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Meet Our Staff

As our client, you will have a team of highly qualified professionals working for you to provide you with the best coverage for you, your family, or your business.  Building a long-lasting relationship with our clients is our number one priority.

Gary M. Simpson

Gary M. Simpson

Principal Agent/Owner
Chris Simpson

Chris Simpson

Associate Agent

Chris is born and raised in Charles County and currently resides in La Plata. He is a graduate of McDonough High School, The College of Southern Maryland, and Salisbury University. After graduating from Salisbury he joined Community Bank of the Chesapeake in their commercial banking division. Chris joined Simpson’s Olde Towne Insurance in 2016 and primarily focuses on Commercial, Personal, and Life insurance sales.

Chris is very active in the community being a former President of the Charles County Rotary and a current board member of the Charles Regional Medical Center Foundation.

In his free time, Chris enjoys playing golf and attending Maryland football and basketball games with his family. Chris is currently planning a December wedding this year with his fiancé, Erin.

Matt Laidley

Associate Agent

Matt is a native Marylander who moved to LaPlata in 2003 after retiring from the United States Navy after 22 years of active duty service. He is a graduate of Anne Arundel Community College. Matt joined Simpson’s Olde Towne Insurance in 2009 and primarily focuses on Personal and Life insurance sales.

Matt was ordained as a Permanent Deacon in the Roman Catholic Church in 2019 and is assigned to Sacred Heart Catholic Church in LaPlata, MD.

Matt is married with four daughters and eight grandkids. In what little free time he has he enjoys cycling to keep in shape and has completed four 100 miles (Century) bike rides over the last six years.

Janine Mohler

Associate Agent, Certified Insurance Service Representative

CISR – Certified Insurance Service Representative – Personal and Commercial Lines

Janine also known as “Ginger” moved to Port Tobacco, MD in 1975. After graduating from La Plata High School in 1979 she started working in the Insurance Industry while attending the College of Southern Maryland. Janine worked for over 34 years as an agent for King E Adkins Insurance. While working in commercial and personal lines servicing she obtained her Property and Casualty license in 1986. In 1991 she earned her Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) designation. She also obtained her Notary commission in 1991.

Janine has been married to her husband Doug for 36 years. Together Doug and Janine have a son Hunter and daughter-in-law Caitlin Marie who are expecting their first child in August of 2022.

In her spare time, Janine is an avid walker and loves to watch her son play baseball. Janine is looking forward to being a “NANA”.

Dawn Merchant

Associate Agent & Customer Service Representative

Dawn is a graduate of the University of Maryland University College. She obtained her Property and Casualty Insurance License in 1989. Dawn started in the insurance industry working for her father who was an agent with another carrier after graduating high school and working on her degree in Business Management. Upon her father’s retirement, she went to work in the title business but missed the insurance business and joined Simpson’s Olde Towne Insurance in 2017. Her focus is on personal lines and customer service.

Dawn currently resides in Mechanicsville with her husband and two daughters. In her free time, Dawn enjoys camping, traveling, and making memories with her family and friends.

Taylor Kiessling

Customer Service Representative

Taylor joined Simpson’s Olde Towne Insurance in 2022. She is a graduate of La Plata High School, College of Southern Maryland, and University of Maryland.

She resides in La Plata with her husband Jake and their baby girl. In her free time Taylor enjoys spending time on the water boating with her family and friends.

Linda Bennett Headshot

Linda Bennett

Associate Agent, Certified Insurance Service Representative

Linda lives in Southern Maryland, she graduated from La Plata High School in 1981. Linda started her insurance career in Annapolis MD in 1985, she left the insurance industry in 1992 to be a stay-at-home mom.

When Linda returned to the workforce, she obtained her Maryland Real Estate License working for a local real estate appraisal firm for 8 years before deciding to return to the insurance industry.

Linda obtained her Property and Casualty Insurance license in 2002. She has earned her Certified Insurance Representative (CISR) designation in 2008 and Personal Lines Coverage Specialist designation (PLCS) in 2010.

Linda’s previous insurance industry experience consists of managing all phases of personal lines sales, representing a full line of insurance personal lines products, and serving as a trusted advisor to businesses and individuals.

Linda spends her free time with her two children, five grandchildren, bike riding, reading and cooking.