Shane mason
"God put in me an adventurous spirit. I use it to make friends and build relationships."
For Shane Mason, adventure isn’t about adrenaline—it’s about connection. His list of hobbies could fill a travel brochure: horseback riding, scuba diving, pheasant & big game hunting, mission trips, cross-country motorcycle rides, heli-skiing down mountains, boating & competitive water skiing. But for Shane, every activity is simply another opportunity to meet people, build friendships, and be there when someone needs a hand.
Raised on the west coast near Portland and Seattle, Shane’s early life was already active. His father loved waterskiing, his mother loved horses, and Shane learned to love both. In 7th grade, his family moved across the country to Virginia for his father’s job opportunity with State Farm. The culture shift was big, and Shane admits, “I got into a little trouble trying to fit in.” But by the time he finished high school back in Washington, he had rediscovered his passions and surrounded himself with friends who encouraged him in positive ways.
It was during his time at Seattle Pacific University that he met the woman who would later become his wife—a Minneapolis native who, not surprisingly, also loved horses and waterskiing. Together they realized God’s calling on their lives- to put Him first & commit to following Him which is truly the great adventure.
After college, Shane began working at a financial advisory firm, but he was drawn to entrepreneurial ventures. He tried his hand at ice cream and taco franchises and even volunteered at a boat dealership, which spoke to his love for the water. Yet he quickly realized that many ventures came with huge effort, big risks, and minimal reward. That’s when he saw State Farm—not just as his father’s career, but as an opportunity perfectly suited for his own strengths.
“I love meeting people. I love helping people. I chose State Farm because it was the best choice for me,” he says.
In 2001, an opportunity in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota brought the couple closer to her family. Shane threw himself into building his agency, earning recognition as a Top 10 US Agent for State Farm. Life in Maple Grove on a small private lake gave him the joy of sharing waterskiing with his wife, son and daughter.
Now 51, Shane is still in motion. His son interned with him this summer, and his daughter has launched her own life in Texas. He’s excited about mentoring the next generation in business while dreaming up his next adventures—skiing in Europe and Japan, motorcycle adventures with his dad to Alaska and South America, exploring Iceland with his wife, and a Safari in Mozambique. “At this age, you just gotta keep moving,” Shane laughs.
Someday he imagines settling in Idaho near Lake Pend Oreille and Schweitzer Mountain. “If I had to be in one place, this place is heaven,” he says.
For Shane, an adventurous life isn’t measured in miles or medals—it’s measured in the relationships made along the way, and being ready to show up when someone needs him. Loving God & loving people. That’s his true calling.