Scott Smith, president of Smith & Eddy Insurance, has been with the agency since 1995. As president, Scott is responsible for the day-to-day operations and management of multiple offices. As president of the agency, he has a huge commitment to customers, employees, and carriers.

“As a business leader, part of my job is to make our community better. I’ve been lucky to live and work in the same town my entire life. I stay active by volunteering for the chamber board, hospital foundation board, and by spending time on the local sports booster club. However, my wife and two boys keep me on the go as well. If I’m not at work, you’ll most likely find me running, biking, attending a school event, or simply enjoying the Ludington area.”

Matt has been a life-long resident of Mason County. After graduating from Ludington High School in 1998, Matt attended Grand Valley State University where he graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Accounting and Finance. Matt has been employed with Smith & Eddy Insurance since 2004. His primary focus is personal insurance, including home, automobile, and life insurance. Matt and his wife Kim have been married since 2006 and reside in Victory Township with their daughter Avonlea. Away from work, Matt enjoys spending time outdoors, biking, kayaking, hiking, and snowshoeing.

Alisha is one of the agency partners and a native of Mason County, graduating from Mason County Central in 2000. Alisha has been in the insurance industry since 2007 with focus on personal and life insurance. She has earned her CPIA, Certified Professional Insurance Agent designation and is the Personal Lines Director overseeing all of the office locations.

Alisha stays active in the community and also devotes her time as the Ludington Lakestride race director. When not working, you will find her triathlon training and relaxing on the water with her family.

Anita grew up in Scottville, graduating from Mason County Central schools. After graduation, she attended Davenport University receiving a Dual Associates degree and thereafter moving back to Mason County. Anita currently lives in Hamlin with her husband and two daughters. “In the summer, I love to be outside as much as possible, but in the winter—forget it!”

Greg has been licensed in the insurance business for 30 years. He enjoys dealing with families and small businesses specializing in life, health and retirement planning. Greg is licensed in property & casualty, and life & health.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to team up with my wife Karen so we can split the responsibilities to better serve our clients.”

Part of a crop insurance family, my grandfather, Bryce Christensen, and my father, Garrett Christensen, worked in the crop and agriculture insurance business for decades. I have since joined the familybusiness and continue a legacy of service and commitment to our community and others throughout Michigan. 

In addition, my partnership with Smith & Eddy has given me even more options to help protect not only your crops, but also your entire property and farm auto insurance needs. If you are looking for personal service and attention-to-detail, call, text, or email me any time to discuss your options and how I can help!

Nick was born and raised in Manistee County and graduated from Manistee Catholic Central in 2013. After high school, he attended Central Michigan University where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a minor in Professional Sales in 2017. He joined the Smith & Eddy team in 2017 as a licensed agent and is active in Personal Lines, Life and Health.

Nick married his wife Abby in 2020 and they have two daughters, Alyson and Evelyn. Nick is active in his community. He serves as Vice President on the Manistee Catholic Central Athletic Association Member of the Manistee Chamber Leadership Team, and also serves as the Varsity Boys Basketball Coach at Manistee Catholic Central. Outside of work he enjoys spending time outdoors playing golf, hunting, spending time with family and friends, going to Michigan sporting events, and enjoying the Michigan Outdoors.

Kay joins us with over  40 years of experience and has achieved the Certified Insurance Service Representative “CISR” designation. She is experienced in all aspects of personal lines insurance including customer service, quoting, underwriting and claims. She has worked in the independent agency system, captive agency, as well as in the company field areas. 

Kay has recently moved back to her home town of Manistee to be closer to her family. In her spare time Kay enjoys home improvement projects, enjoying the great beaches and most of all spending time with her two grandchildren.

Justin is a born and raised Free Soil Native who graduated from Manistee Catholic Central in 2008 and then achieving a Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services Administration from Central Michigan University in 2012. From there, he accepted a position as an Event Manager and was relocated to New Orleans and then Jacksonville, Florida. Justin was responsible for staffing the Security and Guest services for NFL games, two Super Bowls and large concerts/events. In 2014, Justin moved back to Free Soil and started his career in the insurance industry.

Justin joined our team in July of 2018 having prior experience from the captive agency side. His primary focus in the agency is helping find insurance solutions for our local business and well as advising clients on home, auto and life insurance. Justin and his wife Kerri along with their two children, spend a lot of time taking advantage of what West Michigan has to offer specifically the hunting, fishing, golfing, softball, kayaking and beaches.

Born and raised in Ludington. I graduated from LHS. I have been working in customer service since I was 13 years old starting at Old Hamlin Restaurant. I joined the Smith & Eddy team in September 2015. I look forward to working with the public and helping them out any way I can. As an account executive I help gather billing, auto and home information to help out my fellow colleagues. My future with Smith & Eddy is to learn and take classes to become a certified agent and help service the community with their insurance needs. I enjoy spending time with my nieces, and outdoor activities like fishing, walking and especially enjoy our State Park all year round.

Joseph L. Knowles is Vice-President of Smith & Eddy Insurance. He was born and raised in Mason County and graduated from Mason County Central Schools in 1995. He attended WSSC and earned an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice in 1997. Prior to joining Smith & Eddy Insurance in 2011, he owned a successful Farm Bureau Insurance agency in downtown Scottville for almost 12 years.

“During those crucial years with Farm Bureau I became an expert in the county’s agricultural insurance needs, in addition to the standard insurance needs in our area. I also earned the LUTCF professional designation early in my career, making me an expert in the life insurance protection needs of individuals and businesses. I have been married to my wife Andrea since 2004 and together we have a son, Karson, and a daughter GraceLynn.”

Ken has been with Smith & Eddy Insurance since 1997 and has been in the insurance since 1979. Ken grew up in the Scottville area and has worked out of the Smith & Eddy Manistee, and Scottville offices. 

He has been active in several organizations including the Manistee Jaycees, the Scottville Optimist and the Ludington Rotary. He has served on boards for several organizations including the Mason-Lake Soil Conservation district and the Filer Township DDA.

Ken is responsible for outside sales for Smith & Eddy for commercial, farm and personal lines and is ready to meet with clients outside the office at any time. 

Ken enjoys golfing and hiking and enjoying all the beauty that West Michigan has to offer. He has three daughters and 4 grandchildren that he is very proud of.

Dean was born and raised in Mason County and graduated from Mason County Central High School in 2003. He continued his education at Albion College, graduating with a B.A. in Economics and Management. Dean joined the Smith & Eddy team in 2012 as a licensed agent and has since earned his Certified Professional Insurance Agent (CPIA) designation. He is most active in personal lines insurance, life insurance and small commercial accounts.

Dean and his wife Andrea, who is a teacher for Ludington Area Schools, have three daughters, Marie, Ellie and Joanna. Dean also stays very active in the community currently serving on boards for the Ludington Optimist Club and Mason County Central Educational Foundation. Outside of work he enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing basketball, enjoying area school sporting events, and spending time outdoors hunting, fishing and playing golf.

Zack has been a life-long resident of Manistee. After Graduating from Manistee Catholic Central in 2013, Zack Started as an Intern at Smith & Eddy. He attended Grand Rapids Community College and then onto Ferris State University where he was an All- American Golfer. Zack is now a Full-Time Employee at Smith and Eddy. His primary focus is personal insurance…Home, Auto, and Life Insurance. In his free time, he still plays competitive Golf and coaches basketball. He also loves hunting, fishing and anything outdoors.

Joel was born in Zeeland, MI and raised in Manistee County a few miles from Crystal Mountain Resort. Joel has been a Licensed Insurance Agent in property & casualty and life & health since 2012. He earned his CPIA designa􀆟on in 2015. Joel’s insurance career began with State Farm, before moving on to the Independent Agency channel in 2013 with Bear Lake Insurance Agency in Bear Lake, Michigan. Joel joined Smith & Eddy Insurance in 2023 when Bear Lake Insurance became part of the Smith & Eddy family. Though not raised in Bear Lake, Joel has goten to know and love the community over his years of serving as their local Agent.

Joel and his wife Leah, have put down roots in local farm country. Leah has been a teacher first at Manistee Catholic Central, then with Benzie County Schools, before taking a few years hiatus to enjoy raising their 2 sons and 2 daughters. Joel and Leah share a love of kayaking and taking summer getaways to the Upper Peninsula.

Ed has lived in the Ludington area for 13 years. After graduating from Hillsdale College he moved into a sales position and has built an extensive history of relationships in the community as a result. His passion for serving others led him into volunteer coaching for all sports at a recreation level. His wife Trish is also a coach, she coaches soccer at Ludington schools, where their twins and high school son attend. 

When not at work in the Benefits department, Ed is busy between sports practices, games, and other events. He and his family, although sports-oriented, enjoy camping and golfing as well.

Nancy joined the Smith & Eddy team in January 2021. Her experience in the independent insurance industry started shortly after graduating from Mona Shores High School in 1975. Residing in Norton Shores most of her life, she spent 40 years working at the Grand Haven based Van Dort Insurance Agency starting as a licensed agent/CSR in 1981 and as owner in 1993 when she and her colleague, Lori Harrington, purchased the agency from Dale Van Dort.

Nancy has gained a broad knowledge of all lines of insurance over the years.  She loves problem solving and helping clients. “I am so happy to be a part of Smith & Eddy. Not only do I have more markets to offer my clients, I also have a great support staff to carry on the legacy that was built by Dale, Lori & me.”

Nancy and her husband, Roger, have two grown daughters and two grandchildren. She loves walking her dog, kayaking, traveling & camping with her family as well as spending time at their cottage in Ludington.

Shelby was born and raised in Ludington and graduated from Mason County Central in 2011. She attended WSCC where she received her certificates in Medical Billing/Coding & Medical Office Assisting. She went on to work at a local optometrist’s office for 6 years as an ABOC Optician. Shelby joined Smith & Eddy Insurance in April 2019 and is a licensed agent for personal lines and life insurance.

Shelby and her husband Ase have two daughters- Carter & Charlee. In their spare time, they enjoy getting outside and taking advantage of what the area has to offer. Weekends are often spent camping, hunting/fishing, going for walks, riding the side by side, and boating on Hamlin Lake.

“I can honestly say I love coming to work each day here at Smith & Eddy. The devotion and care the team has towards helping their customers is truly inspiring and I’m so happy to be a part of it. I couldn’t imagine my roots being planted anywhere else, and I am so lucky to call this town home.”

I grew up on the NW side of Detroit. Moved to Mason County in February of 1978 as a Dental Hygienist. I feel so blessed to live and work in this area. I married Robert A. Smith in 1993 and was Secretary / Treasurer at Smith and Eddy Insurance. I received my Property and Casualty license in February 2014, my Life and Health License in February 2015. We have five children, and five grandchildren. I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I enjoy gardening, hiking/walking, kayaking the PM River, skiing, golfing and travelling. My passion is life and health insurance.