Christopher Evans

After graduating Charlotte High School, Chris moved to Minneapolis in 1999, where he spent a year and a half polishing his management skills as operations manager for a small manufacturing company.

In 2001, Chris returned to Florida, at which point he elected to continue his management career with Smuggler’s Enterprises, Inc. Since his return, Chris has worked from the bottom up to position the company for growth, by reforming logistical/operational challenges, to changing marketing apparatus and implementing beneficial new initiatives for the company.

In 2008, Chris formed The Smuggler’s Foundation in partnership with the Charlotte Community Foundation in an effort to streamline Smuggler’s charitable efforts. Currently, the principles of Smuggler’s Enterprises, Inc. fund the foundation by donating .005% of annual sales into the Foundation.

In 2007, Chris had an idea to build a restaurant in Laishley Park. At the time it was going through phase 1 of redevelopment by the local CRA. Together with the support of the company’s President and partners, this and other projects were quickly established, including the popular waterfront restaurant Laishley Crab House located in Laishley Park that was completed in 2009, as well as John Hall’s Goal Post, and Smuggler’s Culinary Catering. In 2009, Chris, along with partners Bruce and Barbara Laishley formed Harbour Graphics and Design, a full service screenprinting, embroidery, and print shop.

Chris was also Managing Partner of Marina Park, LLC, a business enterprise that consists of the Laishley Crab House Center and the Marina Park Management Group. Chris was also responsible for Smuggler’s Event Management, Inc. headed up by Jerry Cleffi. Chris and Jerry have been working together for over 12 years. Smuggler’s Event Management was formed to organize and execute large and small scale events throughout Charlotte County. Another function of the Event Management Company is our subsidiary, Flatsmasters Tournament Series. The Flatsmasters brings professional tournament fishing to Charlotte Harbor and the Tampa Bay areas.

Chris brought unique passion, hard work and a wealth of management and operational experience to the quintessential Smuggler’s Restaurants and Bars and Smuggler’s Event Management.

In 2013, Chris left Smuggler’s Enterprises, Inc. and affiliated businesses. He has joined forces with David Dunn-Rankin of Sun Coast Media, as well as Mark Fig