President and CEO Kurt Carlson is responsible for the overall operations and business affairs of the company. Kurt began his career as an underwriter, and developed a wide range of expertise, including manufacturing & processing, distribution, foreign and professional liability, settling business income claims, pollution, banker’s bonds, errors and omissions, director’s and officer’s liability, crime, and employment practices liability. Kurt joined the agency in 1989, and served as a Commercial Sales Specialist, Sales Manager, Senior Vice President, Executive Vice President, and COO prior to being named CEO in 2007.

As a partner in Propel, Kurt is especially proud of the agency’s legacy of independence.

“Independence is our greatest strength. It’s the key to our ability to attract and retain the most motivated and most entrepreneurial associates — professionals who are committed to providing innovative solutions to our customers day-in and day-out.”

ON HELPING CLIENTS FIND THEIR MOMENTUM
“We see ourselves as educators and facilitators,” Kurt explains. “That means we listen more than we talk and think of our clients first, second and always. Doing the right thing for a client means the insurance design is about them — not us. We believe the best outcome for any customer is that they understand their plan design.”

ON WHAT MAKES PROPEL BETTER
“As an independent agency, we have a business owner’s mindset,” says Kurt. “That means we share many of the same business issues our clients are dealing with. That unique perspective allows us to relate to their concerns more directly. Ultimately, I think it makes us a better business partner to our clients.”

PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION
Kurt holds the insurance industry’s highest designation, CPCU (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter). He’s a member of the prestigious YPO (Young Presidents Organization), and recently attended the YPO Harvard President’s Seminar — a stimulating week of collaboration and learning which brings together business leaders from 33 countries.

IN HIS FREE TIME
Kurt likes to play tennis, fly-fish, ski, and listen to music (mostly rock). He has a large collection of vinyl LP’s, loves to attend live music events, and dreams of fast cars.