Let's Get Surety

On this episode of Let’s Get Surety®, we are joined by economist Dr. Anirban Basu of Sage Policy Group, just minutes before he stepped on the stage at NASBP’s 2023 Annual Meeting to share his keynote presentation. Anirban shares his thoughts on some of the major factors shaping economic outcomes today and offers insights into what’s to come, highlighting the major risks that economic stakeholders will likely encounter.

With special guest:

Dr. Anirban Basu, Chairman & CEO, Sage Policy Group, Inc.

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 renowned keynote speaker Ross Bernstein, best-selling sportswriter and author, just minutes after stepping off the stage at NASBP's 2023 Annual Meeting. Ross shares his thoughts, insights, and stories on how passionate people can become champions in life and in careers.

With special guest:

Sponsored by Liberty Mutual Surety!

On this episode of Let’s Get Surety®, we are joined by Carmen Duarte of Intact Insurance Specialty Solutions to talk about building a more diverse and inclusive industry. We discuss the changing demographics of today’s world at work and how we can move forward to expand profitability and success through building a more diverse workforce! We also discuss some of the challenges we face in attracting new people to the surety industry and Carmen shares ideas of tactics to overcome these hurdles as well as the progress that she has seen on this front in her role at Intact. You can hear more from Carmen at NASBP’s 2023 Annual Meeting in Marco Island, FL where she joins other panelists for a presentation titled, The Rapidly Changing World of Employee Onboarding, Retention and Management” Hope to see you there!

With special guest:

Carmen Duarte, VP Diversity, Inclusion & Social Impact, Intact Insurance Specialty Solutions

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 Brian Perlberg, Esq., who serves as the Executive Director & Senior Counsel for ConsensusDocs as well as the Senior Counsel for Construction Law & Contracts for the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America, to talk about ConsenseusDocs, an effort among more than 40 construction industry organizations to develop and disseminate standardized construction document forms. Brian shares information on updates to ConsensusDocs forms, including its general conditions document, along with trends in construction contracts generally. For more information, please visit ConsensusDocs online. Interested individuals may request a sample document. NASBP is among the organizations supporting ConsensusDocs.

With special guest:

Brian Perlberg, Executive Director & Senior Counsel, ConsensusDocs, and Senior Counsel, AGC

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 Andrew Grey, of Munich Reinsurance America, Inc., to discuss what reinsurance is and why it’s important, especially given the current uncertain period. This podcast episode examines the state of the reinsurance market and conveys the value reinsurance brings to the surety environment.

*Disclaimer from Andrew Grey: The views and opinions expressed here may include projections based on assumptions and forecasts and is intended for information purposes only. Nothing that I am about to say is intended to be legal, underwriting, financial or any other type of professional advice, and listeners are encouraged to consult with his or her own counsel or other advisors to verify the accuracy and completeness of any information used and to determine its applicability to the recipient’s particular circumstances. Nothing I am about to say should be construed as a representation or warranty of any kind, whether express or implied, as respects to the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of this information to any recipient’s circumstances. Any descriptions or comments made about coverage are meant to be general in nature and do not include nor are intended to include all the actual terms, benefits and limitations found in an insurance or reinsurance policy, which will form the contract between the insured and insurance company and governs in all cases. Neither me nor my employer assumes any liability whatsoever resulting from reliance upon my comments.

With special guests:

Andrew Grey, Senior Vice President, Credit Surety and Political Risk Underwriter, Munich Re US-Specialty Lines-Credit & Surety, Munich Reinsurance America, Inc.

Hosted by:

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

Sponsored by Old Republic!

On this episode, we are joined by Joseph Young a Partner and Board-Certified Construction Attorney with the law firm of Smith Currie in the firm’s Fort Lauderdale, Florida, office to discuss mitigating the risk of Construction Defect Claims. We discuss the possible sources and duration of the liability. Additionally, we discuss the types of warranties and how to shift and limit the risk related to construction defect claims to contractors!

With special guest:

Joseph R. Young, Partner, Smith, Currie & Hancock LLP

Hosted by:

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

Sponsored by Old Republic!

On this podcast episode, we are joined by Stefan Engelhardt from Brown & Brown Risk Solutions, who shares his insights into bonding cryptocurrency enterprises. Cryptocurrency is opaque to many, but this podcast offers a closer look at what constitutes cryptocurrency and how cryptocurrency transactions interface with money transmitter bonds. Also discussed are what financials and indemnity can look like when bonding cryptocurrency enterprises and what is the current appetite for bonding cryptocurrency enterprises. Be sure to check out the NASBP Virtual Seminar that Stefan presented titled, “Keeping Surety Weird: Exploring Opportunities in Commercial Surety”.

With special guest:

Stefan Engelhardt, National Surety Practice, Sales & Outreach Director, Brown & Brown Risk Solutions

Hosted by:

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

Sponsored by Old Republic!

On this podcast episode, we are joined by Larry LeClair, Director of Government Relations at NASBP, who will offer some helpful tips when meeting with elected officials. We delve into the importance of engaging with elected officials, so they are attuned to the important issues facing their voter constituents and how those issues directly impact their respective state and/or district. Larry also provides a real-life example where an active NASBP volunteer connects with his elected official resulting in a significant policy change for the surety industry. The podcast also highlights the significance of attending NASBP’s Federal Legislative fly-in. Please visit the NASBP Fly-in for more information and subscribe to NASBP’s Focal Point, an electronic bulletin that provides concise, bulleted summaries of key legislative and regulatory developments.

With special guest:

Larry LeClair, Director, Government Relations, NASBP

Hosted by:

Kat Shamapande, Director, Professional Development, NASBP 

Sponsored by Old Republic!

On this episode, we are joined by Sara Bour and James Germano from AIA Contract Documents to look behind the curtain at the AIA Contract Documents program. We discuss the history of AIA standardized contract development as well as the different families of related documents that they offer. Additionally, the guests characterize the AIA drafting process, its foundational principles and its objectives, and are told of the structure and composition of the AIA documents committee. Visit the AIA Contract Documents website for more information.

With special guests:

Sara Bour, Manager and Counsel, AIA Contract Documents and James Germano, Senior Manager and Counsel, AIA Contract Documents

Hosted by:

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

Sponsored by Old Republic Surety!

On this episode, we are joined by Joseph Young a Partner and Board-Certified Construction Attorney with the law firm of Smith Currie in the firm’s Fort Lauderdale, Florida, office to discuss indemnity clauses. We touch on the different types of indemnity clauses as well as the relationship to limitations of liability clauses. Additionally, we discuss the importance of understanding what claims or damages are covered and who is being indemnified typically under most indemnity clauses!

With special guest:

Joseph R. Young, Partner, Smith, Currie & Hancock LLP

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 Brian Perlberg who serves as the Executive Director & Senior Counsel for ConsensusDocs, as well as the Senior Counsel for Construction Law & Contracts for Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America to talk about ConsenseusDocs. Brian shares some information on the background, purpose, and process behind ConsenseusDocs and what makes them unique. We also discuss how ConsenseusDocs has innovated and updated to keep up with the times including the creation of the Materials Price Escalation Clause and resource center. For more information visit ConsensusDocs online and you can link directly to their Price Escalation Resource Center or request a sample, as well. NASBP is a supporting organization of ConsensusDocs.

With special guests:

Brian Perlberg, Executive Director & Senior Counsel, ConsensusDocs, and Senior Counsel, AGC

Hosted by:

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

On this episode of Let’s Get Surety®, we are joined by David Kearby the Executive Director at TRIP, a national transportation research nonprofit, to discuss TRIP’s work to increase public awareness of US Infrastructure needs. Both 2021 and 2022 were big years for infrastructure and David shares some highlights from the past and gives a sneak peek into what’s coming in 2023. For more information, on TRIP and how you can support their mission you can visit them online at tripnet.org. You can also get more information on NASBP’s Federal Legislative Fly-In  scheduled for March 2023 and add your voice to those reinforcing these messages on the Hill!

Photo by kimi lee on Unsplash

With special guest:

David Kearby, CAE, Executive Director, TRIP

Hosted by:

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

On this episode of Let’s Get Surety®, NASBP CEO Mark McCallum flips the script and asks Kat Shamapande to step back from her role as host and share information on NASBP’s Professional Development Committee and the countless impressive educational offerings they make available to surety professionals to grow their careers, networks, and surety know-how. During this episode, we discuss the rich and engaging experience offered at NASBP’s Surety School classes including Contract Surety School classes Level I, II, and III and Commercial Surety School classes I and II (launching in 2023), NASBP’s Virtual Seminars, and surety focused online CE courses. Don’t miss this review of the many excellent resources offered by NASBP to help you fuel your passion as a surety professional!

With special guest:

Kat Shamapande, Director, Professional Development, NASBP

Hosted by:

Mark McCallum, CEO, NASBP

On this episode of Let’s Get Surety®, we are joined by Ken Cobleigh, Esq., Vice President & Counsel for the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Contract Documents Program, to discuss two key concepts, Delegated Design and Design Assist, which are gaining in prevalence in commercial construction. Ken shares some background with us, then provides critical definitions to help distinguish the meaning and import of these terms. Also discussed are the process by which the AIA documents committee uses to create its standardized agreements and how AIA standardized documents can clarify issues and encourage conversation to promote clear understanding by all parties. For more information, check out the Design Collaboration on Construction Projects White Paper that Ken mentioned as well as a Sample Delegated Design Agreement and a Sample Design Assist Agreement which are all posted on aiacontracts.org.

With special guest:

Kenneth Cobleigh Esq., Vice President & Counsel, AIA Contract Documents

Hosted by:

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

On this episode of NASBP’s Let’s Get Surety® we are joined by NASBP Past Presidents Larry McMahon of Alliant Insurance Services, Tom Padilla of HUB International, and Bob Shaw of Skillings Shaw & Associates. We look at the past, discussing each of our guests’ entry into the surety industry as well as their industry involvement and presidential terms through their stories, which reveal the important initiatives spearheaded during their presidential terms and which continue into the present day. We also discuss the importance and impact of NASBP’s Surety Schools and volunteer committee involvement on their distinguished careers! You can find out more about joining a committee and get more information and register for NASBP’s next Surety School class now!

With special guests:

Larry McMahon, Executive Vice President, Surety Manager, Alliant Insurance Services, Inc., Tom Padilla, Senior Vice President, HUB International Limited, and Bob Shaw, President, Skillings Shaw & Associates, Inc.

Hosted by:

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

On this episode of Let’s Get Surety®, we are joined by Mike Bomba, Managing Director and Counsel for the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Contract Documents Program to discuss the importance and significant advantages of standardized construction and related contracts. Among the principal advantages discussed are cost and time savings and predictability, thereby facilitating and expediting complex construction industry transactions. Mike also shares some of the interesting history of AIA Contract Documents program on their website.

With special guest:

Michael Bomba, Managing Director and Counsel, AIA Contract Documents

Hosted by:

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

On this episode, we are joined by construction financial accounting expert Todd Feuerman of Ellin & Tucker to discuss economic concerns and expectations in construction as we look towards the end of 2022 and what to expect in 2023. We touch on the effects of inflation, government programs and initiatives, increased construction project costs, material price escalation, and how contractors can prepare for what’s next! You won’t want to miss this broad look at where we are and what the future may hold for the construction market. You can learn more about this topic by checking out the NASBP Blog Post written by Todd titled, “Construction Financial Accounting Expert on 2023: The Boom Continues”! 

With special guest:

Todd A. Feuerman, CPA, MBA, CCA, Director and Chair of Construction Services Group at Ellin & Tucker

Hosted by:

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

On this episode of Let’s Get Surety we are joined by Jennifer Vigil of the US Small Business Administration, Andrea Haight, of CCI Surety, Inc. and Michelle Savage of XBRL US to discuss the exciting news that the US Small Business Administration is now accepting the Work in Progress (WIP) report data in a machine-readable format using XBRL taxonomy to eliminate the need for bond agents to manually enter data into an online form. We discuss WIP automation testing, SBA’s acceptance and what this will mean to the parties that participate in SBA’s Surety Guarantee Program. NASBP members’ significant role in supporting automation efforts will also be highlighted.

With special guests:

Jennifer Vigil, Acting Director, Office of Surety Guarantees, Office of Capital Access, US Small Business Administration, Andrea Haight, Assistant Vice President, CCI Surety, Inc., and Michelle Savage, Vice President, Communication, XBRL US

Hosted by:

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

On this episode of NASBP’s Let’s Get Surety® we are joined by NASBP Past Presidents Stephen Cory of Cory Tucker & Larrowe, Inc., Todd Loehnert of L A Surety Solutions - A Division of Alliant Insurance Services, and Lynne Cook, who retired recently from her illustrious career in the surety industry and now is consulting. We look at the past, discussing each of our guest's presidential terms through their stories which reveal the important initiatives spearheaded during their presidential terms and which continue into the present. We also discuss industry changes happening today. To get more information about some of the subjects discussed, the following links are provided: NASBP’s 5-15 Committee, NASBP’s Focal Point (providing regular updates on legislative and regulatory developments of interest to the surety community) and NASBP recognitions and awards, the Bruce T. Wallace Award and the John "Jack" J. Curtin, Jr. President’s Award.

With special guests:

Lynne Cook, Retired and Consulting, Stephen Cory, President, Cory Tucker & Larrowe, Inc., and Todd Loehnert, President, LA Surety Solutions - A Division of Alliant Insurance Services

Hosted by:

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

On this episode of Let’s Get Surety®, we are joined by CMAA Board of Directors, Chair, Brian McCarthy, of CDM Smith and CMAA Board of Directors, Chair-Elect, Christine Oates, CCM, of Jacobs, to discuss the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA). Our guests share some background on CMAA, their members, their role in the industry, and the importance of their educational efforts including their certification. If you’re interested in finding out more about CMAA you can visit them online, and check out their podcast, Construction Leaders Podcast.

With special guests:

Brian McCarthy, PE, CCM, Vice President, CDM Smith and the CMAA Board of Directors, Chair and Christine Oates, CCM, Vice President, Jacobs, CMAA Board of Directors, Chair-Elect

Hosted by:

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