Walon Smith attended the University of Georgia obtaining a degree in Agricultural Engineering in 1983. After 10 years in the electric utility industry, he began his insurance career in 1993 as an agent with Alfa Insurance Company. He spent 15 years with Alfa and received Agent of the Year awards for Georgia three separate times. He became a partner at HM Insurance in 2009 and built a team that led the agency to unprecedented growth. HM was named the Keystone Georgia Partner of the Year in 2018. Walon also holds a Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation and a Master Work Comp Advisor (MWCA) designation.

Walon is married to his college sweetheart Karen. They have two married daughters and three grandchildren. Walon is an elder at Longleaf Church and his hobbies include golf and UGA football.