Ci Insurance Rensselaer Indiana — A Family-Owned Independent Agency Since 1953
From military service to legal service
Three generations. One agency. Seventy years of showing up for the people and communities of Northwest Indiana.
Three Offices. One Family. Seventy Years in This Community.
Ci Insurance was founded in Rensselaer, Indiana in 1953. What started as a single office built on relationships and local trust has grown into a three-office independent agency serving Jasper County, Lake County, and clients licensed across Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan.
Today, the agency is in its third generation of family ownership. That continuity isn't incidental — it's the foundation of how we work. The same values that built this agency in 1953 are what guide every coverage conversation, every claim, and every renewal today.
We were here before most of our clients were born. We expect to be here for the next generation, too.
Independent. And That Means Something.
As an independent insurance agency in Jasper County, we work for our clients — not for any single insurance company.
We hold contracts with multiple carriers, which means we can shop coverage and price across the market at every renewal. We're not locked into one company's products or one company's pricing. When your situation changes — a new home, a growing business, a farm operation that's expanded — we look at what the market offers and recommend what fits, not just what's available from a single source.
When you have a claim, you want someone who is going to advocate for a fair outcome on your behalf. That's what an independent agent does. Our loyalty is to the people we insure — full stop.
- We represent multiple carriers across personal, commercial, and farm lines
- We compare coverage and price at every renewal, not just at the start
- We advocate for you during the claims process
- We are not compensated to steer you toward a specific carrier
Michael Smith
219-866-5129
Mike started with Consolidated Insurance in 1974 by working with his father who founded the agency. In 1978 he became President and 11 years later became the sole stockholder. Mike received his Certified Insurance Counselor designation in 1981. He completed courses in the American College CLU and CHFC studies and numerous other professional developmental courses. He received his Series 6 and 63 Securities license in 1995. In addition to being in the insurance industry for decades Mike has also been in governmental relations and a State Legislator. He served as an Indiana State Representative from 1993 to 2002, including a position as floor leader. From 2002 to 2015 he was the President and CEO of the Casino Association of Indiana. During his professional career he has also been a licensed Real Estate Broker, Farm Manager and horse breeder and trainer.
Mike has won several prestigious awards including the Government Leader of the Year in 1995 from the Indiana State Chamber of Commerce. He was also the Indiana Small Business Council Legislator of the Year. He received recognition from the National Rifle Association in 1996 as a Defender or Freedom and Governor O’Bannon in 2002 awarded him the Sagamore of the Wabash. The Indiana Judges Association honored him with the Outstanding Support of the Judiciary award. Mike is a member of the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association, Experimental Aircraft Association, Prairie Lodge 125, Scottish Rite, Murat Shrine, United States Trotting Association, Columbia Club, and the American Legion Post 29. Mike is an avid pilot and has been flying for many years. He enjoys his free time flying as well as Martial Arts. He also loves spending time with his family and three grandchildren.
Mandy Pickering
219-866-5129
Mandy loves being a mom, wife and an Insurance Agent!
Mandy graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor’s Degree in 2001. After college she worked as a claims adjuster for Progressive Insurance in Indianapolis. In 2002 Mandy moved back home to Rensselaer with her husband Stace to start a family and work in the family business. Mandy specializes in personal lines insurance and handles claims for our agency. Mandy is licensed in both property & casualty insurance and life & health insurance. She is a people person and loves the interaction with our customers. Mandy’s greatest joy is her three beautiful children. She enjoys spending time with her family and loves her role as “soccer, baseball, basketball, and football mom”. Mandy is a member of Tri Kappa sorority, Saint Augustine PFA and is an active volunteer for our community.
Gretchen Smith
219-866-5129
Grandma, Golfer and Insurance Agent!
Gretchen has been with the family business since 1979 and is a licensed Property and Casualty Agent. She has been married to Michael Smith since 1974 and is the proud mother of two. Her daughter, Mandy, and her husband Stace also work for Ci Insurance and blessed her with three lovely grandchildren. (Pictures available upon request!!). Gretchen enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and playing golf.
Staceon Pickering, CIC
219-866-5129
Stace Pickering graduated from Purdue University in West Lafayette in 1998 with a Bachelors Degree. After college he worked in downtown Indianapolis as a investment advisor for a national investment firm. Stace moved to Rensselaer in 2002 with his wife Mandy Pickering whose parents, Mike and Gretchen Smith are lifetime residents and owners of Ci Insurance. Stace specializes in commercial insurance for businesses and public entities. He also does personal insurance such as home, auto, life and health insurance. He earned his Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) professional designation in 2012.
Stace is currently involved in many local community groups. He serves on the Board for the Jasper Foundation. He is the Treasurer for Main Street Rensselaer whose purpose is to enhance Rensselaer. Stace is also a Board Member and the Parade Chairman for the Little Cousin Jasper Festival. Lastly Stace is currently a Board Member for the Rensselaer Park Corporation and RBI Baseball. Stace is a member of the Saint Augustine Church and is an elected official with the Milroy Township of Jasper County . He enjoys his free time with his wife and 3 young children , volunteering as a youth sports coach, gardening, fishing, golf and family vacations.
Kathy Veld
219-987-2151
Grandma, Mom and Insurance Agent!
Kathy’s favorite title is “Emily’s & Landon’s Grandma” but she has also been married to her wonderful husband since 1976 and mom of three – two are married and one attends Purdue Veterinary College (go Boilers). Kathy has been a licensed property and casualty insurance agent since 1976 and has been with Consolidated for over 2 decades with most of them at our DeMotte location. She enjoys traveling, reading and music. Kathy’s favorite part of her job is satisfied customers.
Lisa Jennings-Houston
219-866-5129
Loves anything to do with water and being an Insurance Agent!
Lisa started her insurance career in 1997 and came to Consolidated Insurance happily in March of 2014. She is a licensed Property & Casualty Agent that specializes in personal lines such as home and auto insurance. Lisa is a certified life guard and CPR instructor and loves spending time swimming and teaching little kids to swim. She also teaches a water aerobics class. She enjoys her free time being on the beach and being with family.
Josh Smtih
Josh, keeps us on the leading edge of technology in his free time. His day job is the head of IT for Riveer Environmental. They make custom vehicle and equipment washing systems, hurricane simulators, and water treatment systems that can reclaim 80% of the water used during the washing/simulation processes. Their systems can be found on military bases all over the world, in Tesla and Rivian auto factories, and nearly every Sunbelt Rental location.
Sharon Fritts
Sharon started in the insurance industry in 1982 working part time and that quickly turned into full time. She is licensed in Property & Casualty. She is married to her wonderful husband, one awesome daughter, and a super grandson. Sharon loves camping with her family in the summer. She also enjoys gardening, traveling, and anything that includes game playing with her grandson!
Patricia Gainey
Patti just returned to Lowell Indiana, her home town, after spending the last 14 years in Florida working for State Farm. She has been in the insurance industry since 1985. She is the proud mother to 5 amazing children who have blessed her with 3 grandchildren with a 4th on the way. In her spare time she loves to watch her great nephews play sports, see her granddaughters recitals, shop for antiques and repurpose furniture.
John Bennett
John is the long time owner of Century Insurance and is a volunteer with many local community groups such as DeMotte Rotary and American Legion #440. Century Insurance merged with Consolidated Insurance in 2019 to form Ci Insurance. John has a wealth of knowledge and decades of insurance background in all lines of business.
Lori Courtney
219-987-2151
Lori lives in Rensselaer with her wonderful husband and two beautiful children. She started her insurance career in 2013 and is a licensed Property & Casualty Agent. She enjoys spending her free time with her friends and family. She’s looking forward to servicing the community with their insurance needs!
Chuck Mudd
Chuck Mudd is homegrown from right here in Northwest Indiana! He holds a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and has been a licensed Insurance Agent since 2005. Chuck is married and has 4 grown children along with 6 grandchildren. He and his wife, Gina, are very passionate about music and have played with numerous projects throughout the area, and are active in their church, Celebrate Recovery, and The Indiana Dunes Great Banquet where Chuck serves as Community Music Coordinator. An interesting fact outside of his insurance career is that Chuck has provided sound production for many events and bands locally as well as regional and national touring musicians. Chuck is also a member of the Railroads of Indiana trade group with the ultimate goal of short line railroad ownership. To say he likes a challenge is an understatement! Chuck serves with humility and excellence in all he does including the task of protecting clients with the best possible insurance coverage for them.
Camille "Cami" Geleott
219-866-5129
Camille is an alumna of Rensselaer Central High School and a proud graduate of Indiana University, where she earned her degree in May 2025. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, golfing, painting, and cheering on IU sports. GO Hoosiers!! Camille is excited to see familiar faces and make new connections.
Cheryl "Nikki" O'Brien
219-987-2151
nikki@ciinsurance.com
Nikki lives and works in our DeMotte office. She is a licensed Property and Casualty agent that can help you with all your insurance needs.
What the Community Says About Ci Insurance
What People Ask Before They Call Us
Who owns Ci Insurance in Rensselaer, Indiana?
Ci Insurance is a family-owned independent agency now in its third generation of ownership. The agency was founded in Rensselaer in 1953 and has operated continuously in Jasper County ever since.
How long has Ci Insurance been in business?
Ci Insurance has been in business since 1953 — over 70 years of continuous operation in Northwest Indiana.
What insurance carriers does Ci Insurance represent?
As an independent agency, Ci Insurance holds contracts with multiple carriers across personal, commercial, and farm lines. That means we can compare coverage and price across the market rather than being limited to one company's products. Specific carrier relationships are available upon request.
Is Ci Insurance licensed outside of Indiana?
Yes. Ci Insurance is licensed in Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan.
Recognized by the Community We Serve
Ci Insurance has been voted Best Insurance Agency in Jasper County six times. Stace Pickering has been voted Best Insurance Agent in Jasper County six times. These awards are determined by local voters — the same people who trust us with their homes, their businesses, and their farms.
We're proud of the recognition. We're more proud of what it represents: decades of clients who felt well-served and came back to say so.
Three Offices. One Set of Values.
Our offices in Rensselaer, DeMotte, and Lowell are staffed by agents who live in the communities they serve. We know the difference between a Jasper County farm operation and a Lake County commercial property because we've insured both — and because we've watched this region change over seven decades.
We're open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Walk-ins are welcome.