MEET THE
EXECUTIVE TEAM
Chris L. Peterson
President/Owner
Chris Peterson serves as President and Owner of Chris-Leef General Agency, a second-generation family business specializing in surplus lines and wholesale brokerage. Known for his collaborative yet decisive leadership style, Chris focuses on service, technology, and team culture to drive growth. Under his guidance, the company has achieved consistent year-over-year expansion, strengthening its reputation for innovation and client-focused solutions.
Chris’s career includes notable achievements such as being named one of Insurance Business America’s “Young Guns” in 2016 and serving as President of the National Alliance of Managing General Agents (NAGA) from 2017 to 2019. He has held leadership roles on several industry boards, including the Bell & Clements Advisory Council and Nationwide E&S Specialty Advisory Board, and is a recipient of multiple industry scholarships. His involvement in professional organizations reflects his commitment to advancing industry standards and education.
A graduate of Missouri State University, Chris earned a Bachelor of Science in Insurance & Risk Management and an MBA. His expertise spans surplus lines underwriting, strategic leadership, and client service innovation. Outside of work, he enjoys weightlifting and golf. He and his wife are proud parents to three active sons and have two pets, a White Lab named Lily and a cat named Frosty. Their family embraces a very active lifestyle and remain deeply engaged in their church community.
Marnie Hurt
Chief Financial Officer
As Chief Financial Officer of Chris-Leef General Agency, Marnie Hurt leads financial strategy, operational performance, and long-term planning. Her collaborative leadership style and ability to strengthen systems and teams have driven organizational growth through disciplined financial management and process optimization. Marnie’s work consistently enhances transparency, efficiency, and strategic decision-making across the company.
Marnie’s career highlights include modernizing financial operations and elevating reporting capabilities at Chris-Leef, as well as holding leadership roles in financial services and credit operations. Through these roles she has been recognized for building high-performing teams and leading transformative process improvements. Her credentials include Lean Six Sigma and Six Sigma certifications and active membership in The Financial Executives Networking Group (FENG), and Girl Scouts of NE Kansas & NW Missouri Volunteer.
Marnie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration–Finance from Pittsburg State University and completed the Bloch Leadership Development Program at UMKC. Her expertise includes strategic financial planning, budgeting, and operational leadership. Outside of work, Marnie enjoys community involvement, family time, and creative projects. She values continuous learning and creating environments where people and organizations can succeed.
Amy Adams
Vice President of Operations
Amy Adams serves as Vice President of Operations at Chris-Leef General Agency, where she oversees day-to-day operations and partners with teams to drive efficiency, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Her leadership style blends strategic problem-solving with hands-on execution, enabling her to identify opportunities for automation and streamline workflows. These initiatives have accelerated turnaround times and optimized workflows throughout the organization.
Amy began her career at Chris-Leef as an Underwriting Assistant and quickly advanced through roles including Underwriter, Lead, Supervisor, and Manager before joining the Executive Management Team. She has earned AINS, AIS, and AU designations and actively contributes to industry initiatives through her work on NAGA’s Operations and AI Sub-Committees. Amy has also served on advisory boards and user groups focused on system testing and engagement.
Her expertise includes strategic planning, operations management, and process optimization. Outside of work, Amy enjoys riding on the back of her husband’s Harley, cooking, and exploring nature trails. She takes pride in watching her son grow and navigate life independently and spends her free time listening to audiobooks, working on diamond art projects, and appreciating seasonal changes like the first blooms of spring.