At Lockton, personal and professional growth thrives in a culture of collaboration and support. In this article, Andy Johnson shares his career journey to Lockton in his own words, highlighting how his diverse experiences and the unique environment have shaped his approach to work and fueled his passion for development. --- Can you share your work history and your journey at Lockton? My career journey has taken a few turns I’m truly proud of. I started out in the hospitality industry, working my way through undergrad by waiting tables—a crash course in staying calm under pressure, anticipating needs, and building real connections with people. After graduating, I transitioned into teaching, where a lot of those same skills carried over: reading the room, building relationships, and adapting on the fly. I joined Lockton in the summer of 2023 as an Assistant Account Manager, and honestly, I could tell from day one that this place was different. The culture, the collaboration, and the people here immediately stood out. Since joining, I’ve been able to grow a ton—stepping up to help mentor our summer interns, sharing best practices to help onboard new hires, and continuing to develop in my role. Today, I work closely with several Account Managers and Account Executives to help deliver the top-tier service that Lockton is known for. It’s been an incredible experience so far, and I’m excited to continue learning and growing with a company that truly invests in its people. How has your experience working in education shaped the way you approach your work today? My experience in education shaped the way I approach just about everything I do today. Teaching taught me how to stay calm under pressure, how to communicate clearly even when the situation is complex, and how to anticipate needs before they’re even spoken. It also gave me a deep appreciation for building strong relationships—whether it’s with clients, teammates, or new hires. The classroom taught me to break things down into manageable steps, stay adaptable, and always keep learning. Those same skills have been invaluable in my role now. I’m proud to bring that mindset with me every day, and I’m constantly looking for ways to keep growing and supporting the people around me. What sets Lockton apart from other organizations you’ve been a part of? What sets Lockton apart for me is the people. From the first day, it’s clear that collaboration, mentorship, and genuine support aren’t just buzzwords here—they’re part of the everyday experience. People go out of their way to help each other succeed, leadership really invests in your growth, and everyone is encouraged to grow, ask questions, and bring new ideas to the table. At other places, it sometimes felt like success was a solo journey. Here, there’s a true team mentality—people invest in you, and you’re encouraged to invest back into others. It creates an environment where you’re not just showing up for a job; you’re showing up for a team that’s invested in your success. It truly makes all the difference. What has been your “Lockton Moment” — a time when you knew Lockton was the right place for you? My "Lockton Moment" came during my mid-year review. In past roles, speaking up about my goals often felt risky—like wanting more might be seen as overstepping, or that I was being pushy, impatient, or ungrateful. So, when it came time for my review, I was hesitant to advocate for myself as I debated whether it was ‘too much’ to express my desires. But something about the culture at Lockton felt different, so I took a deep breath and shared that I was passionate about growing into an Account Manager role. And what happened next caught me by surprise in the best way. Instead of being met with criticism or pushback, my boss listened—truly listened—and immediately supported my vision for growth. Together, we mapped out a plan for how I could get there. It was one of the first times in my career I truly felt seen, valued, and encouraged not just for who I was, but for who I wanted to become. That conversation wasn’t just a career milestone for me—it was a personal one, too. It confirmed that Lockton isn’t just a place where careers grow; it’s a place where people grow. And true growth happens where people are genuinely valued. I’m proud to be building my career at a company that lives out that belief every day. How would you describe Lockton’s culture to someone unfamiliar with it? I would describe Lockton’s culture as genuinely people-first. It’s a place where collaboration, growth, and support aren’t just talked about—they’re lived out every day. People are encouraged to reach up, ask questions, share ideas, and take ownership of their growth, no matter where they are in their career journey. It’s a fast-paced environment, but it’s one where you never feel like you’re navigating it alone. There’s always someone ready to invest their time, knowledge, and encouragement to help you succeed. Lockton’s culture is built on trust, authenticity, and a true commitment to seeing people thrive—both personally and professionally.