www.comstockparkdda.org • Spring - April 2025
Clark Insurance celebrates 50 years
Kevin Clark with his father Larry Clark in 2018. Larry founded the company in Comstock Park 50 years ago.
CLARK AGENCY CELEBRATES 50 YEARS IN COMSTOCK PARK For Clark Agency owner Kevin Clark, every day is a celebration, and he feels very grateful to be able to help people save money and insure their future. “We have clients that care and we care about the clients,” said Clark. Clark Agency specializes in home, auto, business, farm and life insurance products. This year will be an important milestone for Clark Agency – celebrat-
Kevin Clark, owner of the Clark Agency in Comstock Park, at their West River Drive location. The company moved from 3979 West River Drive to 4658 West River Drive (formerly DreamMaker) in 2020. ing 50 years in Comstock Park. The Farm Bureau agency was previously located at 3979 West River Drive and moved to 4658 West River Drive (formerly DreamMaker) in 2020. The Clark Agency was founded by Clark’s late father, Larry Clark in 1975. “Many clients started with us in the 1970s. We’ve gotten to know them, their families and now their kids and grandkids,” Clark said. As a young father Larry was working three
different jobs to support his family. Farm Bureau saw him as an ambitious, driven young man and tapped him to lead a Farm Bureau agency in Comstock Park. “It was the perfect career choice for him, He had such a big heart and cared so much. He was a relationship person – he loved people,” Clark said. Larry worked tirelessly to build his career from the ground up and through long hours and face-toface meetings. Larry ran Clark agency for 42.5 years up until 2016 before he passed away in 2019.
FARM BUREAU ADVANTAGES There are many advantages to being a Farm Bureau agency, a Michigan-based company with more than 400 agencies across the state. “Farm Bureau serves to be a best friend on each client’s worst day,” Clark said. “They work only in Michigan – they know the market yet are small enough to get things done.” Clark Agency offers personalized service where clients can work with someone local as opposed
to a call center,” Clark said Clark Agency currently has three employees. Rates have been stable and haven’t fluctuated. “We do what we say, and say what we do,” he said. Many of Clark Agency’s 10,000 clients are from the Comstock Park area who appreciate being able to do business locally. After the 2023 tornado Clark Agency worked quickly to replace 50 roofs for affected residents. Farm Bureau awarded Clark Agency its Blue Ribbon designation for leadership in customer service. LESSONS FROM FATHER
ECRWSS POSTAL CUSTOMER
Clark Agency founder Larry Clark in 1978.
At the age of 26, married with a baby on the way, Kevin joined his father at Clark Agency in 2004 He said his father taught him the importance of always telling the truth and being straightforward in all dealings. He taught him that success does not come without effort -- focus on goals, manage time effectively and stick to principles even when challenging.
“Hard work, dedication and perseverance are key to achieving long-term goals and overcoming obstacles. It’s about the satisfaction derived from knowing you’ve given your all,” Clark said. Clark admits to challenges of taking over a family business. He said his father’s reputation for exceptional service set a high bar. “There’s the pressure to not only maintain but potentially exceed these standards. This can create stress and the fear of letting down not just family but also long-term clients who have come to expect a certain level of service,” Clark said. Comparisons made by employees and clients required him to prove his own capabilities independently of his father’s reputation. Clark worked hard to establish his own reputation by knocking on doors, visiting farms, sending out mailings and putting in late nights too build his clientele. Clark grew up and lives in Rockford – he and his wife Brandi have two children ages 17 and 19. By Karen Gentry