| Born in eastern North Carolina and raised in Kinston, Chris has deep ties in our community. From playing basketball at South Lenoir High School to earning his Eagle Scout award at age 17, Chris has been a fixture in our community from an early age. While attending Lenoir Community College, Chris served as Student Government President while simultaneously growing his family's business. To complete his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Chris transferred to UNC-Chapel Hill. Upon graduation, he was hired by the Kmart Corporation as a manager trainee, and later was employed by Peebles Department Stores in Cookeville, TN, before returning home to work in his family's business.
In 1994, Chris obtained his insurance licenses to complement his newly purchased income tax franchise business, which grew to five locations and was sold in 2004. After being hired as an Allstate Agent in 1999, Chris grew several businesses across the state but sold three of the locations to concentrate on eastern North Carolina, with locations in Goldsboro and Kinston.
Chris has remained active in Lenoir and the surrounding counties throughout his adult life. Chris served as a Lenoir County Commissioner for eight years as well as on the La Grange Town Council for three. His involvement locally also included time as President of the La Grange Chamber of Commerce and as a member of both Kinston and Goldsboro Kiwanis Clubs and the Goldsboro Civitans. He was active in the Kinston-Lenoir County Life Underwriters Association and is the former President of the La Grange Rotary Club. He is now a member of the Rotary Club of Kinston and is a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow. He was appointed to the Lenoir Community College Board of Trustees by Governor Pat McCrory, and has served on the LCC Foundation Board as a member of the Finance Committee for over 15 years. Chris is Past Master of St. John's Lodge #4 and is a Shriner. He attends Bethel FWB Church in Kinston.
Chris continues to live in Kinston, NC. His eldest daughter, Bailey, is a senior at UNC-Chapel Hill and his daughter Courtney is an 8th grader at Frink Middle School. He enjoys attending UNC basketball and football games and spending time with his daughters, visiting Lake Gaston and traveling. |