Pickens County Habitat for Humanity board member Chris Jensen was born and raised in Michigan where he received his undergraduate degree in marketing and his graduate degree in business at Northern Michigan University located in Marquette. Over the years, Jensen has had a varied career path. He has been a business manager of a radio station, a technical writer, a general manager of a kayak company and sold industrial real estate in Detroit. Education is an important part of Jensen’s life, which allowed him to change careers five times. He now owns Smart Storage, a climate-controlled storage facility in Easley. He is also actively involved with the Boy Scouts of America. He has served as a troop leader of Troop 31, is on the national BSA museum committee and hosts BSA memorabilia trade shows throughout the country.
Jensen was first exposed to Habitat for Humanity six years ago as a customer at the PCHFH ReStore in Easley. Since Jensen owns a storage facility, the ReStore manager asked if Jensen would be willing to donate unwanted items that people left in their units to the PCHFH ReStore. Jensen was happy to oblige and not long after supporting the ReStore through donations, he became a board member and volunteered to help oversee the ReStore operations. After the closing of the ReStore in the winter of 2020, Jensen has found new ways to remain involved as a PCHFH board member, working on various projects including building homes, repairing homes, storing items or anything else that PCHFH needs assistance with.
Jensen’s history volunteering with the BSA inspired him to apply the construction and repair skills he gained toward the PCHFH home builds. Jensen recently started volunteering as a homeowner mentor and is excited to see firsthand the life of a family change for the better. As a homeowner mentor, Jensen’s role is to teach the family how to take care of their new home and the importance of home maintenance. This entails teaching the family skills such as how to clean gutters, change furnace filters or make minor fixes, and guiding homeowners as to when a professional should be hired to handle repairs.
Jensen’s favorite memories working with Habitat are the reactions individuals express whenever he mentions that he is a board member at PCHFH. After informing people that he is involved on the PCHFH board, many want to become involved with the organization or give donations. Jensen encourages all people to get involved with Habitat in any capacity they can.
“I just believe in giving back to the community,” he said. “Volunteers looking to get involved can help in finance, marketing, painting or swinging a hammer, so there are lots of different ways one can get involved.”
To donate, volunteer or learn more about becoming a board member, call (864) 878-6374, email JillEvans@PickensHabitat.org or visit PickensHabitat.org.
