Meet Mary Smith
Current Role
Mary Smith is a 34 year veteran of the insurance industry having worked as a home office employee, sales agent, agency manager, corporate executive and business owner.
In 2006 Mary and her husband, Charlie, opened The Cumberland Financial Group LLC located in St. Marys, Georgia. The firm's mission is to help clients make informed financial decisions as they prepare for the future.
Educational Background
Mary is a graduate of Thornridge High School in Dalton, Illinois. She entered the insurance industry with Traveler's Insurance Company in 1973 and became a diligent student of the business. Her commitment to excellence led her to pursue formal studies at Palm Beach Community College, The Professional Insurance Agent's Association, The Life Underwriter's Training Council and the Independent Insurance Agents Association. In 1995 Mary also completed the requirements for the prestigious Certified Insurance Counselor designation.
In 1998 Northwood University recognized Mary's inspiring career and her success as an independent, entrepreneurial business owner by awarding her an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree.
Professional Highlights
Following graduation from high school Mary married her high school sweethart. She soon became a full time housewife and stay-at-home mom. In 1973 the family relocated to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Financial challenges the following year led Mary to apply for a position as a corporate trainee with The Traveler's Insurance Company. Her talents were recognized and she excelled rapidly and was offered a sales position with a local independent agency. In 1979 the family moved to West Palm Beach and Mary affiliated with the D.R. Mead Agency. When the agency was bought by John F. Curry, a 75 year old New York City property and casualty agency, Mary was named Agency Manager. Two years later she was promoted to Vice President and Director of Florida Operations for the firm.
Her husband died of lung cancer in 1985 leaving Mary with four small children. Within months of his death, Mary was offered an opportunity to purchase the Curry Agency's Florida operations. In February of 1986 the transaction was completed and Mary became the President and Owner of an agency that would bear her name, The Wojtusik-Smith Agency.
Durning the next twelve years the agency's in-force premium quadrupled. In July of 1998 Mary's husband, Charlie, accepted an industry position in Washington, D.C. and Mary sold the agency to accompany him in his new position.
Following her husband's retirement the couple moved to St. Marys, Georgia in 2006. This move allowed Mary and Charlie to create a new venture, The Cumberland Financial Group LLC, merging their complementary skills for the first time.
Community Involvement
Mary's community service is extensive. She served as President of the Palm Beach Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners, as a member of the Board of Directors of the City Club of the Palm Beaches and as chair of the membership committee for five years. Mary was a frequent lecturer for the Crossroads Program at Palm Beach Community College and served on the organization's Advisory Board. She is founding board member of Alpha Care, a crisis pregnancy center in West Palm Beach and continues to serve on the Board of Directors of the Drug Abuse Treatment Association.
Mary was also acitve in the Professional Insurance Agents Association of Florida serving on the State Board as Education Chair.
Mary is a recent graduate of the Leadership Camden Program and currently chairs the Leadership Alumni Committee. She is also an Advisory Board Member for the Coastal Medical Access Program (CMAP).
Honors and Awards
Mary was Chosen as Agent of the Year in 1986 by the Independent Insurance Agents of Palm Beach and as Business Woman of the Year in 1989.
Mary is a member of the Board of Governors of Northwood University. She is credited with founding and leading the University's popular Success Series for many years. This program has raised over $100,000 for the University.
In 1998 Northwood University bestowed an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree on Mary in recognition of her distinguished business career and her significant contributions to the University.
Affiliations
The National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research
Camden County Chamber of Commerce
Leadership Camden County
Navy League
First Presbyterian Church of St. Marys
Family
Mary and her husband Charlie have six children and thirteen grand-children.
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