#95 Bonding The Growing and Changing World of Alternative Energy

Have you ever considered getting a CCIFP? On this episode of Let’s Get Surety®, we are joined by Damien Strohmier, CCIFP of DSP Insurance Services as we explore the value of the CCIFP certification and how it can give producers, underwriters, and CPAs a competitive edge in the construction industry. We discuss the certification, its components, and what it means to earn your CCIFP, as well as the cost to take and maintain this certification. Check out the Surety Bond Quarterly article, "Certification Savvy" for more CCIFP stories, and find out more about the CCIFP!

With special guest:

Damien Strohmier, Surety Bond Producer, DSP Insurance Services

Hosted by:

Kat Shamapande, Director, Professional Development, NASBP and Mark McCallum, CEO, NASBP

Sponsored by Merchants Bonding Company!

On this episode of Let’s Get Surety®, we are joined by Todd Regan, a partner in the law firm of Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, to discuss the many pitfalls to be avoided when negotiating personal guarantees. Todd explains how even when a corporate officer or agent signs what appears to be a clear agreement to personally guarantee a corporate debt, a creditor may later be surprised when the court finds the guarantee unenforceable, leaving the creditor empty-handed. Listen in to learn more about this crucial and sometimes overlooked aspect of the construction and surety industries. Read Todd's article published in the Surety Bond Quarterly Summer 2023 issue that is mentioned during this episode, "Have an Ironclad Personal Guarantee From a Corporate Officer or Agent?" and listen to Todd's other Let’s Get Surety® episode "A Closer Look at Performance Bonds and Recent Court Rulings"!

Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a leader in the surety industry? NASBP is excited to announce a new series of episodes exploring that question, titled "The Corner Office: Conversations with Surety Leaders." In this first episode, we are joined by surety industry leader Larry Taylor, President of Merchants Bonding Company, to talk about what it takes to lead an insurance company solely focused on surety bonding. Larry shares his background, including that he is a fourth-generation executive at Merchants Bonding Company, and relates the strategies and reasons behind the company's growth and how Merchants fosters its appealing company culture. Larry also speaks to opportunities and to challenges on the horizon for the surety industry as a whole and emphasizes the importance of sharing the value of the surety product more broadly. Check out the EY report prepared for SFAA, mentioned during this episode, titled The Economic Value of Surety Bonds.

With special guest:

Larry Taylor, President, Merchants Bonding Company

Hosted by:

Kat Shamapande, Director, Professional Development, NASBP and Mark McCallum, CEO, NASBP

Sponsored by Merchants Bonding Company!

On this episode of Let’s Get Surety® we learn from sales and leadership expert Ryan Estis how to approach sales with confidence and the power of relationships. Ryan explains how good salespeople are made and not born, and what qualities are necessary for success - like staying curious and being an expert in a particular industry. He explains the importance of trust and creating emotional connection, as well as how preparation can make a huge impact! Listen to learn more about how to build strong and impactful relationships. Find out more information from Ryan in his recent book "Prepare for Impact."

With special guest:

Ryan Estis, Co-Founder, ImpactEleven

Hosted by:

Kat Shamapande, Director, Professional Development, NASBP and Mark McCallum, CEO, NASBP

Sponsored by Merchants Bonding Company!

On this episode of Let’s Get Surety®, we talk with three surety professionals--Brad Babcock of Babcock Solutions and Chair of NASBP’s Membership Committee, Nicole Campbell of Parrot Surety Services and Vice Chair of NASBP’s Membership Committee, and Jennifer Morales of Intact Insurance Surety Group. All discuss reasons for joining NASBP and the extensive membership benefits and resources offered, including ways in which employees can participate in association efforts to gain industry knowledge and skillsets. Please join them and discover their perspectives on why membership is so valuable. Find out more about becoming a member now! Or check out some of the many resources and opportunities mentioned during this episode:

• NASBP SmartBrief
• NASBP Blog (specifically mentioned - Five Ways AI Is Likely To Affect The Construction Industry)
• NASBP White Papers, like the one mentioned on, Resident Agent Countersignature Laws
• NASBP Producers Communications Toolkit
• NASBP's Surety Schools
• NASBP's Suretylearn and NASBP Virtual Seminars
• NASBP's Online CE Courses
• NASBP's Suretylearn For Contractors and resources like 51 Questions Small Contractors Ask About Bonding
• NASBP's Annual Meetings and Fall Meetings
• NASBP Advocacy and Government Relations and the Federal Legislative Fly-in
• Join A NASBP Committee

With special guests:

Brad Babcock, Owner, Babcock Solutions, Nicole Campbell, CEO, Parrot Surety Services, and Jennifer Morales, Underwriting Consultant, Surety Specialty, Intact Insurance Surety Group

Hosted by:

Kat Shamapande, Director, Professional Development, NASBP and Mark McCallum, CEO, NASBP

Sponsored by Merchants Bonding Company!

On this episode of Let’s Get Surety®, we talk with CPA Jessica Krause, founder and owner of New Lyfe Accounting. Jessica shares her expertise in accounting for construction firms and the importance of having an accurate WIP report. We discuss the importance of small contractors learning how to prioritize, delegate, and grow their team of trusted advisors as their company grows. Jessica discusses how outsourcing accounting services can help small contractors do just that and offers tips on the right questions to ask to find a CPA who understands the dynamics of the industry!

With special guest:

Jessica Krause, CPA, CCIFP, Owner, New Lyfe Accounting

Hosted by:

Kat Shamapande, Director, Professional Development, NASBP and Mark McCallum, CEO, NASBP

Sponsored by Old Republic Surety!

On this episode of Let's Get Surety®, we talk with Steve Sandherr, CEO of Associated General Contractors of America, who has served the association for more than three decades as he announces his upcoming retirement. Looking back, he talks about his journey to AGC, building and keeping talented teams, and the importance of working with like-minded groups. Steve shares his insights on the commercial construction industry and offers a glimpse at the amazing work that has gone into ConsensusDocs, AGC's educational offerings, and AGC's government relations work that has aided in shaping policies for the benefit of the commercial construction industry, during his tenure. Get more information on AGC of America at www.agc.org.

With special guest:

Steve Sandherr, CEO, Associated General Contractors of America

Hosted by:

Kat Shamapande, Director, Professional Development, NASBP and Mark McCallum, CEO, NASBP

On this episode of Let’s Get Surety®, we speak with leaders of Women in Surety, Inc., a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization, founded in 2016 to offer surety women opportunities, mentorship, and support. Nancy Schnee, current President, Chandar Potter, Vice President, and Carol Levine, a co-founder, address how Women in Surety empowers, inspires, and advances women professionals in the surety industry. Our guests talk about the founding of the organization, the organization's structure, and its exciting growth and increasing recognition. The insightful conversation also touches on the terrific offerings of Women in Surety, like their events and mentorship program. Find out more about Women in Surety, including how to become a member, by visiting www.suretywomen.com.

With special guests:

• Nancy Schnee, Senior Vice President, American Global, LLC and President and Founding Board Member, Women In Surety
• Chandar Potter, Head of Commercial Surety, Munich Re Specialty Insurance, Vice President and Founding Board Member, Women In Surety
• Carol Levine, President, Arthur B. Levine Co., Inc., and Co-Founder of Women in Surety

Hosted by:

Kat Shamapande, Director, Professional Development, NASBP and Mark McCallum, CEO, NASBP

Sponsored by Old Republic Surety!

On this 100th episode of Let’s Get Surety®, we take time to celebrate another success on the advocacy front! We are joined by Philip Macres, a principal at Klein Law Group PLLC and leader of the Coalition that seeks alternatives to the letter of credit (LOC) requirement in the BEAD program, and NASBP's Director of Government Relations Larry LeClair. We discuss some background on Broadband and LOC's. As well as discussing the exciting NTIA press release that came out on November 1, 2024 and what it means! Check out the September 6th letter mentioned during the podcast and gear up for NASBP's 2024 Legislative Fly-In where this will be one of the items for Fly-In attendees to address.

With special guests:

Philip Macres, Principal, Klein Law Group, PLLC and Lawrence LeClair, Director, Government Relations, NASBP

Hosted by:

Kat Shamapande, Director, Professional Development, NASBP and Mark McCallum, CEO, NASBP

Sponsored by Old Republic Surety!

On this episode of Let’s Get Surety®, we are joined by Danette Back, Partner and Head of Industry Verticals at USI Insurance Services to discuss how surety and insurance teams can work together and support each other. She discusses the importance of having holistic conversations about Risk Management with clients, and the need to seek out education such as NASBP's Surety School to fill gaps in knowledge. Danette also shares insights into what she is seeing from her vantage point of overseeing both PNC and Surety teams. Find out more about how you too can attend NASBP's Surety Schools!

With special guest:

Danette Beck, CPCU, ARM, CRIS, Partner - Head of Industry Verticals and National Construction Practice Leader, USI Insurance Services

Hosted by:

Kat Shamapande, Director, Professional Development, NASBP and Mark McCallum, CEO, NASBP

Sponsored by Old Republic Surety!