Three Miles in Dayton with Chris Eifert

Dialogue Miles

Apr 7

Chris Eifert and I recently took a 3-mile Dialogue Miles™ walk in Dayton, Ohio, stopping in front of The Silos to snap a picture. It’d been a while since we’d spent that kind of time together, but like always, I appreciated that our conversation remained transparent about our lives while at the same time being reflective about where the road might lead next.

Our paths first crossed back in the summer of 2000, when my family moved from Pittsburgh to Dayton. At that time, I was appointed CEO of SMARTworks, a tech business spun out of Standard Register. We had an incredible team that was eager to push the boundaries of the print industry into a more digital future. One of the brightest thinkers on that team was Chris, a values-driven person known for delivering on promises and building deep trust with customers. But Chris had dreams beyond what a bigger company could provide, as he was/is an entrepreneur. So, one day he decided to leave us and embark on a dream opportunity. I was sad to see him go, but honestly, happy that one of the good people was following their selected path.

One moment on our walk really hit me, when we spoke about the siblings that passed away far too young, Chris’ brother, Tim Eifert, and my sister, Sheila Morgan Noon. Being able to share raw emotions with someone is a real gift.

Fast forward to today. Chris recently sold the company he co-founded, TriComB2B (acquired by Luxid), now part of Luxid. We talked about what’s next for him, for the team, and what leadership looks like when you're standing at the start of a new chapter.

Reflections from the Walk

Grace and Kindness
We talked about the role leadership can play in pushing a person toward what they ultimately want, vs. attempting to pull them away from it. Support builds belief and confidence.
Learning
Chris shared that he’s learned more from coffee meetings and talking with people than from business books. I agree that organic experiences matter most.
Stay Open
Being honest about what’s working, and what’s not, makes space for real connection. Knowing that you can count on someone for guidance or even a reality check matters a lot.
Keep Moving
Trails, sidewalks, airports, and life experiences keep you relevant. Movement clears your head and invites fresh thinking.
Stay Modern
Keep looking ahead and asking, “What’s next?”