Peter Smith, a Republican and his brother Fred Smith, a Democrat (the Smith Brothers) founded the agency in 1896. According to the Adams Historical Society, both had previously served as Postmaster in the town of Adams. They were active community members, a trait that has held true with all of the owners since then.
In 1938 Charles Reid and Richard O’Brien bought an interest in the business and incorporated it.
In the meantime, the McAndrews Insurance Agency had been started by former State Senator James McAndrews in 1937.
In 1962, Michael McAndrews, then owner of the McAndrews Agency, and nephew of James McAndrews, merged his agency with Smith Brothers to form Smith Bros.-McAndrews Insurance Agency. Michael’s son Bruce McAndrews joined the agency in 1975 and became a partner in the business.
Bernie Pinsonnault, a long-time banker in town, joined the firm in 1990. He became the sole owner in 2007 and remained active with the local hospital, the Adams Lions Club, Berkshire Housing and the Adams Retirement Board.
In 2011 Dave Bissaillon joined the agency. He became owner and president upon Pinsonnault’s retirement at the end of 2018. Bissaillon, the former President & CEO of the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce has also been long active in local community work. He currently chairs the Plunkett Nominee Trustees and is a board member of ProAdams.