Chris joined New Dream in 2006 to launch the Responsible Purchasing Network. He has an MS (Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute) and a BA (Penn State) in Science, Technology and Society. His career focus is on using the power of the marketplace to create a more just and sustainable society and has over ten years experience working to promote corporate responsibility, including tenure as Director of the Co-op America Business Network and the Fair Trade Federation. He is part owner of Seven Bridges Cooperative, the world's only supplier of all organic and fair trade homebrewing and home coffee-roasting supplies. In 2006, Chris authored the book "Fermenting Revolution: How to Drink Beer and Save the World" (New Society Publishers, 2006). He has lived, worked and traveled extensively in Africa and dreams of one day opening a sustainable "B, B & B" - Bed, Breakfast and BreweryChris joined New Dream in 2006 to launch the Responsible Purchasing Network. He has an MS (Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute) and a BA (Penn State) in Science, Technology and Society. His career focus is on using the power of the marketplace to create a more just and sustainable society and has over ten years experience working to promote corporate responsibility, including tenure as Director of the Co-op America Business Network and the Fair Trade Federation. He is part owner of Seven Bridges Cooperative, the world's only supplier of all organic and fair trade homebrewing and home coffee-roasting supplies. In 2006, Chris authored the book "Fermenting Revolution: How to Drink Beer and Save the World" (New Society Publishers, 2006). He has lived, worked and traveled extensively in Africa and dreams of one day opening a sustainable "B, B & B" - Bed, Breakfast and Brewery.

Chris works at the Center for a New American Dream as Director of the Responsible Purchasing Network. He has also served as director of the Co-op America Business Network and the Fair Trade Federation.

O'Brien has travelled much of the world researching local brewing traditions. He was a professional brewer at the Zululand Brewing Company in Eshowe, South Africa. His writing appears in places like American Brewer, Mid-Atlantic Brewing News, Zymurgy and New Brewer.  

He is part owner and a board director of Seven Bridges, a brick and mortar store in Santa Cruz, CA and online retailer (www.breworganic.com) of organic brewing supplies, and organic / fair trade home coffee roasting supplies. 

He appears at conferences, festivals, beer tastings and other events involving beer, books and saving the world. He is available to speak at your event.