4 under 40:
CHRIS SARVADI
Director of Sales & Operations
MEGATON
BREWERY /
THE
NATHANIEL
CENTER
by Tom Broad
Mission is his mantra
Like most recent college grads, Chris Sarvadi had it all figured out.
With a bachelor’s degree in communications and a minor in graphic design from Cabrini University near Philadelphia, Chris planned to return to Texas as a television journalist.
Eighty applications later, he was jobless and bored.
“My uncle owned the Nathaniel Center in Kingwood, so I asked him if he needed help. I was willing to set up chairs, sweep floors, whatever it took,” Chris recalled. “That is how I began my career in Kingwood. From ‘schlepper’ to general manager.”
Today, Chris, now 36, is general manager of the Nathaniel Center, the performing arts and events center on Russell Palmer Road in Kingwood. The Nathaniel Center, however, is just one of three corporate hats that he wears.
“I really have three occupations,” he said. “Besides the Nathaniel Center, I also am co-owner of Megaton Brewery, located next to the Nathaniel Center, and co-owner of Wasteland Paintball Park in Cleveland, Texas.”
Chris was born and raised in Carrolton, Texas, a graduate of Carrolton Christian Academy, with lots of family who lived in Kingwood.
“I knew after college that I’d move back to Texas, but my girlfriend made it clear she didn’t want to live in Dallas,” Chris said.
With an uncle and grandparents who lived in Kingwood, Chris and Vicky, now his wife, moved to The Livable Forest with their two dogs, Lil Fox and Minnie Dash.
Chris comes from a family of entrepreneurs. His dad, Michael Sarvadi, ran the family business, an industrial heat-treating company that made industrial ovens. His uncle, Paul Sarvadi, started what is now Insperity.
“If you looked up ‘trend-setter’ and ‘do-good business person’ in the dictionary, you’d find my Uncle Paul. And my parents have always supported me 100 percent,” he said. “We all are on each other’s team.”
It was after Hurricane Harvey when Chris and Vicky knew living in Lake Houston was their forever home.
“Post Harvey was such a weird experience,” Chris recalled. “Kingwood Drive looked like a war zone. I was 28 and had no idea what I was doing. People would call, then send truckloads of food and items. When we opened Nathaniel as a distribution center, I realized we were fulfilling our mission.”
“Mission” is central to Chris’ business philosophy. Each of his enterprises has a mission, but it isn’t what you would expect.
“Bars can be a dark, disappointing place,” he said, “but Megaton is the light for those who may be in a dark place. A fellowship, an encouraging word or smile, saying one nice thing to someone can make such a difference.”
At the Nathaniel Center, Chris and crew play a big part in someone’s life, “…a wedding, a retirement, even a performance on our stage. We make it unforgettable.”
Those looking for a second chance can find it at Wasteland Paintball.
“A Kingwood Park High teacher asked us to sponsor their team,” Chris said. “We went to several paintball parks. I thought, ‘we can do this.’ And we did. We host pro teams and big events at Wasteland. Eventually, these people become your family, too.”
Running a business is tough. Running three is insane, Chris admitted.
“You do it because it is your passion,” he said. “Chasing money won’t make anyone successful. Surrounding yourself with good people will. Even running a brewery is not all party time. It can be incredibly stressful, for example, if you spend time to brew it, then taste it – and it’s awful.”
While being selected as a “4 Under 40” is a privilege, Chris is grateful to be on the Partnership board.
“As a board member, it puts you in a unique position. I am around leaders established in their career who are open to talking with you, he said. “The Partnership has some remarkable people who not only make our community great but, if you listen, can make your business great, too.”