Let's Get Surety

On this episode of Let’s Get Surety® we are joined by two NASBP Past Presidents, Susan Hecker of Gallagher and Ed Heine of PayneWest Insurance, Inc., to discuss their career paths, volunteerism, and presidential terms. Their individual stories reveal the important role that NASBP leadership activities played in shaping their careers. This episode was recorded at the NASBP 2022 Annual Meeting in Palm Desert, CA, an impactful event and unparalleled networking opportunity for surety professionals, including for our guests. Find out more about NASBP’s 5-15 Committee that is mentioned during this episode and check out the Lean Into Leadership: Talking Surety With the 5-15 podcast series focusing on guests and topics selected by the NASBP 5-15 Leadership Committee.

With special guests:

Susan Hecker, Director - National Contract Surety, Gallagher and Ed Heine, Managing Director – Surety, PayneWest Insurance, 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 Rich Sghiatti of Old Republic Surety and Paul Ciambriello of Guignard Agency to talk about how surety bond producers can help contractors build their business through bonding. We spend time talking about moving from transactional bonds into a full bonding program, building a group of trusted advisors, and how to find the right professionals for that group. After listening you may want to check out the valuable resources for owners, lenders, architects, contractors, producers, and other allied professionals which are available on NASBP’s Be Guaranteed to Succeed® website.

With special guests:

Rich Sghiatti, Regional Vice President, Old Republic Surety and Paul Ciambriello, Vice President, Guignard Agency

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: Matt Cashion of The Cashion Company, Carl Dohn of Dohn & Maher Associates an AssuredPartners agency, and Spence Miller, who retired recently from his illustrious carrier in the surety industry. We look at the past, discussing each of our guests’ presidential terms through their stories that reveal the important role of NASBP volunteer leadership. We also discuss changes happening today in the surety industry and those that we foresee taking place in the near future. Check out, The Contract Surety Bond Claims Process, a resource mentioned during this episode that was developed by AGC.

With special guests:

Matt Cashion, President, The Cashion Company, Carl Dohn, President, Dohn & Maher Associates an AssuredPartners agency, and Spence Miller, Retired

Hosted by:

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

Sponsored By Allianz Trade! 

On this episode of Let’s Get Surety®, we are joined by Paul McIntyre and Nicholas Verna of Allianz Trade to discuss international surety. Our guests share with us their insights on domestic and international surety in Canada, as well as international surety throughout the Americas. We discuss the many opportunities, challenges, and nuances when considering international surety.

With special guests:

Paul McIntyre, Vice President, Surety Canada, Allianz Trade and Nicholas Verna, Regional Head of Surety & Guarantee, Americas, Allianz Trade

Hosted by:

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

Sponsored By Allianz Trade!

On this episode, we are joined by NASBP President Nick Newton, President of Newton Bonding, an AssuredPartners Agency, who shares information on his background and his personal insights as an experienced surety bonding professional and leader. Nick shares stories regarding his journey into a surety career and into NASBP membership and how his journey is emblematic of his theme “NASBP with Passion and Purpose.” You can follow these links to get information on the Producers Tool Kit (login required) and how NASBP members can join an NASBP Committee, which were both mentioned during this conversation.

With special guest:

Nick Newton, President, Newton Bonding, an AssuredPartners Agency

Hosted by:

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

Sponsored By Allianz Trade!

On this episode of Let’s Get Surety®, we are thrilled to be joined by general session panelists from the 2022 NASBP Annual Meeting, who are some of the foremost leaders in the construction industry. They are Tom Borgia of J. Raymond Construction Corporation and the 2022-2023 CFMA Chairman; Dan Fordice, III of Fordice Construction Company and President, AGC of America; Courtney Little of ACE Glass Construction and Centerline Systems Manufacturing Company and past president of the American Subcontractors Association; and Nick McFayden of Pro-Craft Construction and the 2022 Chair of the Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. – Southern California Chapter Board of Directors. Our distinguished guests share with us their wealth of knowledge and their unique perspectives on the challenges and accomplishments present in the current construction industry environment. Don’t miss this insightful discussion!

With special guests:

Tom Borgia, CFO and Shareholder, J. Raymond Construction Corporation, and CFMA’s 2022-2023 Chairman, Dan Fordice, III, Vice President of Fordice Construction Company and President, AGC of America, Courtney Little, CEO and General Counsel, ACE Glass Construction and Centerline Systems Manufacturing Company and Past President of the American Subcontractors Association, and Nick McFayden, VP of Business Development at Pro-Craft Construction and the 2022 Chair of the Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. – Southern California Chapter Board of Directors

Hosted by:

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

Sponsored By Allianz Trade!

On this episode, Let’s Get Surety® is joined by veteran surety claims attorney Jim Milos of Nationwide to talk about how technology and data collection has evolved and their use in addressing surety claims. Jim details the gains in efficiencies and in improved data collection and utilization that he has experienced throughout his surety claims career, enabling a more accurate and holistic picture of bonds costs, better allocation of staff, and--best of all--more time devoted to people and to relationships! Check out past Let’s Get Surety® episodes on a variety of technology topics.

With special guest:

James Milos, Assistant Vice President, Head of Surety & Fidelity Claims, Nationwide

Hosted by:

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

Sponsored By Allianz Trade! 

On this episode, we are joined by the author of the bestselling book, HEADTRASH: The Leading Killer of Human Potential and organizational anthropologist and CEO of Aspire and RCI Institute, Renie Cavallari, to discuss the record levels of burnout that Renie sees as the cause of the great resignation. We discuss how we can combat that burnout in ourselves, in our teams, and in working with our clients by better identifying and letting go of our “headtrash.” Renie shares tips and resources that you can use and put into practice today! To access more information on her book and the free resources that Renie mentions visit  dumpheadtrash.com.

With special guest:

Renie Cavallari, Founder and CEO, Aspire Marketing & Training and RCI Institute

Hosted by:

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

Sponsored By Allianz Trade!

On this episode, we are joined by technology executive, Adam Gussen of Tinubu, to talk about the digitization of surety processes. Adam discusses what digitization means in the surety industry and how the diverse stakeholders in the industry have affected the move to digitization. Covid-19 has pushed businesses to be more adaptable and keeping that spirit of adaptability will allow digitization to move forward and open a larger toolbox for surety professionals to execute bonds with a more efficient and secure process. If you are interested in learning more on this topic you can check out the article that Adam authored in NASBP’s Surety Bond Quarterly. You can also reference the Let’s Get Surety podcast Episode 51 with W. Patrick McGinty and check out the full library of past episodes on electronic bonding and application of blockchain technology here, or look at the joint NASBP- SFAA white paper on Electronic Bonding that Mark mentioned.

Hosted by:

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

Sponsored By Old Republic! 

On this episode, we are joined by Dan Pope, Senior Vice President of Underwriting with Old Republic Surety to discuss the importance of relationships in the relationship-driven industry of surety! We discuss what relationship-based surety means to Dan and the importance of relationships and communication during tough and uncertain times between contractors, owners, and surety professionals.

Hosted by:

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

Sponsored By Old Republic!

On this episode, we are joined by the chair of NASBP’s Small and Emerging Business Committee Chris Downey of Downey and Company to discuss the importance of education and outreach to small, emerging, minority-owned, and other under-represented construction businesses. Chris shares some of the history of the great work that NASBP’s Small and Emerging Businesses Committee has done in this area, including the Bonding Awareness Toolkit, and the in-person Bonding Across America program. We discuss the recently released joint NASBP and SFAA Contractor Bonding Education & Mentoring Program. Chris also shares examples from his own experience of the success that outreach and education can produce. Want to get involved with the NASBP’s Small and Emerging Business Committee? NASBP Members and Affiliates can join the committee now.

Hosted by:

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

Sponsored By Old Republic!

NASBP is excited to continue the series of Let’s Get Surety® episodes focusing on guests and topics selected by the NASBP 5-15 Leadership Committee. This special series is titled "Lean into Leadership: Talking Surety with the 5-15 and focuses on current issues and challenges that members of the 5-15 Leadership Committee face as young producers in the industry." In this episode, we are joined by 5-15 committee members Mark Duggan and Katie Kleinschmidt, who discuss their involvement with NASBP and the 5-15 and how it has helped them network with fellow producers, leaders, and rising stars on the company side and how invaluable that has been to their careers! If you’re interested in becoming a part of the NASBP 5-15 Committee or know someone that might be, you can get information and begin the nomination process here, and don’t forget to register for the NASBP 2022 Annual Meeting & Expo!

Hosted by:

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

Sponsored By Old Republic!

On this episode, we are joined by Bill Hughes, CPA, and a Partner at Grassi’s New Jersey office to discuss cash flow considerations in the construction industry. As the construction industry faces another year of uncertainty, we discuss the many challenges that contractors are facing and the ever-increasing importance of planning and cash flow management.

Hosted by:

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

Sponsored By Old Republic!

On this episode, we are joined by Todd Feuerman of Ellin & Tucker to discuss concerns and expectations in construction and surety as we move into 2022. We discuss megaprojects, Covid-19, labor shortages, material price escalation, margin reduction and its effects on the industry, and the reality of ownership transitions. You won’t want to miss this broad look at where we are and what the future may hold for the construction surety market.

Hosted by:

Kat Shamapande, Director, Professional Development, NASBP and Martha Perkins, General Counsel, NASBP

Sponsored by Old Republic Surety!

In this special episode, we are joined by several members of the NASBP staff to reflect on what NASBP volunteers and staff accomplished in 2021 and to discuss the many exciting things NASBP has planned for 2022. For a more in-depth look, check out the 2021 NASBP Highlights--Year-In-Review. As you listen to this episode and flip through the pages of the 2021 NASBP Year-In-Review, you will see how the theme, "We Are Better Together," that NASBP President Tracy Tucker chose for his term as President comes across loud and clear. See you in 2022!

Hosted by:

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

Sponsored by Nationwide!

On this episode, we are joined by attorneys Jacob Scott and Alexander Gorelik of Smith Currie & Hancock LLP, as we examine the administration’s order on vaccination requirements for federal contractors and the interim FAR Clause implementing that order. We discuss the updated deadlines for compliance, what contractors and employees of those contractors are included in this order, the exceptions and exclusions that pertain, and the need for compliance documentation. We also address the impact of the temporary injunction that was issued against enforcement of the contractor vaccination requirement in the states of Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennessee and how that may affect interstate contracts. To keep up to date on changes to this information, you can check the Safer Federal Workforce webpage, and don’t hesitate to reach out to a qualified attorney. Please Note: there continue to be fast-moving changes to the Vaccine Mandate and this podcast represents a snapshot in time.

Hosted by:

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

Sponsored by Nationwide!

On this episode we are joined by attorney Michelle Randall, of Zurich North America, as we examine where the worlds of tribal sovereign immunity and surety meet. Michelle defines sovereign immunity where/when it’s applicable and considerations when examining bonding a tribal government or business entity. If you want more information on this topic, you can check out the Surety Bond Quarterly Article titled: “Tribal Sovereign Immunity: What Surety Professionals Need to Know When Working With Native American Tribal Government and Business Entities”, or the NASBP Virtual Seminar with the same title that was presented by Michelle Randall and Brad Espinosa here.

Hosted by:

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

Sponsored by Nationwide!

On this episode, we are joined by technology executive, Patrick McGinty, of Tinubu Square, to talk about the digitization of surety processes. Patrick discusses why digitization has been challenging until the present time and points out the impacts of remote work and how the COVID pandemic and the need for greater flexibility have generated greater desire within the industry to move toward digitization. Patrick shares his definitions of common terms, such as electronic bonds, e-bonding, digital bonds, blockchain, and distributed ledger. If you are interested in hearing more on electronic bonding and on the application of blockchain technology, check out these other Let’s Get Surety Episodes. 

Hosted by:

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

Sponsored by Nationwide!

On this episode, we are joined by Susan Jordan of Westfield Surety for a discussion on the interesting world of court bonds comprised of judicial bonds and fiduciary bonds, and why you should be interested in them too! Susan walks us through various types of judicial bonds including plaintiff bonds and defendant bonds and the surety and underwriting considerations related to them. Then we dive into the many types of fiduciary bonds and the related surety and underwriting considerations in that arena!

Hosted by:

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

Sponsored by Nationwide!

On this episode, we are joined by attorney and former construction company executive Bill Ernstrom, of Ernstrom ADR, to discuss use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) processes to solve construction disputes. Bill discusses various types of ADR and the many advantages of those processes as compared to litigation. Bill also relates the importance of reading and understanding your contract and the importance of considering and including ADR during contract negotiations rather than when a problem arises. You may also want to check out the previous episode that Bill joined us on, “#45 Read (and Understand) Your Contract!”

Hosted by:

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

Sponsored by Nationwide!