Being involved in the community is part of Matt Knizacky’s family values.

Matt Knizacky

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

MANISTEE — Matt Knizacky grew up in a large family on a farm just south of Free Soil. There, he was not only taught the value of hard on a farm but also the value of being part of the community. Today, as the Farm Bureau Insurance agent in Manistee, he continues that sense of hard work and sense of community.

“I have 11 siblings,” Matt says. “Growing up in a large family, we were just taught to be involved with the community. It was something my parents engrained in us. Several of my siblings are also involved in area organizations, schools and government.”

Matt was recently named the Manistee Chamber of Commerce 2015 Ambassador of the Year for his work in revitalizing the chamber’s annual rubber duck race. Matt, who lives in Mason County’s Amber Township, says he credits those efforts with his volunteer work with the Scottville rubber ducky race. The duck race raised money in 2015 for the chamber and the Manistee County Child Advocacy Center.

Matt 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.”

Matt is involved in several community organizations including the Manistee Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, Mason County Central Educational Foundation board, Scottville Optimist Club (where he served as president in 2000 and has been a member for over 25 years) 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.”