Smart Choice is proud to announce that Founder and Chairman of the Board Doug Witcher has been named a recipient of the prestigious Horatio Alger Award, one of the nation’s most distinguished honors recognizing exceptional leaders who have overcome adversity to achieve remarkable professional success and who demonstrate a deep, ongoing commitment to supporting others.
Presented by the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, the award is among the most respected recognitions of character and achievement in the United States. Since 1947, the Association has honored exceptional individuals across business, government, and civic leadership whose lives reflect perseverance, integrity, and service. Membership is exclusive and by invitation only, placing recipients in the company of some of the nation’s most accomplished and community-minded leaders.
Doug Witcher’s journey embodies the very spirit of the Horatio Alger Award. From humble beginnings to founding and building Smart Choice into one of the most respected insurance agency networks in the country, Doug’s story is defined by grit, determination, and a steadfast belief in opportunity. But what makes his story especially powerful is not simply what he has built—it is what he has given back.
Throughout his career, Doug has quietly and consistently invested millions of dollars into charitable causes, educational initiatives, and community organizations. His philanthropic efforts have supported youth development programs, scholarship opportunities, faith-based initiatives, healthcare causes, and local nonprofits that serve families in need. Doug has long believed that success carries responsibility—the responsibility to lift others, to create access, and to strengthen the communities that make business possible.
Beyond formal philanthropy, Doug’s impact is deeply personal. He has mentored entrepreneurs, invested in small businesses, supported local community development efforts, and provided resources to causes that align with his values of faith, family, and service. His generosity has never been about recognition; rather, it has been about stewardship—using success as a platform to create lasting, positive change.
The formal recognition ceremony will take place during the Horatio Alger Association’s 2026 Induction Ceremonies in Washington, D.C., this April, where Doug and his fellow honorees will be officially inducted. The event brings together Members, scholars, and national leaders to celebrate perseverance, leadership, and a lifelong commitment to service.
For everyone at Smart Choice, this award is both a celebration and a reflection of the values that define our organization. Doug Witcher’s leadership has always extended beyond business performance. It is rooted in resilience, generosity, and a genuine desire to help others succeed.