Chris Lock has the expertise to provide restaurant and hospitality clients with quality insurance advice and coverage.
He spent 15 years in preparation.
A recent organizational communication and development honors graduate of Drury University, Lock worked since 2000 in the food industry for Rib Crib Corp. and Fellers Food Service Equipment.
That was until June 2015, when he joined Naught-Naught Insurance Agency Inc. as an account manager.
“I have worked tirelessly to achieve the expertise in my field, coming up through the trenches in restaurant sales and reaching my fullest potential within each organization I was devoted to,” Lock says. “It may appear that I am just starting my insurance career, but this has been a long work in progress.”
His close proximity to the food industry gives him a unique view into the operations of restaurants and service clients.
Beyond providing commercial and personal lines of insurance, Lock considers himself a partner of his clients. That means helping others succeed, even when it doesn’t necessarily come to insurance.
For example, Lock might work with clients to develop menus, research equipment, set up meetings with other industry experts or help remedy any number of problems.
“A partner needs to not only want you to succeed, but help you get there,” he says. “It’s a very emotional commitment between the agent and the insured.
“We have to have their best interest at the forefront and protect their families and livelihoods from multiple threats.”
This type of attitude, he says, is critical as there is a great deal of trust in educating what the policy verbiage means and correctly assessing what unforeseen exposures the client might never consider.
“Trust comes from time spent, valued referrals and in having the integrity to do what you say you will every time,” Lock says.
The current president of the board for the Springfield/Branson Chapter of the Missouri Restaurant Association, Lock is maintaining his knowledge of the industry.
He works on behalf of the organization with state-level politicians on legislation that may impact restaurants, and he guides an educational fund that gives thousands of dollars in scholarships and grants to local students and programs working in the industry.
“The leadership role on this board is a natural fit and allows me a greater opportunity to impact our area food-service operations,” Lock says.
In addition to his insurance work, Lock also is committed to helping high school students get where they want to go.
He’s actively involved with area high school chapters of the Future Business Leaders of America, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, and ProStart, an initiative of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.
“It’s amazing to work with the next generation of leaders in our community and a great way to give back to an excellent educational system that helped me get where I am today,” Lock says.
