On the Record: Fostering entrepreneurship at Northeastern’s Roux Institute in Portland

Photo / Jim Neuger Chris Torina, director of entrepreneurship at Northeastern University’s Roux Institute in Portland, has a background in law enforcement.

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By Renee Cordes

Chris Torina, director of entrepreneurship at Northeastern University’s Roux Institute in Portland, has a varied professional background that includes law enforcement, real estate investing and the poker industry. The Yarmouth resident moved here from California in 2021.

Mainebiz: What was working in law enforcement like?

Chris Torina: Law enforcement was intense, demanding, yet fun and deeply rewarding. For nearly a decade, I served as an undercover narcotics agent and SWAT team operator, and that experience sharpened my ability to assess risk, stay composed under pressure and make critical decisions with limited information.

MB: What led you to poker?

CT: At some point, I knew I needed a new challenge. Something inside me kept pushing me toward starting my own business. I had no idea what that business would be, only that it had to be completely different from my current career. Then I discovered televised poker. The game fascinated me — not just for the thrill of competition or the chance to win life-changing sums of money, but for its strategic depth, critical thinking and constant need for adaptation. There was something mesmerizing about it — the tension, the mind games, the calculated risks. It felt strikingly like working undercover. I was instantly hooked.

MB: What brought you to Maine?

CT: Our move is a product of the pandemic. After over a decade in Los Angeles, COVID changed my perspective on city life. Living near downtown Los Angeles, we felt the full weight of it. That summer, we visited my wife’s family in Friendship. Two weeks in, we knew it was time to move out of L.A. We flew back, listed our house and by August 2021, we were in Maine.

MB: What’s your role at the Roux Institute?

CT: As director of entrepreneurship, I lead a talented team dedicated to building programs that drive innovation and create meaningful impact in Maine. Our work spans high-impact education, community engagement and strategic partnerships. I also collaborate closely with the leaders of our Founder Residency, Future of Healthcare Residency and ClimateTech Incubator to help support and strengthen their programs so we can continue to position the Roux as a premier hub for entrepreneurial innovation nationwide.

MB: How do you define entrepreneurship?

CT: I’ve always defined entrepreneurship as being a feeling — an unshakable energy that keeps me up at night, the idea that hits out of nowhere, the spark that won’t fade – the adrenaline rush, the sweaty palms - the moment you realize that you just might be onto something special. But it’s more than just emotion. Entrepreneurship is the ability to see opportunity where others don’t and betting on yourself when others won’t. For me, entrepreneurship is deeply personal — it’s that flash of clarity, like a switch flipping when you know it’s time to turn your side thing into your main thing.

MB: What skills from your past do you bring to Roux?

CT: I’d like to think being a cop made me more disciplined, better prepared and deeply mission-driven. Poker took those lessons even further. It sharpened my ability to read people, take calculated risks and empathize with purpose, all while staying fully present. It taught me that success isn’t just about playing the cards you’re dealt, it’s also about understanding how others perceive theirs and anticipating their next move. That same strategic thinking, resilience and emotional intelligence shape the way I approach my work at the Roux every day.

MB: You mentioned making programs more intentional and impactful. How?

CT: Too many entrepreneurship programs get stuck in theory. At the Roux, we create customized, high-impact pathways that empower people to push beyond their limits. We don’t run programs just to check a box. We thoughtfully design them to address the unique needs of communities and help tackle Maine’s most pressing challenges.

MB: What’s your take on Maine’s startup scene?

CT: Having cut my teeth in two of the most robust and competitive regions in the country, in Southern California and Las Vegas, has given me an even greater appreciation for Maine’s startup ecosystem. The level of engagement, support and access to resources is truly remarkable.