(Note: Our How I Work series is brought to you by AccruePartners – building people, companies and careers by being at the forefront of the staffing and executive search industry).
Office location
Swimmer Insurance Agency, 725 Providence Road (Myers Park/Eastover)
Job Title
Vice President, Commercial Insurance
What do you actually do?
In a few words … I’m a commercial insurance agent. I work with business owners, primarily in the Charlotte area, to make sure they have an insurance program that accurately protects their business, and does so at a competitive premium. More specifically, I focus on assisting those within the craft beverage industry with their insurance needs. Whether that be a brewery, bottle shop, distributor, craft beer friendly restaurant/bar, or even a beer festival, we not only can help out … we enjoy the partnership.
Aside from the craft beverage industry, our firm handles just about every type of insurance BUT health insurance. Cheers to that!
Commute
From Southeast Charlotte alllllllll the way down Providence Road. If I don’t get behind ‘Providence Road Biker Guy’ or the CATs bus … 30 minutes.
What do you do during your commute?
From August to April, it’s usually 610AM (WFNZ) … other than that it’s a mix of Podcasts, NPR, or a Pandora comedy station
Phone Type
iPhone 6s
Desk photo
Computer
Microsoft Surface Pro 3 w/ dual screen workstation
Gadgets you can’t live without
iPhone, DVR, Keurig
Do you listen to music while you work?
Yes … Pandora. Lately I’ve been on a Hip Hop BBQ Radio kick, which is 90s Rap/Hip Hop/R&B
What’s your favorite spot for a business lunch? Your order?
Ooh, that’s tough … let me break it down. If I’m trying to impress, let’s go with Dressler’s Metropolitan (calamari). For a more casual lunch, it’s definitely Lebowski’s in Dilworth (Gold Rush wings). For the best deal in Charlotte, I’ll tackle the all-you-can-eat sushi at Pisces Sushi (also Metropolitan). Finally, if I need to get my Mexican fix, I’ll walk next door to RuRu’s Tacos & Tequila and get a trio of tacos.
Social media habits
I really only use Facebook and Twitter (@Matt_Frazier) … does that mean I’m old? At least I didn’t call it ‘The Facebook’ or ‘The Twitter’. I do have an Instagram account.
To-do list manager
Outlook calendar or texts/emails to myself
What everyday thing are you really good at?
Quick-witted humor
Best time-saving shortcut or Charlotte life hack
Earlier office hours to avoid intense Providence Road traffic
Sleep routine
Early to bed (10:00) … early to rise (6:00). Having a 6-year old and 3-year old help with that.
Where do you go around Charlotte to get away from the office?
Squirrel Lake Park with the family, date night with the wife (Vintner Wine Market followed by a movie at Cinebarre), grab a pint (or two) with friends, hit the links, head to a Panthers/Hornets/Knights game.
What did you eat for breakfast this morning?
Black coffee and peanut butter on a few Ritz crackers
If you weren’t doing your current job, what would you be doing?
My dad is an insurance agent, my father-in-law is an insurance agent, my brother-in-law is an insurance agent, and my other brother-in-law works at an insurance company. Let’s face it, this hypothetical question makes me tear up a little. I guess I would be a cast member on SNL.
Best job advice you’ve received
“If you focus on what you left behind, you will never see what lies ahead.” (Confession … this is a quote from Ratatouille, but it’s great).
Last movie you watched (grade it on a A-F scale)
Zootopia with my 6-year old daughter. It was a good movie (B+), but my daughter still has nightmares about the rabid otter (if you’ve seen the movie, you’ll know what I’m talking about). I still have nightmares about the Jungle Book preview.
What’s one thing people don’t know about Charlotte that they should?
I guess I’ll go back to the beer scene. Most people think we only have 4-5 breweries in town. What might shock them is that we have many more that have either just opened up or are ‘in planning’.
Is there anything else that we didn’t ask that you’d like to tell our readers?
Respect the community, respect one another, and keep it local.
What other Charlottean would you like to answer these questions?
My buddy Nils Weldy, who runs Queen City Brewers Festival benefiting ACEing Autism
