Chad Lingafelt | Speaker & Entrepreneur
Chad Lingafelt is an entrepreneur and business leader recognized for building scalable service companies, innovative operational systems, and high-performance team cultures within the security industry.
He began his career in radio broadcasting before transitioning in 2004 to Loc-Doc, Inc. as a trainee technician. Identifying early inefficiencies, Chad developed a cloud-based work order and customer management system that became a catalyst for the company’s rapid growth.
In 2012, he became a partner at Loc-Doc and has since helped scale the organization to a team of more than 40. Today, the company operates across multiple divisions, including locksmith and door services, electronic security, and a digital innovation arm, “The Lab,” focused on content creation, software, and app development.
Lingafelt is known for his commitment to sharing practical business insights. From 2018 to 2023, he hosted more than 200 episodes of the Coffee Break Podcast, featuring weekly conversations with business owners, leaders, and entrepreneurs focused on actionable strategies for growth and leadership.
In 2024, he co-launched the Unlocked Podcast, a weekly show with business owners from Minnesota, and Alberta, Canada. The podcast focuses on building enduring businesses designed to scale and sustain across generations.
He has contributed to Locksmith Ledger (building sales, controlling inventory management, choosing the right software for your business) and has been featured on multiple industry podcasts (what installers want from manufacturers ), sharing expertise on operations, sales strategy, and technology adoption. He also serves on several boards within and outside of the security industry, advising on growth, innovation, and leadership.
In 2020, Lingafelt launched a virtual business community that supported business owners across the country in navigating operational challenges during the pandemic. The initiative has since evolved into an ongoing platform for collaboration, mentorship, and strategic development.
He is the architect behind Loc-Doc’s core values framework, which underpins the company’s culture of accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement.
Lingafelt is widely regarded as both a builder and an operator, focused on developing systems that scale and people who lead.
He lives in North Carolina with his wife, Jessica, and their two children, Katie and Clark.
Chad has continued to teach other entrepreneurs how to scale their business and how to develop great culture through classes and education series.
CHAD LINGAFELT
Entrepreneur | Operator | Speaker
Building scalable businesses, strong teams, and systems that last
ABOUT CHAD
Chad Lingafelt is an entrepreneur and business leader known for building scalable service companies, innovative operational systems, and high-performance team cultures within the security industry.
As a partner at Loc-Doc, he has helped grow the company into a multi-division organization spanning locksmith and door services, electronic security, and digital innovation. His work centers on creating systems that drive growth and developing leaders who sustain it.
Chad is also the host of over 200 episodes of the Coffee Break Podcast (2018–2023) and co-host of the Unlocked Podcast (2024–present), where he shares practical strategies on leadership, operations, and long-term business growth.
He serves on multiple boards across and beyond the security industry and is widely recognized as both a builder and an operator, focused on helping businesses scale with intention.
SIGNATURE TOPICS
Building a Business That Scales Without Breaking
Create systems and structure that support growth without chaos.
From Technician to Operator
Make the shift from doing the work to leading the business.
Culture That Performs
Build accountability, ownership, and alignment through core values.
Systems Drive Growth
Leverage technology and processes to scale smarter.
The Operator’s Playbook
Turn vision into execution with clear, repeatable frameworks.
Building a Business That Lasts Generations
Develop leaders and systems for long-term sustainability.
AUDIENCE TAKEAWAYS
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Clear frameworks for scaling operations
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Practical tools for building strong teams and culture
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Proven strategies for improving efficiency and execution
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Leadership insights grounded in real-world experience
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Actionable steps that can be implemented immediately
SPEAKING STYLE
Direct. Practical. Experience-driven.
Chad delivers real-world insights without fluff, combining operational expertise with relatable stories and actionable strategies that audiences can apply immediately.
SELECT EXPERIENCE & CREDENTIALS
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Partner and growth leader at Loc-Doc
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Built and implemented a proprietary cloud-based operations system
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Host of 200+ episodes of the Coffee Break Podcast
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Co-host of the Unlocked Podcast (international business perspectives)
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Contributor to Locksmith Ledger
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Advisor and board member across multiple organizations
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Mentor and consultant to business owners nationwide
IDEAL AUDIENCES
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Business owners and entrepreneurs
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Service-based companies
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Leadership teams and operators
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Industry associations and trade groups
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Growth-stage organizations
BOOKING INFORMATION
Chad Lingafelt
Available for keynotes, workshops, panels, and leadership sessions
📩 Email:
🌐 Website:
🎙 Podcast:
Contact
I'm always looking for new and exciting opportunities. Let's connect.
980-521-6122