Matt Knizacky buys Scottville Farm Bureau Insurance office.

July 22, 2016
Matt Knizacky

Matt Knizacky

#MasonCountyBusiness #Scottville #ManisteeBusiness #Manistee

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

SCOTTVILLE — A familiar face to the Scottville business community has taken over the downtown Farm Bureau Insurance office. Matt Knizacky, who owns the Farm Bureau Insurance office in Manistee, recently purchased the Scottville office as well. He plans to operate both. Previous owner, Scott Shoup, has moved to a different position within Farm Bureau Insurance.

Matt has worked in insurance for 39 years. He has owned Matt Knizacky Farm Bureau Insurance Agency in Manistee for four years. Prior to that he worked as an insurance agent in Scottville, Ludington and Irons. Since starting his Manistee agency, he has become involved with several Manistee organizations. He also continues to be involved in Mason County organizations as well.

“Growing up in Free Soil, my family typically affiliated itself with Manistee,” Matt says. “That’s really given me a familiarity with the area. At the same time, I did grow up in Mason County and now live near Scottville. It gives me a unique perspective of being active in both of these great communities.”

Customers of the Scottville office will not notice a change in customer service. Jody Carlson, the office customer service representative and a licensed agent, will continue to be at the office, while Robin Girven will remain the CSR/agent in Manistee. The office hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., will remain the same at both offices as well. Matt said he will ultimately divide his time between the two locations.

Matt said he plans to expand services to the Scottville office in the future but customers will only see improvements.

“This has been a great opportunity to service two communities that I truly love,” Matt said. “Farm Bureau is a great company to be a part of. We offer all types of insurance policies for home, auto, recreation, life, business, and, of course, farm. In fact 50% of Farm Bureau Insurance’s business is still servicing the agriculture industry.”

Matt is involved in several community organizations including the Scottville Optimist Club (where he served as president in 2000 and has been a member for over 25 years), Ludington and Scottville Area Chamber of Commerce, Manistee Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, Mason County Central Educational Foundation board, and 100 Men Who Care of Manistee. When his kids were growing up he was active coaching baseball, basketball and soccer.

“These are just things that I do because I enjoy them,” he says. “I just think it’s important that when you live and work in a community that you contribute anyway you can.”

The Scottville office is located at 106 S. Main Street and can be reached at 231-757-2368. The Manistee office is located at 356 River Street and can be reached at 231-398-3000. Email Matt at mknizac@fbinsmi.com.

#MasonCountyPress

Eats