Meet Tropolis

The leading  partnership of interconnected local insurance agencies.

Our mission

Our mission is to be the leading partnership of interconnected local insurance agencies with shared ownership, state-of-the-art technology and services, and deep and meaningful connections to our communities.

Our values

‍We believe that adopting a common set of corporate values is not merely a formal or ceremonial undertaking; it is a strategic imperative for companies looking to thrive in today’s dynamic and diverse market environment.

Our values are actively promoted, lived, and reinforced by everyone within Tropolis, from top leadership to entry-level employees. We believe that through consistent application and reinforcement, our values become ingrained in the company’s DNA, influencing behavior, decision-making, and overall corporate identity.

Integrity

Integrity is the cornerstone of everything we do. We act honestly, fairly, and consistently in all our dealings. This value is non-negotiable. With integrity at our core, we ensure that our actions align with our words, building trust among our clients, partners, and employees.

Ownership

Our agency partners are all owners. We are committed to employee ownership and success. Ownership also means accountability to each other and to our families, communities, employees, and clients.

Leadership

Our agency partners govern and are leaders in their communities. Leadership also means that we lead in sales growth, client success, employee satisfaction, and the quality of our products and services.

Service

Through diligent service, we foster a climate where enterprise, innovation, and hard work lead to success. We all serve each other. We are in business to serve our clients, employees, and communities.

Our leadership team

jeff-mason
Jeff Mason, CEO and Co-founder
Jeff is co-founder and CEO of Tropolis. He is widely recognized for his leadership as the founder and CEO of the leading insurtech company Groundspeed Analytics which served global clients like Aon, Willis, Lockton, Travelers, Hartford, and Liberty Mutual. Groundspeed was acquired by Two Sigma in 2023. Prior to his role at Groundspeed Analytics, Jeff served as partner and Senior Vice President at Chelsea Rhone / HealthCap, a leading MGA/MGU and captive manager in the commercial specialty insurance space. Jeff holds an MBA from the University of Michigan with high distinction, and a BA in Economics from the Eli Broad School of Business at Michigan State University. With over two decades of experience in the insurance industry, Jeff possesses a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities of independent agents, and a passion for using innovative technologies to transform insurance operations.
jeff-mason
JIM RYANS, CFO and Co-founder
Jim is co-founder and the CFO of Tropolis. He has broad experience across the financial services, accounting, and insurance industries. Jim has been a Partner and the CFO at Social Capital, an investor in a wide range of companies at all stages of their development, from seed-stage incubations to publicly-traded firms. In this role he has served on numerous boards of directors and has advised a number of fintech and insurtech innovators. Prior to Social Capital, Jim was a professor of accounting at London Business school where he was recognized for teaching and research excellence, including leading the Mergers and Acquisitions executive education program.  Jim began his career at Deloitte & Touche and was then the Director of Investments at Chelsea Rhone/HealthCap. Jim has a bachelor of engineering from the University of Waterloo, an MBA from the University of Michigan, and a PhD from the University of California at Berkeley.
ben-calnin
Ben CAlnin, CTO and Co-founder
Ben is co-founder and CTO of Tropolis. He is a respected figure in the field of data analytics known for his strategic mindset, exceptional technical acumen, and ability to translate complex concepts into practical application. Ben's leadership and guidance have helped organizations transform their data into valuable assets, enabling data-driven decision-making and optimizing operational efficiency.

Previously, Ben co-founded Dynamo Metrics, a startup specializing in advanced data analytics in the municipal sector. As CTO, he developed sophisticated algorithms and predictive models that provided valuable insights on the economic impact of policy decisions. After an acquisition by Munetrix, a leading provider of financial and analytics software in the municipal and education sectors, Ben joined as technology lead and oversaw product development that doubled sales velocity.

Proud supporters of independent insurance agencies. 

Big I Michigan
Illinois Independent Agency Association

Interested? Meet with us to see if your agency is a good fit.

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