Pivoting From Pro Golf to Pro Insurance Broker with Kyle Thompson

Kyle Thompson is the Senior Vice President in Risk Management at Arthur J. Gallagher, where he leads large teams on complex risk. He played pro golf for 17 years before pivoting to risk management in 2019. In this live from RIMS 2025 episode, Kyle reflects on the ways that his golf career prepared him for risk management. He highlights the similarities between the two careers, reflects on some of his biggest wins, and details the athletic characteristics that have helped him excel in his new career.

Key Takeaways:

● Kyle’s experience with golf was a family affair that is in his DNA.

● Advancing through the PGA was a multi-year-long effort.

● Kyle’s pivot from pro golf to risk management.

● Risk and insurance knowledge started with earning accreditations.

● Kyle has zero regrets about his career in risk management.

● Reflections on Kyle’s biggest wins and AJG’s growing success.

● Addressing the male-dominated insurance landscape.

● Surprising discoveries that Kyle made once he joined the traditional workforce.

● Characteristics of ex-athletes who thrive in risk management.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kyle Thompson

Arthur J. Gallagher

Tweetables:

“I had a few offers to go into real estate, but it just didn’t speak to me the way insurance did.”

“I was a pro at golf; now I’m an aspiring professional insurance broker.”

“I know what I know, and I know what I don’t know.”

“Golf itself is really nothing but risk management.”