About.

Decades of experience in protecting the assets you’ve worked hard to acquire.

Established in 1919

The Merle B. Grindle Agency is an employee owned independent insurance agency in Blue Hill, Maine. Since 1919, the Merle B. Grindle Agency has been providing personal and commercial insurance in Hancock County and throughout the state.

Our Goal

To provide peace of mind to our customers through sound insurance coverage and exceptional service, as exemplified in our core values of excellence, integrity and responsibility.   We strive to be the agency of choice for our customers and conduct our affairs consistent with the highest moral, legal and ethical standards.   We value our customers, employees and community and pledge to treat all with honesty, dignity, fairness and respect.

Our Team

Rob Clapp
President/ Owner

Rob joined The Merle B. Grindle Agency in 1979 as an employee and became part owner with Peter Dodge in 1987, growing the agency with Peter ever since. After Peter retired in 2015, Rob became the majority owner. His goal is to continue to provide great service and insurance advice, and to differentiate our agency from our competitors by building long term relationships with our customers. His direct email is [email protected]

Susan Smedal
Office Manager

Susan started her career with The Merle B. Grindle Agency in 1976 handling personal lines of insurance. Today she handles both personal and commercial insurance and is our office manager. Susan enjoys spending time with her family and spoiling her granddaughter as well as cooking, gardening, sewing, smocking and quilting. Her direct email is [email protected]

Sally McVay
​​Insurance Agent

Sally started with The Merle B. Grindle Agency in 1984. She writes and services commercial as well as personal accounts. In her spare time she enjoys spending time at camp with family. Her direct email is [email protected]

Janet Lymburner
​​Insurance Agent

Janet started with The Merle B. Grindle Agency in 1978 two weeks after graduating from George Stevens Academy. She writes and services personal and commercial insurance. She spends her free time with family and friends as well as traveling both home and abroad. Her direct email is [email protected]

Kathy Myrick
​​Insurance Agent

Kathy has been working in the insurance field since 1968 and joined The Merle B. Grindle Agency in 1988. She writes and services both personal and commercial insurance and has enjoyed building working relationships with her clients over the years. In her free time she enjoys walking 7 miles a day year round. Her direct email is [email protected]

Charlene Austin
​​Insurance Agent

Charlene started with The Merle B. Grindle Agency in 1998 and she writes and services both personal and commercial lines of insurance. She enjoys outdoor activities with her family and hiking with her springer spaniel, Henry. Her direct email is [email protected]

Etta Perkins
​​Receptionist & Claims

Etta started at The Merle B. Grindle Agency in 2021 after working at the Town of Blue Hill for 27 years. She is the voice you hear when you call, helps clients with payments and also guides them through the claims process.  Her direct email is [email protected]

John Chapman
​​Insurance Agent

John joined The Merle B. Grindle Agency in 2011 after 10 years working with ACE Recreational Marine Insurance in yacht loss control and claims. John works with commercial marine (lobster boats) and yachts as well as other personal and commercial lines coverage. Off hours, John is involved with the Blue Hill Fire Department, yachting, and spending time with his wife and two children. His direct email is [email protected]

Mark Clapp
​​Insurance Agent

Mark started with The Merle B. Grindle Agency in 2012 after working for State Farm Insurance for three years prior to that. He writes and services personal, commercial and life insurance. In his free time in the summer you will find him on the golf course. His direct email is [email protected] 

Taylor Hardy
Insurance Agent

Taylor joined the Merle B. Grindle Agency in 2023 and writes and services personal lines of insurance while also expanding her knowledge with commercial lines and life insurance. She was born and raised locally on Little Deer Isle alongside her four older sisters and now resides in Brooksville with her boyfriend and their dog, Phoebe. She enjoys fall most of all, and spending time with her family. Her direct email is [email protected]
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Aaron Hughey
​​Insurance Agent

Aaron joined the Merle B. Grindle Agency in 2024 and is a licensed personal, commercial, and life insurance producer. He is an Air Force veteran, with experience developing, producing, and maintaining military aircraft and munitions across the Department of Defense. He spends his free time coaching Blue Hill youth sports, chasing his four kids around, or exploring the woods of downeast Maine. His direct email is [email protected]

McKenzie Burgess
​​​​​Receptionist & Claims

207-374-2871

We're Here for You

Since our founding in 1919, our commitment has been to offer the highest quality insurance and protection to individuals and businesses and to be an active participant and a good neighbor in our community.   We are a locally owned and operated Blue Hill business, serving Hancock County and beyond.