2020 Trusted Advisers Insurance Agent: Jeff Chronister

Risk is a part of life. But there are ways for businesses to limit their exposure, and that’s Jeff Chronister’s mission.

He has spent the last 20 years identifying those risks and making sure his clients’ exposure is as small as possible.

“Working as a team, we can reduce or eliminate the level of risk that a business owner has to worry about so that they can focus on making their business more profitable,” he says.

Chronister cites a client with a fleet of 70 vehicles and an additional 200 employees who drove their vehicles for company business. The company was checking motor vehicle records for the fleet drivers but not checking those driving privately owned vehicles. Chronister designed and implemented a system that monitored all drivers on a consistent basis and helped the company provide training to prevent accidents before they had a chance to happen.

“Hiring and retaining good drivers has shown an immediate impact in the frequency of accidents within their fleet, both owned and nonowned. The result has been lower insurance premiums and better employee retention,” he says.

Chronister says it’s important to him that clients know he is available to them day or night, weekends and holidays. He also provides clients lunch-and-learn sessions that keep clients up to date on new resources available to them.

Client Steve Walensky, who owns Royal W Resort LLC in Cassville, says he’s worked with Chronister for four years.

“Being in the hospitality industry, with several guests coming to my resort, many do not view insurance as a very critical aspect to my business. Well, it is. Having Jeff in the role as my trusted adviser guides and helps me with what insurance business decisions I need to make for my resort,” Walensky says. “Jeff is very customer-service centric and is always up to date on the ever-changing world of insurance. I really appreciate having him in my corner.”

Chronister says his investment of time has been richly rewarded with lifetime friendships.

“Many of my clients have become great friends,” he says. “I know their children, I attend their graduations and their weddings, and am there to support them because we have developed that level of friendship and trust.”

When not advising clients, Chronister is active in a number of professional organizations and charitable groups. He is a member of the Missouri Association of Insurance Agents, Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, Springfield Contractors Association and the Missouri Municipal League, for which he provides educational seminars for city leaders throughout the state.

Chronister also serves on the board of directors for Least of These, a resource for food and hygiene items for low-income residents of Christian County, and volunteers at the One Heart Food Pantry at James River Church.