Let's Get Surety

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!

Among NASBP’s valued stakeholder partners is the American Subcontractors Association, Inc., a national association representing the breadth of the subcontractor construction community. NASBP has enjoyed and continues to enjoy a productive relationship with ASA and looks forward to enhancing that strategic relationship in 2024. Let’s Get Surety® sat down with Richard Bright, CEO of ASA, at NASBP's 2023 Annual Meeting, to talk about ASA's expansive organization, its services, and its plans for growth. Richard discusses the importance of the association in advocating for payment, contract language, and workforce issues, as well as the successful initiatives they've implemented to reduce retainage. Since our conversation, the FASA Natural Disaster Guide mentioned in the episode has come out. Find out more about ASA, including how to become a member, by visiting www.asaonline.com.

With special guest:

Richard Bright, Chief Executive Officer, ASA and FASA

Hosted by:

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

Sponsored by Old Republic!

On this episode of NASBP’s Let’s Get Surety®, we are joined by NASBP Past Presidents John Bustard of King & Neel, Mark Munekawa of Woodruff Sawyer, and Tracy Tucker of Tucker Agency, Ltd. We look at the past, discussing each of our guests’ entry into the surety industry as well as the roots of their NASBP involvement. Additionally, we discuss their unique presidential terms, all of which were altered by the COVID-19 pandemic. The stories they tell exemplify the importance of resourcefulness and leading and moving forward through unprecedented times. You can check out other terrific content in the recordings of the Virtual Events that are mentioned during our conversation at NASBP’s SuretyLearn. Listen to all of the interesting and engaging episodes in the Thinking Back Looking Forward: NASBP and the Surety Industry with NASBP Past Presidents series.

With special guests:

Tracy Tucker, President, Tucker Agency, Ltd, John Bustard, Senior Vice President, King & Neel, LLC, and Mark Munekawa, Sr. Vice President – Surety, Woodruff Sawyer

Hosted by:

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

Sponsored by Old Republic!

On this episode of Let’s Get Surety®, we are joined by Aaron Steffey, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, of Propeller Bonds, who shares his insights and observations on electronic bonding. We discuss the importance of the digitization of surety, as well as some of the ups and downs, such as how the pandemic helped move electronic bonding forward more quickly, as well as the many hurdles still in front of us. Check out the other Let’s Get Surety® episodes on electronic bonding to learn more!

With special guest:

Aaron Steffey, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Propeller Bonds

Hosted by:

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

Sponsored by Old Republic!

On this episode of Let’s Get Surety®, we are joined by Nathan Wonder of CAC Specialty who shares perspectives and updates on alternative energy bonding. We discuss the growth and changes in the Solar and Wind power industries and the need to standardize the bond forms in the alternative energy space. Nathan also touches on bonding opportunities on the horizon in the burgeoning hydrogen and carbon sequestration and geothermal energy industries. Check out Nathan's past presentations, “Future Opportunities in Surety: Navigating Changing Landscapes” which was part of the NASBP April 2021 Virtual Event as well as the Virtual Seminar titled “Shedding Light on Surety in the World of Solar Power” and the Surety Bond Quarterly article he authored with the same title.

With special guest:

Nathan Wonder, Vice President, Surety - Natural Resources, CAC Specialty

Hosted by:

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

Sponsored by Old Republic!

On this episode of Let’s Get Surety®, we are joined by federal executives John Miller of the Office of Capital Access and Jermaine Perry of the Office of Surety Guarantees at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), who share perspectives and information regarding SBA’s capital access lending and bond guarantee programs, which benefit and strengthen small businesses by giving them the capital and credit needed to progress and thrive. Find out more about these federal programs available to small construction businesses nationwide at https://www.sba.gov.

With special guests:

John Miller, Deputy Associate Administrator, Office of Capital Access at U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and Jermaine Perry, Director, Office of Surety Guarantees, Office of Capital Access, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

Hosted by:

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

Sponsored by Old Republic!

On this episode of Let’s Get Surety®, we are joined by Cash McMillen of The Cashion Company and Brianna Stephenson of Parrot Surety Services to discuss their surety careers. They share how they found their careers in surety, what their roles and tasks are during a typical day on the job, and how they knew that they had found much more than a job with their surety careers. Both Cash and Brianna share advice for those looking for a career and encourage them to consider a career in surety. 

With special guests:

Cash McMillen, CIC, Partner, Executive Vice President – Operations-Insurance and Bonding, The Cashion Company, Inc. and Brianna Stephenson, Surety Bond Specialist & Marketing Manager, Parrot Surety Services

Hosted by:

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

Sponsored by Old Republic!

On this episode of Let’s Get Surety®, we are joined by Government Relations staff Larry LeClair of NASBP and Mike Oscar of the American Subcontractors Association (ASA) to discuss current federal legislative initiatives that NASBP and ASA are working together on and significant recent wins! They discuss efforts to amend the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) to ensure performance and payment protections are in place on WIFIA funded projects, as well as pursuing proposed legislation on bonding federal P3 projects, and introduction of H.R. 2726 the Small Business Payment and Performance Act, which will remedy situations in which small construction businesses are forced to finance federal contracting agency unilateral change orders. Get more information from NASBP about advocacy efforts by signing up for NASBP’s Focal Point, an electronic legislative/regulatory bulletin, and find out more about ASA’s advocacy work on their website and in their magazine Contractor’s Compass.

With special guests:

Lawrence LeClair, Director, Government Relations, NASBP and Michael Oscar, Director of Government Relations, American Subcontractors Association (ASA)

Hosted by:

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

Sponsored by Old Republic!

Are you curious how blockchain technology is changing the surety industry? On this episode of Let’s Get Surety®, we are joined by Greg Davenport of Liberty Mutual Surety and Sandy Hampel of The Institutes RiskSteam Collaborative to discuss the substantial strides a broad industry effort facilitated by The Institutes RiskSteam Collaborative has made exploring blockchain technology to digitize surety processes. Davenport and Hampel discuss how blockchain technology can generate greater efficiency in processes by, for example, allowing faster verification and authentication of bonds. They relate the impressive work now being accomplished with surety and technology partners, including the ability to provide demonstrations of proofs of concept at NASBP’s recent 2023 Annual Meeting, and the plans for 2024. Check out Greg’s past episode that touched on the earlier days of this process titled, “Blockchain Technology in Surety” and visit The Institutes RiskStream Collaborative online to get more information.

With special guests:

Greg Davenport, Sr. Vice President, Global Risks, Liberty Mutual Surety and Sandy Hampel, Director Life & Annuity and Commercial Lines Products, The Institutes RiskStream Collaborative

Hosted by:

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

Sponsored by Liberty Mutual Surety!

On this episode of Let’s Get Surety®, we are joined by three women executives from Liberty Mutual Surety, Patty Catanese, Renee Llewellyn, and Cissie Scoggin-Saslaw, who stepped away from the excitement and networking at NASBP’s 2023 Annual Meeting to chat with us. We learn about their career paths, how they have grown their careers in a male-dominated industry, how the makeup of the surety industry has grown and become more diverse, and some of the exciting programs that Liberty Mutual Surety has put in place to attract, retain, and provide a path to leadership for women in surety, such as their Women’s Resource Network.

With special guests:

• Patty Catanese, Northeast Regional Vice President – Surety Field Operations, Liberty Mutual Surety
• Renee Llewellyn, Senior Vice President, Surety Plus, Liberty Mutual Surety
• Cissie Scoggin-Saslaw, Southeast Regional Vice President - Surety Field Operations, Liberty Mutual Surety

Hosted by:

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

Sponsored by Liberty Mutual Surety!

On this episode, we are joined by NASBP President Patrick Pribyl of Lockton Companies, who shares information on the many exciting events in store during his presidential term. Patrick also shares stories regarding his journey as an NASBP member and volunteer and how his experiences lead him to his theme “All In.” You can follow these links to get information on how you can be All In with NASBP through the many opportunities that Patrick mentions during the episode: attending the NASBP Fall Meetings, attending the NASBP 2024 Annual Meeting and Expo, attending future NASBP Surety Schools and other Educational events, and joining an NASBP Committee.

With special guest:

Patrick Pribyl, National Surety Team Leader - Senior Vice President, Lockton Companies

Hosted by:

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

Sponsored by Liberty Mutual Surety!