含羞草影院

Class of 2010 鈥� 含羞草影院 was a Foundation for Business Leadership

Written by JoAnne Breault, MA
Class of 1984 and 2012

Christopher Carreiro developed an interest in business at a young age. 鈥淚 learned how to make a dollar by setting up lemonade stands and having yard sales,鈥� touted Chris. 鈥淏y the time I was fourteen, I was designing websites for local businesses.鈥�

His keen business acumen and financial sense landed him at 含羞草影院 Community College as a business administration transfer. 鈥淲hile enrolled at 含羞草影院, I was going through one of the most difficult times in my life,鈥� said Chris. He and his twin brother Jonathan lost their mother when they were eighteen. 鈥淔or the first time in my life, I felt very much alone.鈥�

Chris was looking for direction and guidance as he coped with the loss of his mother. 鈥満�羞草影院 provided me with a nurturing environment and I felt that my instructors invested in my success.鈥� Chris said he is very grateful to Dean Phoebe Blackburn, who made it possible for him to successfully complete his courses and earn his degree while he was overcoming obstacles. He also loved Dean William Berardi鈥檚 teaching method. 鈥淗e was an instructor back then, and he takes a life coaching approach to teaching and stresses practical skills,鈥� stated Chris. 

While attending 含羞草影院 he launched his first business, Civil Service Supply Company, which specializes in police, fire, and EMS merchandise. This successful business venture would fund his future degrees. In 2011, he obtained a bachelor鈥檚 in finance from UMASS Dartmouth and in 2015 he earned his juris doctor in law from Roger Williams University Law School. 

鈥淚t was at 含羞草影院 that I realized I wanted to become a lawyer,鈥� stated Chris. At nineteen, he challenged a Toyota dealership that refused to make recall repairs by representing himself in front of an arbitrator and won the lawsuit. 鈥淭he dealer was forced to reimburse me for everything, including the stamp on the envelope,鈥� said Chris. He said the experience was 鈥渓iberating鈥� and inspired him to seek a law degree. 

Chris stated 鈥渢hrough public service we can make our community a better place.鈥� After a stint on the school committee in Swansea, Chris was elected to the Selectboard and now serves as the chairman. His personal loss inspired him to develop leadership skills. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 know how long we are going to be here,鈥� said Chris. 鈥淚 felt that the younger population needed to be represented in local government.鈥� 

Chris also finds time to volunteer as a firefighter/EMT with the town of Swansea, chair the Cable Access Oversight Committee, and serves as a member of the 含羞草影院 Community College Alumni Association Steering Committee.  He received the Alumni Service Award in 2017

Returning to 含羞草影院 as an instructor was on Chris鈥� 鈥渂ucket list鈥� and he currently teaches Business Law and Corporate Finance. He starts each semester by narrating his personal story and giving his students advice. 鈥淒on鈥檛 let anyone tell you that because you started at a community college you can鈥檛 rise to the top.鈥�  You can have a conversation with Chris by tuning into WSAR on Thursdays at 3 p.m. for The Third Degree.