Leadership

Horizon River’s leadership team excels at attracting the brightest team members that are focused on delighting our customers. All of our team members challenge themselves and each other to exceed today's success tomorrow.

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Chris Harrison CEO
Chief Executive Officer

Chris Harrison is a seasoned technology executive with over two decades of experience in leading and delivering secure, high-performance technology solutions across multiple industries, including healthcare, retail, and finance. As the CEO of Horizon River, Chris has been instrumental in driving global projects that range from implementing nationwide managed networks to guiding complex cloud migrations for large-scale enterprises.

With deep expertise in strategic consulting, cloud infrastructure, and cybersecurity, Chris has successfully led key initiatives, including developing next-generation A/V networks for international brands, business continuity planning for state entities, and post-acquisition data center consolidations. He is particularly adept at ensuring high availability and customer satisfaction in mission-critical environments, such as retail point-of-sale systems and healthcare service organizations.

Chris also has a proven track record in establishing and scaling 24/7 service desks and managed network/security operations centers that provide round-the-clock support and security monitoring for enterprise clients.

In addition to his corporate role, Chris is actively involved in the community as a board member for The Georgia Ballet, contributing to the organization's growth and outreach.

Areas of Expertise:

- Enterprise Security & Network Architecture

- Cloud Infrastructure & SaaS Development

- Merger & Acquisition Technology Analysis

- Data Center Consolidation & IT Strategy

- Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery Planning

- 24/7 Service Desk & Managed IT Operations

- Leadership & Strategic Consulting

Chris holds an Executive MBA from Kennesaw State University's Michael J. Coles College of Business and has served in numerous leadership roles throughout his career, including VP and CIO of Intelemed, Inc. His combination of technical acumen and strategic foresight makes him a trusted leader in the technology space.

Chris Harrison CEO
Chief Executive Officer
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McDougall Head Shot
President

David McDougall is an accomplished executive with over 30 years of hands-on leadership experience, specializing in operations, franchising, business development, and strategic planning. He is the Principal of DGM Business Advisors, LLC (formerly Franintell, Inc.), where he provides expert advisory services to a diverse portfolio of clients, including growth advisory, franchise consulting, and strategic guidance.

Throughout his career, David has held key leadership roles in notable companies, including serving as CEO of Your Pie Franchising, LLC, where he led strategic initiatives to drive profitability and franchise growth. Prior to that, he was President and CEO of Back Yard Burgers, where he successfully revitalized the brand and facilitated its acquisition by a new investment group. He also held senior positions at NexCen Brands and FOCUS Brands, overseeing large-scale franchise operations for popular brands such as Cinnabon, Pretzelmaker, and Marble Slab Creamery.

David’s extensive expertise spans international expansion, private equity, turnaround management, and enhancing franchisee satisfaction, making him a sought-after advisor for companies looking to scale and optimize operations. His passion for strategic planning and achieving EBITDA goals has earned him a reputation as a dynamic leader capable of delivering measurable results.

McDougall Head Shot
President
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scott-smith-cfo
Chief Financial Officer

With over a decade of financial leadership experience, Kelly rejoined Horizon River in 2024 after serving as the CFO at Critical Edge, a firm focused on physical security and managed services solutions for critical infrastructure.

 

Before joining Critical Edge, Kelly served as CFO at Horizon River Technologies for over three years, where she played a key role in financial operations, enhancing analytical processes, and optimizing financial statements. Their efforts significantly contributed to the company’s national success.

 

Previously, she held the position of Vice President of Finance & Operations at Ameriquest Leasing & Maintenance for nearly eight years, where she gained extensive experience in financial reporting, operational management, and strategic planning.

 

Kelly holds both a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and Finance and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Middle Tennessee State University. Additionally, she is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), bringing deep expertise in financial analysis and regulatory compliance to every role she takes on.

 

Her comprehensive experience and financial acumen make Kelly a trusted leader in managing complex financial landscapes across multiple industries.

scott-smith-cfo
Chief Financial Officer
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Sonny Cohen_2
Outside General Counsel

Harold M. (Sonny) Cohen currently serves as outside general counsel for the Company. Mr. Cohen is a partner at Taylor English Duma, LLP, a full service 175 lawyer firm based in Atlanta, Georgia. Mr. Cohen is a member of the firm’s Corporate, Real Estate and Hospitality teams. Mr. Cohen served from 2005-2017 as Senior Vice President of Legal Affairs, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Chief Administrative Officer of AFC Enterprises, Inc. and Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc. in Atlanta, Georgia. During that time, he was responsible for all legal affairs of the Company, a member of the senior management team, served as corporate secretary to the Board of Directors, and oversaw the Company’s internal audit, risk management, and property management functions.

Sonny Cohen_2
Outside General Counsel
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Sr. Director - Operations and Delivery

With over 15 years of experience in IT leadership, Michael Anderson is a seasoned Sr. Director of Technology Operations and Delivery. He leads the Technology Operations and Delivery team at Horizon River, which is focused on developing, implementing, and maintaining critical infrastructure services for our clients. His prior leadership experience included a private equity firm in the Lubricant, Oil, & Gas Private Equity sector, where he led a 30-member IT team, managing help desk support, network infrastructure, and two on-premises data centers. Michael’s expertise lies in optimizing IT operations, ensuring high availability, and overseeing disaster recovery efforts for seamless business continuity. He has a proven track record in developing strategic IT infrastructure, enhancing data security, and driving cost-efficient solutions through effective vendor negotiations.

Prior to his current role, Michael worked as a Network Active Directory Architect for Allscripts, where he spearheaded complex domain migrations and security enhancements, and managed cloud integrations with Microsoft Azure and AWS. His leadership extended to supervising security operations, where he worked closely with SOC teams to implement robust security monitoring solutions.

Earlier in his career, Michael was the Sr. Network Administrator and IT Manager for Integrated Business Technologies, where he managed a team of 15 engineers, supporting over 3,000 end users. His skills in server management, virtualization, and SLA compliance helped streamline client services and improve operational efficiency.

Michael holds multiple degrees in Business Management, Computer Science, and Information Technology from the University of California and the University of Southern California. He is also certified in CompTIA Security+, MCSE, CCNP, and CCNA, making him a well-rounded leader with deep technical expertise and a strong strategic vision.

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Sr. Director - Operations and Delivery