a deadlocked engineering team
- →Stabilized operations and delivered casino platform in 30 days post-layoffs
- →Partnered with CPO to shipped the first fully QA'd product
- →Restored team confidence and delivery cadence during critical transition period
Interchain Foundation (2024)
Director of Engineering (Cosmos Blockchain)
- →Recruited by former Equideum Health's CPO to lead engineering team
- →Improved sprint predictability by 25% across distributed teams
- →Led engineering for inter-blockchain communication protocol
Input Output Global (2024)
Engineering Manager (Midnight Blockchain)
- →Managed distributed engineering teams across multiple time zones
- →Contributed to proof-of-stake blockchain protocol development
Everyrealm (2021-2024)
Chief Blockchain Officer and VP of Engineering
- →Scaled engineering organization from 5 to 65 engineers across 7 concurrent projects
- →Cut cloud costs by 43% through infrastructure optimization and architecture rationalization
- →Maintained 90% retention rate across distributed teams spanning 3 continents
- →Built blockchain gaming platform handling 1M+ transactions per month
Equideum Health / Consensys Health (2021-2022)
Chief Technology Operations Officer & Acting CISO
- →Led development of decentralized healthcare data exchange platform using self-sovereign identity and federated compute
- →Designed blockchain infrastructure for clinical trial matching and consumer health data liquidity
- →Built Azure-based personal private cloud architecture for direct-to-consumer healthcare applications
- →Managed IT asset transition and data protection during company wind-down following blockchain market downturn
Levvel / Endava (2016-2019)
Director of Cloud Solutions
- →Built cloud consulting practice serving Fortune 500 clients
- →Led acquisition integration (Levvel acquired by Endava)
Earlier Career
Various technical leadership roles
- →IBM: Enterprise software development and distributed systems
- →PeraHealth: Head of Engineering, secured $15M Series A funding
- →U.S. Marine Corps & Army National Guard: Officer
Patents & Credentials
Patents in AI/ML
Years Experience
Funding Secured
Holder of multiple patents in artificial intelligence and machine learning, with expertise spanning blockchain protocols, cloud architecture, and enterprise software systems.
Let's Work Together
If you're looking for someone who's been in the trenches and knows how to deliver results under pressure, let's talk.
Schedule Free Consultation