Get to know the individuals that ignite the insurance industry as they answer our icebreaker questions. 

Jess Butler joined Vertafore in 2022 as the vice president of product management for connectivity products, with nearly two decades of experience in the insurance industry from organizations that include Mutual Capital Analytics and Travelers Insurance. 

Butler carries an extensive background in personal and commercial lines, along with a track record of using analytics to improve both top and bottom-line performance. Butler leads the strategy for Vertafore's connective products for commercial and personal lines, identifies market hurdles and establishes go-to-market plans to ensure launch readiness and success. 

Hi, Jess! As always, let's jump right into the important questions. What two items are always in your handbag?

Measuring tape and sunglasses.

Why measuring tape?

My mom always had it in her purse, so I've just learned to keep one around as well. You'd be surprised; it comes in handy!

That makes total sense. Which website do you most often defer to when procrastinating?

Amazon, usually looking for something random I don't need.

10,000 5-star reviews can't be wrong, right? So, what's one thing you can't say no to?

I'll alter this to say the one person I can't say no to is my nephew. He is 20 months old and has a hold on my heart! 

If you could appear on any game show, which one would you choose?

“The Price Is Right." I went to a live show in the past but didn't make it on.

If you ever make it onto “The Price Is Right," who would you say hello to while the wheel is spinning?

 I would say hello to my whole family: Mom, dad, sister, my nephew and, of course, my dog Wally.

Who was your first celebrity crush?

No one specific, but I was a Backstreet Boys fan over NSYNC.

What's your favorite ice cream flavor?

I prefer salty snacks over sweet snacks. I don't think I have one!

If you could eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

It would be a three-way tie between pizza, cheeseburgers or chicken nuggets—all amazing choices.

So, when you go to a fast-food restaurant, where do you go?

McDonald's. My order is usually a double cheeseburger, no mustard, no pickles.

And what is your favorite type of pizza?

I love white pizza … and ricotta cheese.

Yum! What's a phrase you use the most?

“You'll do great!"

Lastly, what is something you're looking forward to?

I'm looking forward to my work at Vertafore this year, helping carriers and agents work better together. We are working to improve agency workflows by making sure data flows seamlessly through any part of the process an agent is working, facilitating a more unified experience.

Well, you'll do great! Thanks for joining us, Jess!

This is a monthly column for Independent Agent magazine and iamagazine.com. To be featured, email hello@agencynation.com.