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.”

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.”

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.

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.

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!”

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.

Kathy was raised in Oceana County and graduated from Hart High School. After graduation she attended WSCC and earned an Associates Degree. Kathy has been in the insurance industry since 1990, becoming a licensed Property & Casualty agent in 1999. She was co-owner of Depot Insurance Agency, LLC in Hart from 2006 until late 2024 when she became part of the Smith & Eddy Team. Her primary focus is Personal Lines insurance.

Kathy and her husband Dave have been fortunate to have raised their now-grown sons in Hart, and were active with the Hart Booster Club & 4H during those years. In her spare time, she enjoys camping, golfing, long walks, and especially spending time with her 2 granddaughters.

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.

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.

Bryce is a graduate of Belmont Senior Secondary School in Victoria, Canada, and went on to pursue his academic and athletic baseball career at Williston State College in North Dakota. Following his Associate's degree, he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Management with a Minor in Economics from Cleary University in Michigan. He joined the Smith & Eddy team in July 2024.

Since relocating to the area, Bryce has become actively involved in the community, participating in the Scottville Optimist Club and engaging in the Leadership Mason County Cohort through the Chamber Alliance of Mason County in 2025.

Outside of work, Bryce enjoys playing baseball, hockey, and golf. He is also passionate about hunting, fishing, attending sporting events, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Dan was born and raised in Shelby. He graduated from Shelby High School, attended Muskegon Business College, and received an Associate's degree at Ferris State College, majoring in their Business Insurance program. He later moved to Minneapolis for employment, married, and raised a family in the Minneapolis suburb of Maple Grove. The family moved back to New Era in the summer of 2001 to run an insurance agency in Pentwater. When that agency sold in December 2021, he spent the next two seasons managing a local golf course pro shop. 

Dan joined the Smith & Eddy agency in December 2023 to apply his many years of experience in customer service and as a licensed agent. He is experienced in Personal, Life, and Commercial lines. His wife, Annie, owns and operates her own payroll and bookkeeping service from their home, while also assisting with their 3 grandchildren’s taxi service. 

Dan enjoys fishing on Lake St. Clair, in Minnesota and Northwest Ontario, and especially loves chasing muskies. Other interests include golf, Minnesota Twins baseball, bowling, and the beauty of West Michigan sunsets, courtesy of God's paintbrush.

Lydia was born and raised here in Mason County. She grew up on a family-owned dairy farm that has been passed down for generations. She graduated from Mason County Eastern in 2021 and participated in the National Honor Society, 4-H, West Michigan Livestock Council, and Youth Advisory Council throughout high school. 

Lydia joined the Smith & Eddy team in April 2024. She enjoys spending time with her family and animals, specifically her three dogs and horses. She is active in horse riding and barrel racing throughout Michigan. When not working, riding, or racing, she trims horses and helps educate younger kids in the horse industry by showing them how to ride and maintain their horses. She is an active member of the coaching staff for the Mason County Eastern Equestrian Team.

Ellen was born and raised in Manistee and graduated from Manistee High School in 2014. She has worked in the customer service industry since, with the last six years spent at the local Ford dealership. This experience has provided her with a solid background as she transitions into the insurance industry as one of the newest members of our team.

In November 2024, Ellen married her husband, Adam, and they are enjoying their life together in Manistee. They love exploring Northern Michigan, supporting the Detroit Lions, spending days at the beach, and enjoying their free time with family and friends.

Shelly was raised, and currently resides, in Manistee, MI. For over 30 years she worked at and eventually owned Duchon Insurance, which she merged with Smith & Eddy's Manistee and Bear Lake locations in January of 2024. In addition to her professional achievements, Shelly coached girls' basketball at Manistee High School for 25 years. She is a former basketball player who competed at Central Michigan University. In her free time, Shelly enjoys sports and spending time with her children.

Connie was born and raised in Bear Lake. She graduated from BLHS in 1984 and attended West Shore Community College and Green Country Tech in Okmulgee, OK, receiving her Medical Billing/Coding Certification. She worked at BL Insurance for 14 years and joined Smith & Eddy in 2023. 

Connie and her husband, Joe, have been married for 35 years and have 2 children, both of whom are also married. They look forward to grandchildren and enjoy time with family, the outdoors, traveling, and just being together.

Jen was born in Mt. Pleasant, MI moving 11 times before her family planted roots in an old farmhouse in Bear Lake, MI. Her dad became a farmer and State Farm agent and this is where her journey as an agent began. During the summers, she would help file paperwork, get postcards ready to mail, and clean the office when she wasn't participating in 4-H, cheerleading, and softball. At the age of 18, she started working for her dad in the insurance industry, becoming a licensed agent in 2003.

Jen worked for her dad from 1993 until he retired in 2007. From 2007-2001, she was a floating agent for Farm Bureau where she would cover offices when needed. In 2011, only after Jen persistently hounded Shelly at Duchon Insurance, Shelly gave her a job. Jen and Shelly spent the next 13 years growing Duchon Insurance and becoming best friends. 

Jen joined the Smith & Eddy team in January, 2024 when Shelly decided to merge with Smith & Eddy. In the summertime you will find Jen on the boat fishing and soaking up the sun with her husband, Mark, kids, and grandkids. Mark and Jen met in high school and married in 1994. They have 4 children; Christian, Alyssa, Bradley, and Trinity, and 4 grandchildren. In her spare time, Jen enjoys spending time with her family fishing, hunting, baking, and crafting.

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.

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.