Meet the Team

Hello, my name is Gary Smith and I am the proud owner of the Gary Smith Agency. My father started this business in 1970, and it remains a family-owned business with customer service as our number one goal. I began working at my father's agency at the early age of 14. Our primary focus was homeowners' and auto insurance; this was before the age of computers. I vividly remember submitting applications and keeping the carbon copy to ensure they were issued correctly or for reference in case of claims issues.

The world of insurance has always fascinated me. I recall a question my Uncle Brent asked me as a young man entering the industry. He inquired, "What makes the world go around, oil or insurance?" I confidently responded, "Oil," but he corrected me, stating that there is no oil without insurance. You cannot extract or transport oil without insurance. While oil may be replaced one day, we will always need insurance. Thus, insurance is what truly makes the world go around. This answer has stayed with me throughout my life's journey.

At the age of 21, with my uncle’s words echoing in my mind, I obtained my insurance license in Florida. However, I desired a different path than my father's, so I ventured into the corporate world of health insurance for ten years. In my early thirties, I left the corporate world, returned to Pascagoula, and joined my father's business. It soon became apparent that while I did not enjoy homeowners' and auto insurance, I had a passion for Medicare and quickly developed a strong affinity for assisting seniors. By this time, my father was ready to retire and sell the business. I encouraged him to sell the business for his retirement but to transfer the name, Gary Smith Agency, to me to preserve the legacy.

I embarked on this new journey with a dream but without any customers. For the initial few years, I painted houses on the side to make ends meet. I won't deny that it was extremely challenging, and I almost considered giving up, even contemplating returning to school at night to pursue a degree in Medicine. However, it seemed that Hurricane Katrina had a different plan for me. Wiliam Carey University's campus, situated on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, was swept away, along with my medical aspirations. With my future uncertain, I decided to focus on Medicare with a dedication to helping seniors, and remarkably, the phone began to ring.

I dedicated myself to education and providing much-needed guidance through the complex web of Medicare and Social Security, coupled with an unwavering commitment to customer service. It worked, and the phones continued to ring. Today, the phone still rings with seniors seeking assistance with their Medicare, and we are deeply grateful for each one. In 2022, we updated our name and logo to reflect our passion and commitment to Medicare, becoming the Gary Smith Medicare Agency. When you hear the words, "We put the CARE in Medicare," understand that it is not simply a catchphrase but a deeply held belief in our desire to assist people with their Medicare needs.

Almost twenty years later, I am fortunate to lead thirteen dedicated employees who are committed to helping others on their Medicare journey. I consider them part of my work family. My home family begins with my ideal partner, Michelle, and our cherished son, James David. My son and wife remind me each day of life's essential values: Faith, Family, and Work. Every day, I strive to make a difference in the lives of my employees and our clients. When the day comes to an end, the number of people we have helped is all that truly matters.