Our Team

Your local leaders for full Health Insurance Planning needs, with over 25 years combined experience.

(All specialists licensed through the State of Michigan)

Curtis Hewitt, Co-Founder, Licensed Medicare Insurance Agent

Although I wasn't born in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, I proudly called it home for 48 of my 51 years. I graduated from Sault Area High School in 1989, where I had the privilege of playing varsity football, basketball, and baseball. Along with my amazing wife and four children, I share a deep love for the outdoors, which is one of the main reasons I cherish life in the UP.

After earning an Architectural Design degree from Lansing Community College in 1991, I went on to study Fire Science at Lake Superior State University. In 2014, I graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor's in Business Management from Colorado Technical University.

I believe strongly in giving back to my community. I've had the honor of serving as president of the local Woman’s Shelter and leading initiatives such as Start the Cycle, a mountain biking program for at-risk youth. My education and hands-on community involvement have equipped me to work with individuals from all walks of life, and I am passionate about making a positive impact wherever I can.

John Swanson, Co-founder, Licensed Medicare Insurance Agent

I was Born and raised in Marquette Michigan and Graduated from Marquette Senior High School in 1987. After high school I attended Northern Michigan University and majored in Finance and Marketing.

Currently I live in Little Lake Michigan with my wife Michelle Swanson and four children. All of our children are very active in school sports and keep Michelle and I very busy chasing them around from event to event. On the side for me I like to spend my time volunteering. In 2009 I joined the American Legion Post 349 in Little Lake Michigan as a Son of The American Legion. From 2011 to 2014 I was the commander of the Sons at Post 349. Currently as of this spring I now serve as the First Vice.

In 1998 I obtained my Michigan Life and Health License and have been practicing insurance ever since. Starting in 2004 my main focus of insurance expertise became assisting my clients with their health insurance and Medicare Planning needs.

Currently I assist small business owners, individuals, Medicare eligible individuals and seniors with their health and life insurance needs. I take pride in that I have a personal relationship with all my clients. I have never considered myself to be a high pressure sales person when it comes to my clients. My clients are happy to have an agent that they can call 7 days a week to answer any questions that they might have. My goal with each and every client that I serve is to educate them on their many different options and then assist them in the selection that best suits their insurance needs.

Dion Krysmalski, Licensed Medicare Insurance Agent

I have been working off and on in the insurance industry for the past 20 years selling health insurance. I joined HealthWise because of my desire to help people with their health care needs and strive to help you make the best decisions to meet your individual needs. Prior I owned a local and long distance moving and storage company helping people through one of the most stressful times in their lives. I am also a veteran of the first Gulf War where I served honorably with the United States Army’s famed 82nd Airborne Division as an infantryman and eventually as a squad leader. In my free time I like to spend time with my wife and two children.

My goal to provide you with the best information, options and service. By doing so you will feel comfortable and confident in recommending us to your friends and family when they are in need of health care planning. If at anytime you have questions or concerns, please contact us so we can address them and help you in your time of need.

Ben Smallidge, Health Insurance Specialist

Born from a third-generation builder, I previously was a licensed general contractor specializing in custom build projects for both residential and commercial clients in the greater Grand Blanc area. After the economic pull back in 2008, I changed careers and obtained my life, health and annuity licenses helping families with mortgage protection, Medicare, health and retirement planning.

I love the outdoors and am not a fan of “working from inside the office”. I joined the HealthWise team in January 2019 and I feel like I can be a great asset to the firm with my vast experience in the building and construction trades along with my experience in insurance. I met my wife in Minsk, Belarus and we have been happily married for over 10 years and live in Genesee County with our three wonderful children.

L. Elaine Hewitt, Licensed Medicare Insurance Agent

I was born and raised in Marquette Michigan. I moved out west for few years and returned to raise my family and be near my parents. I have four children who are all growing older and not needing me quite as much during the day. The youngest two are active in sports and music and the the older two are both in college. I have been working in marketing and design part time for over 20 years and really enjoy it. I also have been working in the elder care industry for the last 15 years and love working with the older community. I felt that Medicare planning would be a great fit as a next step, towards helping seniors. I was already helping my people sort through their Medicare questions before becoming an insurance agent, so I thought it would be an enjoyable fit for a new career. I am excited to help folks find the best healthcare based on their individual needs. I am looking forward to working with you.

Carrie Borman, Licensed Medicare Insurance Agent

Born and raised on the West Coast, my husband and I married young and were blessed with the opportunity to raise four wonderful children—two boys and two girls. Seeking a change from city life, we embraced a new adventure when my husband began working in the coal industry in Wyoming. Our two boys were born there, and we later moved to Colorado, where we enjoyed the fresh, beautiful Rocky Mountain air and welcomed our youngest daughter. However, the hills of Wyoming called us back, and after several years, we set our sights on new horizons in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

We quickly fell in love with Marquette, which offers the best of all the places we've lived. It’s been an even greater blessing to have our daughter, son-in-law, and their little family join us here when he was offered a job in the area. Now, with all of our children nearby, I have the joy of being a proud grandmother to two grandsons and one granddaughter. Having had my oldest child at a young age, I now get to experience the joys of being a young grandma—and I’m loving every moment of it!

In my free time, I enjoy hiking, kayaking, playing games, and pursuing my creative passions, such as playing the violin, sewing, cooking, baking, and refinishing furniture. My husband and I have remodeled several homes, both for ourselves and our family, and we take great satisfaction in transforming something old into something new.

Family is one of the most important aspects of my life. As some of my loved ones have reached Medicare age, I realized how little I knew about the next steps in their journey. This inspired me to learn more about the Medicare system, and I’ve found great fulfillment in helping others navigate it. I strongly believe that everyone deserves an advocate—especially as they get older—because healthcare options can be overwhelming and frustrating. With technology constantly evolving and plans changing rapidly, it’s essential to have someone who listens with compassion and explains things in a way that’s easy to understand.

I look forward to being that person for you!

Diego Rodriguez, Licensed Medicare Insurance Agent

Hello! My name is Diego Rodriguez and I am a dedicated independent health insurance agent committed to helping individuals and families navigate the complexities of healthcare coverage. With a passion for making healthcare accessible and understandable, I became an independent insurance agent to provide personalized solutions tailored to each client’s unique needs. My goal is to empower clients with the knowledge and options they need to make informed decisions about their health coverage.

When I’m not assisting clients, I enjoy spending quality time with my wife, Sade, and our two children. Whether it’s exploring local parks, having family movie nights, or embarking on weekend adventures, I cherish every moment with my family. My dedication to both my profession and my loved ones reflects my belief in the importance of health, happiness, and balance.