Chris Poynter serves as the Managing Partner of the Trinity Benefit Advisors and Russ Blakely Associates partnerships within BKS. Chris is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and started his insurance career in 1989 with Provident Life and Accident, which became UnumProvident. Throughout a 13-year career, he was promoted to Senior Market Manager with responsibilities for Florida and all operations in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska and Southwest Illinois. After a short stay at large National Firm, Chris (along with Tony Stubbs and Drew Mann) founded Trinity Benefit Advisors because he wanted a best-in-class, independent-minded firm dedicated to his clients' best interests. Trinity Benefit Advisors grew into the leading employee benefits firm in Tennessee under Chris’ leadership experiencing dynamic growth both organically and through acquisition. Chris is very proud of this success but is most proud of the intentional culture the firm has built as Trinity is viewed as a destination career for the best professionals in the industry which fit perfectly with the partnership with BKS that was established in June 2020.

Chris' background has given him the opportunity to work with many large multi-state employers using many funding vehicles. Today, he enjoys using that knowledge to also bring large employer benefits to small and mid-sized employers.

Chris has won numerous industry and company awards throughout his career earning partners group and exceptional producer status. He is a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors and has been published in several industry publications.

Chris lives in Knoxville, TN. with wife of 30 years Elise and has two sons ages 23 and 21 (Clark and Cole).