Abstract digital art featuring blue and purple glowing lines and wave patterns on a black background.

Rising Tide is where insurance professionals and technologists collide.

We blend entrepreneurial energy with deep insurance and business expertise to build an agency that thinks differently — and delivers differently. We use technology not as a buzzword, but as a force multiplier that creates better experiences for clients, better tools for our team, and better outcomes for everyone we serve.

Who are we?
Group of five diverse people having a meeting at a table in an office, with one woman speaking while others listen.

Rising Tide is a people-first, employee‑owned organization.

We grow through a mix of strategic acquisitions and our own proprietary training programs that develop top‑tier producers, account managers, and future leaders. Our model is simple: invest in great people, equip them with great technology, and empower them to build meaningful, long‑term relationships.

Our Leadership

Rising Tide Insurance was created by a team of entrepreneurs who saw the industry from the inside: the inefficiencies, the fragmentation, and the lack of tools. We knew clients deserved better. We knew agencies deserved better. And we knew technology could unlock an entirely new standard of performance.

So we built Rising Tide as an insurance organization designed for the future but grounded in the values that made this industry great. Built around trust, service, real relationships and expertise.

Ralph Pahlmeyer, Managing Partner and CEO of Rising Tide Insurance, black and white headshot, smiling, short wavy hair, wearing a button-up shirt against a light background.

Ralph Pahlmeyer

Managing Partner, CEO

Ralph was the Co-founder and CEO at Vestorly, an AI-driven content management technology company for financial advisors and insurance professionals. Vestorly was acquired by FMG Suite in 2022 and its technology now powers FMG Suite’s industry leading content offerings across its marketing platform and website products.

Prior to Vestorly, Ralph co-founded AdvisorLeap, a marketing agency for financial advisors and insurance professionals.

Ralph is a General Partner at Kerve Capital, a digital asset fund and CFO at Pahlmeyer LLC, a family office investing in early stage ventures.

Duncan Payne, Managing Partner and Chief Growth Officer of Rising Tide Insurance, black and white headshot, medium-length hair, wearing a white shirt and dark blazer, facing forward with a slight smile.

Duncan Payne

Managing Partner, Chief Growth Officer

Ducan is a partner at Trident Wealth Strategies, specializing in the affluent insurance marketplace, where he leads growth strategy, advisor development, and client acquisition.

Ducan previously ran business development for PRW Wealth Management, a family-owned insurance and investment advisory firm which was acquired by EFE in Nov 2024.

Duncan is a former U.S. Navy SEAL and Senior Operations Manager at SEAL Team Two, where he led high-performing teams and complex initiatives in demanding, multinational environments.

Raghav Tanna, Strategic Advisor of Rising Tide Insurance, headshot of a smiling man with short dark hair, wearing a checkered shirt against a plain light background.

Raghav Tanna

Strategic Advisor

Raghav was the Co-Founder and CEO at Tarmika, an innovative insurance quoting platform that helps insurance agents save time and write more business. Tarmika was acquired by Applied Systems in Sep 2022, the leading insurance technology commercial lines distribution platform.

At Applied Systems, Raghav was the SVP of Product Management responsible for commercial lines technology.

Raghav is also the Co-founder and Board Member of the Little Sparks Project which provides financial grants to families who have children with medical complexities.