2025 Elton R. Smith Nominee

Earlier this year, Farm Bureau Insurance announced the three nominees for its highest honor, the Elton R. Smith Award. Congratulations to Denise Arnesen, Adam Korson, and Kelsey Starr. 

The Award is named in honor of the late Elton Smith, who served as president of Michigan. Farm Bureau and it's affiliated companies from 1964-‘86. For four of those 22 years, he was also Vice President of the American Farm Bureau Federation. 

This award is considered a “lifetime or career achievement” award and is intended to recognize the Farm Bureau Insurance Agent or managing partner who has exhibited the most consistent commitment to the success of Farm Bureau Insurance, Michigan Farm Bureau, the insurance industry, as well as their involvement in their community. 

Our agent nominees this year are each deserving of the award.

For over 16 years, Kelsey Starr has been serving the town of Monroe about 20 miles from the Michigan-Ohio border. “The part of my career I’m most proud of is being able to continue a family legacy and continue to build something that really matters...I love knowing that we are making a difference in people's lives and our community while also creating something our three boys can look at and be proud of. I want them to see that hard work, service, and doing the right  thing for people can build something lasting.” 

The Elton R. Smith Award will be awarded during the Multi-Line Marketing Sales Convention.
Congratulations to Denise Arnesen, Adam Korson, and Kelsey Starr.