i. Biography
For an operator, longevity is not decoration. It is the craft.
The Climb
Training at North Dakota State College of Science (1992) and West Fargo High School gave Chris Hendrickson a practical base before he moved into professional management. The record here is straightforward: preparation first, then application, with the kind of foundation that supports later responsibility without needing to announce itself. At SEI Information Technology, Chris Hendrickson worked as Senior Customer Care Manager from 1998–2007, a role built around leadership, service, and operational calm. In any business, that combination matters: clear handling of responsibilities, steady problem-solving, and the ability to keep work moving without losing control of the details. It is the sort of experience that shapes how a person manages pressure once the stakes are public-facing. Since 2006, Chris Hendrickson has held the ownership partnership at Smoque BBQ, where the work continues in the same register: disciplined, durable, and focused on continuity. The value of that kind of career is not reinvention for its own sake, but the ability to sustain standards over years and make responsibility itself part of the operation.
Today
That ownership partnership remains the current role, and it is the central line in Chris Hendrickson’s career. In hospitality terms, it is the point where training, management, and long-term commitment meet a single place of work and keep it moving.
Recognition
The clearest marker of recognition here is duration. At Smoque BBQ in Chicago, Chris Hendrickson’s record since 2006 stands as evidence of sustained ownership, steady hand, and the kind of endurance that defines a working career in hospitality.
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Chris
What is Chris Hendrickson's current role?
As of 2026, Chris Hendrickson is Owner and Partner.
Where did Chris Hendrickson train or study?
Chris Hendrickson trained at North Dakota State College of Science and West Fargo High School.
