Serving the Belleville Area Since 1945

Joseph E. Harnist II

President

Having grown up in the insurance business, Joe Harnist has been involved with all aspects of the agency. A graduate of Wentworth Military Academy, he continued his education at the University of Kansas and Southern Illinois University until joining the family business in 1975. He attended the agents school at the home office of CGU Insurance in Boston, MA. As a scholarship recipient, he attended the Professional Insurance Agents school for agents in Oberlin, OH.

Committed to the community, Mr. Harnist has served as president of the Belleville Jaycees and was honored with a life membership with that organization. He is also a member of the Ainad Temple Shriners, and Masonic Lodge #24. He served as the outdoor coordinator for Boy Scout Troop 40 for 5 years. Joe is also a charter committe member with Art on the Square and continues his involvement today. He currently serves as a board member of the St. Clair County Historical Society.

A lifelong resident of Belleville, Joe and his wife reside in the east end of town. Their son Joe III has joined the agency and also resides in Belleville.

Joe Harnist III

Agent

We welcome the newest member and third generation to the team. Joe graduated from the University of Missouri, Columbia with a degree in banking and finance. He has spent the last 10 years in the mortgage business in both Kansas City, MO, and San Diego, CA.  Joe enjoyed sports growing up including hockey while in high school. In his Scouting career he earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He still enjoys hockey in an occasional pickup game, and likes an afternoon motorcycle ride weather permitting. Joe has his license for property casualty and life and health for Illinois. He has recently completed a commercial training class at the home office of Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance.

Phillip G. Elmore, LUTCF

Agent

Born and raised in Belleville, Phil has been in the insurance business since 1986. In 1990 he earned the “Life Underwriters Training Council Fellowship” (LUTCF). Phil joined the Harnist Agency in 1994 as a sales representative. He continues his education with various courses throughout the year.

Phil has been active in the community in the past, chairing the Jaycees Deutschfest on the square and as a vice president of that organization. He was previously a member of the Optimists and East Side Life Underwriters. He enjoys sports and was formerly an IHSA umpire. He founded and chaired the Tour De’Belleville night time bike riding event. Phil ran and was elected alderman for the City of Belleville in 2009 and again in 2014. Phil and his family reside in the east end of Belleville. His wife Barb is a teacher, son Brock and his wife recently blessed Phil and his wife with a new granddaughter, and his twins Stephen & Nicole keep him particularly busy.