Fast 15: Matt Hartness

A self-described “people person,” Matt Hartness thrives on interacting with others, through both his work and mentoring.

It took him a little while after college to find his niche, but since starting his career with American National Insurance in 2007, he has remained a top performer.

He earned a bachelor of business administration degree from the University of Arkansas in 2006, but didn’t know how he’d apply that credential. Having spent summers during college working on a ranch in Colorado, he moved there and worked for a year.

Then he was introduced to the insurance industry through a friend whose uncle was hiring agents in Northwest Arkansas.

“Thankfully I went and checked out what the criteria were that he was looking for in an agent, and it was right in line with what I wanted to do,” Hartness said.

He’s hit quite a few benchmarks in the company, plus some of his own financial goals.

But mentoring and missions are also a big part of his life.

He helped start a ministry through WorkMatters called Engage, aimed at helping young professionals integrate their faith with their work and other aspects of their lives.

The group began meeting in January, but the seed was sown last summer, Hartness said.

“We saw this group of people who really had a passion to make a difference in their communities,” he said. “People were just wanting mentors and help from the more experienced generation.”

Engage brings in speakers from WorkMatters for its monthly meetings, which average about 75 attendees. Smaller “pop-up” groups meet weekly.

Hartness and his wife, Kara, lead a community group for young couples through their church. The group helps out with Samaritan House and Life Source International.

The first-time dad also stays busy with daughter Ellery, now 8 weeks old.

He has a long-term dream of ranching, but is happy where he is right now.

“I feel like God has kind of given me a desire to work hard and be excellent at what I do,” Hartness said. “My ultimate desire is to do our work well and represent the Lord to my clients and whoever I’m interacting with on a daily basis.”