Charles M. Smith, the firm's founder, graduated from Amherst College in 1959. Shortly after graduation, the ambitious Boston native started a career as an accident and health-underwriting trainee at Travelers Insurance Company in Hartford. After serving six years with the company, Smith joined Benjamin, Connor & Walker, a local insurance firm specializing in property and casualty insurance. He was brought on to introduce a life and health insurance division, and quickly rose to the challenge. In the early 1970s, Benjamin, Connor & Walker was purchased by Fred S. James and Company, a large national firm. After serving the local community for many years, Smith realized that a large firm was not his style, and it was time to make some changes.
On New Year's day 1974, Smith formed a firm in his home, with a shingle bearing his name. As the Agency prospered, new offices were needed to accommodate the growing firm. The C.M. Smith Agency moved to Hebron Avenue in Glastonbury, where it remained for several years. In 1983, the firm rehabbed the historic former Glastonbury Second District school building at 2252 Main Street. Since then, the firm has grown significantly and is now located at 100 Western Boulevard in Glastonbury.
On January 1, 1995, the firm's 21st anniversary, long-time employees John O' Connell and Baxter (Bret) Maffett purchased the company from Smith. At that time there were 11 employees. Today (2011) there are 36 employees. Upon Charlie Smith's retirement, John O'Connell took the position of overseeing the Employee Benefits division and Bret Maffett took the role of managing the Insurance and Retirement Services division.
The C.M. Smith Agency continues to be a leader in Connecticut's insurance marketplace. For example, C.M. Smith's Employee Benefit clients represent over 50,000 employees and over $400 million in annual premium. On the retirement planning side, C.M. Smith assists our clients in the service and administration of over $500 million of assets as of 12/31/2010.
The Agency is well suited to assist large employers, as it has established licenses in multiple states. In fact, C.M. Smith holds insurance licenses in 43 states outside of Connecticut, including California, Florida, Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania.
The cornerstone of the firm was created from three words: Expertise, Integrity and Credibility. These simple powerful words are more than a philosophy...they are the basis for a long-term commitment extended to every C.M. Smith client. This commitment, in turn, has established the Agency and its leaders with a sterling reputation in the business community.