About Us - Chris Schiffhauer

Chris first became interested in programming after taking a 5th grade computer class in Boardman, Ohio. His parents were kind enough to purchase an Apple IIc for Christmas, and Chris spent the next 8 years mesmerized by the concept of infinite loops.

After graduating from high school in 1993, Chris spent a year as a Rotary exchange student in Lyon, France. When he returned the US, he attended Bowling Green State University, and was surprised to discover that in the past year everyone had seemingly begun using new tools called e-mail and the world wide web. Chris wasted no time in developing his first website.

Chris majored in French and International Studies, graduating magna cum laude in under three years. During this time, he worked in both the French department's study abroad office and the university's computer labs. Much of the time he spent working in the computer labs was devoted to learning web development. He also took two programming classes during his last semester on campus.

After graduating, Chris spent a year as a Rotary ambassadorial scholar in Montpellier, France.

In 1998, Chris moved to Phoenix, Arizona. In 1999 he began working for a study abroad provider, where he met his future wife Sharon. During his 18 months at that company, Chris's duties included developing the company's website.

Chris began WebDez in late 1999, and incorporated the company in 2000.

As a result of the generosity Chris received during his year's studying abroad, Chris remains committed to devoting his skills to worthy causes. WebDez maintains an active list of organizations who receive WebDez's services for free, and continues to seek new organizations to add to this list.

Chris's passion remains the advocacy of study abroad. He is a member of the Carefree/Cave Creek Rotary Club, where he serves as counselor to the club's inbound and outbound exchange student. Within Rotary District 5510, Chris is a member of both the Youth Exchange and Ambassadorial Scholarships committees. In 2004, Chris and his wife started Abroadco, a study abroad provider.