TAMPA, FL, October 28, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Chris Vargas has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Mr. Vargas has established a distinguished career in marketing, entrepreneurship and technology, marked by a commitment to integrity and client success. As President of CICOR Marketing, he has led the Tampa-based team through significant industry changes and global challenges since 2013. Under his leadership, CICOR Marketing, an acronym for "Creative Intelligence Changes Our Results," has become known for its comprehensive marketing approach, serving clients across 50 vertical markets in 32 states and four countries, including France, Canada, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.

At CICOR Marketing, Mr. Vargas oversees daily operations and leads a growing team based in the Tampa headquarters, working closely with leadership in the Chicago office. CICOR Marketing delivers full scale digital marketing solutions including brand strategy, web design, SEO, social media marketing, eCommerce, marketing automation, and content creation.

Originally rooted in healthcare marketing, which still comprises a significant portion of its portfolio, CICOR Marketing has expanded its reach into more than 50 vertical markets. These include legal, manufacturing, eCommerce, technology, financial services, professional services, and trade industries. The company is highly experienced in navigating industry specific compliance standards, including HIPAA and Legal Bar regulations, and develops customized strategies tailored to complex, multi-jurisdictional client needs.

Mr. Vargas' forward thinking mindset has driven CICOR Marketing to be able to provide advanced AI driven solutions, including support for Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), Answer Engine Optimization (AEO), and the integration of large language models (LLMs) into client strategies. These innovations help position clients at the forefront of digital discoverability and customer engagement across emerging platforms.

Mr. Vargas's approach is rooted in transparency and education. He is known for providing clients with detailed breakdowns of services and honest assessments of their business needs. His reputation for integrity has led to long-standing client relationships, some of which have spanned over 17 years. Notably, he has contributed to the growth of over 300 businesses, including helping Dr. Allan Smith achieve an estimated $40 million in additional revenue over the years.

In addition to his role at CICOR Marketing, Mr. Vargas served as Interim Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at TP4 Advisors from 2023 to 2025. In this capacity, he provided strategic direction during a period of organizational transition, leveraging his expertise in digital marketing and business development.

From 2011 to 2013, Mr. Vargas was president of Saying It First, where he focused on IT solutions, web design and marketing strategies for small businesses. This venture laid the groundwork for his later partnership that founded CICOR Marketing.

Between 2010 and 2012, Mr. Vargas served as a contributing writer at United Business Media, where he developed editorial and marketing content aimed at enhancing business communications, promoting thought leadership, and supporting industry outreach across various verticals.

As Director at SBKM Consulting from 2005 to 2011, Mr. Vargas provided strategic guidance to clients seeking to improve operational efficiency and implement emerging technologies. His role involved conducting comprehensive business process assessments, identifying areas for workflow optimization, and recommending tailored technology solutions to streamline operations. He worked closely with executive leadership across multiple industries to align digital transformation initiatives with long term business goals, enhance productivity, and reduce operational costs.

From 2007 to 2008, Mr. Vargas served as an Interim Senior Manager at Kanan Group, where he led cross-functional project teams and implemented process improvements across both domestic and international operations. His responsibilities included overseeing projects, optimizing resource allocation, and standardizing workflows to improve efficiency and consistency across global business units.

Between 2000 and 2001, Mr. Vargas served as Director at Mutual Trust Life Insurance in Oak Brook, Illinois, where he successfully accelerated a legacy mainframe system conversion originally scheduled to take three years, completing it in just three months. He also led the development and launch of the company's first nationwide online agent portal, a transformative initiative that improved operational efficiency and generated more than $500,000 in annual cost savings.

Mr. Vargas returned to Freeman in 2001 as Director of IT, overseeing technology and marketing integration operations across 72 offices worldwide for one of the largest global event management companies. During this tenure, he managed over 30 projects that included technology solutions for high profile corporate and public events, including the Salt Lake City Olympic Games, global initiatives for McDonald's, and numerous Fortune 1000 clients. He also led Microsoft Xbox marketing technology programs across the East Coast, ensuring flawless execution of complex, large scale brand experiences.

His initial term at Freeman spanned from 1997 to 2000, when he was rapidly promoted from IT Systems Analyst to Regional IT Manager. In this role, he managed IT operations across six divisions and eighteen locations, implementing systems that improved service delivery, supported large event execution, and laid the foundation for his promotion to Director upon his return to the company.

Mr. Vargas began his professional journey with eight years of distinguished service in the United States Navy from 1989 to 1997. Serving as an Aviation Structural Mechanic Second Class (Air Warfare) with a specialization in Non-Destructive Inspections, he earned multiple medals and commendations for exceptional performance, technical skill, and leadership during his military career.

He is an active member of several industry organizations, including Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (SDVOSB), Business Network International (BNI) and Carrollwood Area Business Association (CABA). These affiliations reflect his ongoing commitment to professional development and community engagement.

Mr. Vargas's academic achievements have been instrumental in shaping his career trajectory. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Information Technology (Summa Cum Laude) from American Intercontinental University in 2003. He continued his studies at American Intercontinental University and completed three additional degrees by 2006, Master of Business Administration in Marketing, Master of Business in International Management, and a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Administration.

Throughout his career, Mr. Vargas has attributed his success to honesty and direct communication with clients, qualities that have fostered trust and long-term partnerships. He is recognized for delivering candid evaluations supported by data and evidence, ensuring clients receive actionable insights even when those insights are difficult to hear.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Mr. Vargas is dedicated to civic engagement and volunteerism. He has participated in hackathon events for the Veterans Administration and remains actively involved with veteran and disability organizations. He also has volunteered with charitable initiatives related to youth sports, including supporting donations several teams and players.

A devoted family man, Mr. Vargas has been married for over three decades to his wife, Kathleen, an accomplished Oncology Nurse with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Together, they have raised four children and built a home grounded in a simple but powerful truth: with honesty and integrity, you can overcome almost anything. This philosophy extends beyond their family, influencing how Mr. Vargas mentors others and cultivates trust in both personal and professional relationships.

Looking ahead, Mr. Vargas aims to double CICOR Marketing's revenue by building on its current growth model and expanding into Central America with the support of new team members who bring diverse skills and perspectives to the organization.

Throughout every phase of his career, from military service through corporate leadership, entrepreneurship, community involvement, and family life, Mr. Vargas has demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to doing right by those he serves.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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