Introducing Chris Essex

Cobalt is thrilled to welcome Chris Essex as our new Chief Revenue Officer. Chris brings a wealth of experience and a customer-first mindset that aligns with our mission of revolutionizing Offensive Security. In this blog, we sit down with Chris to learn more about his journey, insights, and vision for Cobalt’s future.

Who is Chris Essex?

I’m a Texas boy at heart. I grew up in Houston in a big family where “yes sir” and “yes ma’am” were the norms. Today, I live in sunny Florida, right on the beach, with my amazing wife, who’s not only my partner in life but also an incredible tennis player. We’ve been together since college, and while I’d rather not reveal my age, I’ll say this: I’m a grandpa now! Family is everything to me. My wife and I have four sons, and some of my favorite moments are watching sports and hanging out with them. I also played football in college, so sports have always been a big part of my life.

Why Did You Join Cobalt?

When I first connected with Sonali (Cobalt’s CEO), the conversation was immediately engaging and energizing. That initial discussion gave me a clear sense of the opportunity ahead and the strong foundation already in place at Cobalt. Offensive Security is a growing space with huge potential, especially in areas like network testing, cloud testing, Red Teaming, and vulnerability management. The total addressable market is expanding, and the vision at Cobalt is clear: we’re positioned to lead with a combination of people and technology.

Meeting the leadership team further cemented my decision. Their passion and commitment to driving results were inspiring, and I’m excited to execute on our shared vision.

Can You Provide an Overview of Your Experience?

I’ve spent over two decades leading teams and driving growth in the cybersecurity SaaS and services space. My career includes senior roles at companies like Forcepoint and Appriver, where I focused on go-to-market strategies, customer success, and scaling operations for mid-market and enterprise segments. A key aspect of my approach has always been to take care of the customer. My focus is on building high-performing teams that prioritize customer value. At Cobalt, I see an opportunity to win by leveraging our exceptional people and innovation.

What Insights Have You Gained Over the Years?

One philosophy that resonates with me comes from Kobe Bryant’s Mamba Mentality: When motivation runs low, discipline should take over. Details matter, and success comes from a relentless focus on planning, execution, and continuous improvement. At Cobalt, that means keeping a sharp focus on what we can do to help our customers succeed. Execution and adaptability will be key as we move forward.

What Is Your Mission and Vision for Cobalt?

My mission is simple: help our customers streamline their processes and achieve their goals through scalable and efficient solutions. Cobalt is uniquely positioned to provide value to businesses of all sizes, from startups to large enterprises. Looking ahead, the channel holds enormous potential, and I have a strong positive outlook for 2025. Our strategy emphasizes adapting to different regions while staying true to our core vision. Reiteration and focus will be crucial to ensuring we execute effectively.

Closing Thoughts

Cobalt’s journey is just beginning, and I’m honored to be part of it. With a laser focus on customer success and a commitment to leveraging our incredible team and technology, I’m confident we’ll achieve great things together.