Where do I even start when it comes to AI in my agency?

In this weeks episode the Mayor talks with Dave Rose, an agency operator at Bolt and former Liberty Mutual and Travelers leader, about what independent agents can learn from captive carriers, how connected distribution works, and how agencies can start using AI without overhauling everything. Dave brings a practical, operator’s perspective from both the agency side and the tech side, with a focus on real-world implementation rather than hype.In this episode, they cover the process discipline of captive agencies, the power of referrals and centers of influence in the independent channel, and why AI adoption is more about solving specific pain points than chasing tools. They also preview Dave’s ITC session on building an AI-first agency plan in 30, 60, and 90 days.

Timestamps

00:00 — Intro, sponsors, and welcome to Dave Rose

08:24 — What Bolt does as a connected distribution platform

10:25 — What Dave learned moving from captive to independent

12:40 — Why independent agency success depends on knowledge, not just choice

15:03 — Centers of influence and building referral pipelines

17:05 — Why branding and marketing matter in the independent channel

19:19 — Why Dave wanted to be both an agency operator and technology builder

20:16 — How Bolt tests technology from the agency side first

23:04 — Why AI vendors all sound similar and what actually matters

24:57 — Advice for technology vendors: think through the agency lens