M. Chris Heng
Chris Heng is an operations executive and policy strategist with more than 15 years of experience spanning advanced manufacturing, global supply chains, and public-interest infrastructure development. In 2024, he moved to Philadelphia to begin graduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania, completing coursework at the Penn Carey Law School and with Wharton faculty in policy, international human rights, business strategy, and governmental systems. This interdisciplinary foundation informs his ability to operate effectively where business execution and complex regulatory environments intersect.
Chris’s career is rooted in hands-on experience building and managing multi-regional logistics networks across the United States, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and Africa. As Head of Global Supply Chain for Fairwaves, he led global sourcing and manufacturing operations for highly regulated technologies, including semiconductors, integrated circuits, RF systems, telecom transceivers (BTS), and full telecom infrastructure assemblies.
In this role, Chris developed significant expertise in U.S. and international export-control regimes, translating regulatory obligations into executable logistics and compliance workflows while managing shipments governed by ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations), EAR (Export Administration Regulations), ECCN-classified and dual-use technologies, Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS/HS) classifications, and BIS licensing requirements. Drawing on his background in operations and policy, he translated complex regulatory frameworks into practical, executable strategies for a growing technology company—allowing Fairwaves to scale internationally while maintaining strict compliance.
Chris also participated in a small executive roundtable with Eric L. Hirschhorn, former Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry & Security and head of the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), alongside several other technology executives. The discussion focused on real-world export-compliance challenges and evolving regulatory expectations, further shaping his approach to managing sensitive cross-border technology movement.
This experience supported the successful execution of an international telecom deployment, requiring careful coordination across regulatory and operational boundaries.
Beyond his operational work, Chris is a committed advocate for neurodiversity and disability inclusion, drawing on lived experience to promote environments where diverse cognitive profiles – including Autism and ADHD – are recognized as strengths. He focuses on building teams and systems where neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals collaborate effectively on complex problems. Chris also serves on the Directors’ Council of AidJoy, supporting mission-driven initiatives focused on public health access, community infrastructure, and humanitarian resilience.
A proud alumnus of the University of Southern California (USC), Chris was named a Discovery Scholar for original research in economic development. As an undergraduate, he worked with the USC Lusk Center for Real Estate, collaborating in writing published real estate economics forecast reports with the Casden Forecast director. While still an undergraduate, he was compensated at the graduate-research level and contributed economic analysis used by real estate industry leaders, financial institutions, and municipal stakeholders. He also held leadership roles within the Gamma Tau chapter of Beta Theta Pi.
His academic and professional journey reflects a sustained commitment to service, systems improvement, and building practical, durable systems that support organizations and the communities they serve.