Listen Now

On this episode, we are joined by Mark Munekawa, Senior Vice President of Surety at Woodruff Sawyer, and the NASBP Immediate Past President, for a conversation on SPACs or Special Purpose Acquisition Companies. During our conversation, Mark outlines what SPACs are, describes why SPACs are a growing trend and explains why it is important for surety industry professionals to understand them. Hosted by: Kat Shamapande, Director, Professional Development, NASBP and Mark McCallum, CEO, NASBP Sponsored by Old Republic Surety!

On this episode, Todd R. Braggins of Ernstrom & Dreste, LLP joins us to share information about the decision by the surety to finance a defaulting principal. Todd highlights specific red flags that might come into play and discusses important steps to follow as the decision to finance is considered. Todd also describes the important role bond producers can play to make this a better situation for all involved. For more information on this topic, check out Todd’s article in the Summer 2021 issue of Surety Bond Quarterly titled, “Profiles in Character: Two Tales of Financing – The Bond Producers Role” Hosted by: Kat Shamapande, Director, Professional Development, NASBP and Mark McCallum, CEO, NASBP Sponsored By Old Republic Surety!

NASBP is excited to continue the 2021 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 Brian Ayres, of L A Surety Solutions a division of Alliant Insurance Services and Devin Moore, of Moore Surety Bonds Agency, who discuss the trials and rewards of starting their own agencies. They each offer stories and lessons they learned along the way! Hosted by: Kat Shamapande, Director, Professional Development, NASBP and Mark McCallum, CEO, NASBP Sponsored By Liberty Mutual Surety!

On this episode, Zach Mendelson of EPIC Brokers and Mike Specht of INSURICA Southwest join us to share information about NASBP Be Guaranteed to Succeed Campaign, specifically the new Producer Communications Toolkit 2.0 that is designed to help bond producers have a conversation about and describe the value of the surety product. They discuss how they have used the Toolkit's many resources to successfully improve their marketing efforts to prospective clients and stakeholders, including project owners, lenders, architects and contractors. For more information, visit the Be Guaranteed to Succeed and check out the recording of, “Be Guaranteed To Succeed: How the New NASBP Producer Communications Toolkit Can Help You Sell More Bonds” for more details on how Zach and Mike have put the NASBP Producer Communications Toolkit 2.0 to work for themselves and their agencies! 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 Tracy Tucker of Tucker Agency, who shares information on his background and his agency and his personal insights as an experienced surety bonding professional and leader. Tracy also relates stories regarding his journey into a surety career and into NASBP membership and discloses the reasons behind his presidential theme, “Better Together.” Hear Tucker’s passion for the surety community and his anticipation to get back together again in person this year at the Summer Surety School and at NASBP’s East and West Fall Meetings! Hosted by: Kat Shamapande, Director, Professional Development, NASBP Sponsored By Liberty Mutual Surety!

On this episode, we are joined by Steven D. Ness, President, Surety Association of Canada and Sheila Thompson, President, Rosenberg & Parker of Canada, Inc. and Chair of the NASBP International Committee who will be sharing their insights on digital bonding. We discuss what a digital bond is and is not, the benefits to digital bonds and the process of moving to digital bonds. You can find more information in the white paper, “Digital Bonds the Way of the Future –and the Present" that was published by the Surety Association of Canada. Or by checking out the NASBP Virtual Seminar, "An e-Bonding Success Story: Applying Lessons Learned in Canada To The US e-Bonding Journey”. 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 Martha Perkins on the NASBP team and Greg Horne of Liberty Mutual Surety who will be talking about the significance of the False Claims Act to construction firms and to surety firms. We discuss the history of the False Claims Act and why it’s important for contractors, subcontractors, surety, and producers to be well informed on this issue. We also discuss the importance of awareness and education on this issue. For more information on False Claims Act liability risks, you should check out the NASBP FCA presentation at AGC Surety Bonding and RM Conference, June 2-4, 2021 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 Adam Pessin and Kaz Yasui of Tokio Marine HCC – Surety Group to discuss electronic signature. We talk through e-signature options and what makes this a safe and reliable option. They also share reasons Tokio Marine HCC adopted e-signature, how they are using DocuSign e-signature Knowledge-Based Authentication (KBA) technology, as well as other innovations and developing trends. You may want to also check out other podcasts on e-signature and other technology topics. Hosted by: Kat Shamapande, Director, Professional Development, NASBP and Mark McCallum, CEO, NASBP Sponsored by Liberty Mutual Surety!

NASBP is excited to announce a new 2021 series of 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. On this first episode in the series, we are joined by current committee chair Steven Tucker of the Tucker Agency, and former committee chair Corban Enns of Surety Solutions A Gallagher Company, who discuss the benefits of participating in the 5-15 Leadership Committee and share reflections on their personal experiences as committee members. Visit the 5-15 Committee website for more information on joining the committee. Hosted by: Kat Shamapande, Director, Professional Development, NASBP and Mark McCallum, CEO, NASBP Sponsored By Old Republic Surety!

On this episode, Darrel Lamb, Regional Vice President with Old Republic Surety, joins us to discuss subcontract bonds. We discuss how subcontract bonds can help manage subcontracting in instances where the work is unique, when work contains upward design risks, when a subcontractor is unfamiliar, and when the capacity of the general contractor needs to be expanded. Take a look at Darrel’s NASBP Pipeline article, “Subcontract Bonds: Four Times When General Contractors Need Subcontractor Bonds” for more information on this topic. Hosted by: Kat Shamapande, Director, Professional Development, NASBP and Mark McCallum, CEO, NASBP Sponsored By Old Republic Surety!

On this episode, Larry LeClair, Director of Government Relations at NASBP and Dalton DeFendis, Director of Federal Affairs at SFAA, join us to discuss the importance of participating in the Joint NASBP and SFAA Virtual Legislative Fly-In coming up on March 25th. We discuss the importance of meeting with your elected officials and their staff to advocate for the surety industry, outline the virtual format and walk participants through some of the important talking points for their congressional meetings. The virtual fly-in affords participants the luxury of engaging in policy discussions with their members of Congress at the comfort of their office/home. Don’t forget to register by March 12th so that your meetings can be scheduled in advance! Hosted by: Kat Shamapande, Director, Professional Development, NASBP and Mark McCallum, CEO, NASBP Sponsored By Old Republic Surety  

On this episode, Neen James, leadership expert, author of Attention Pays™ and upcoming NASBP Virtual Seminar presenter, joins us to share some great tips on how to leverage your focus and pay attention to what matters most at work and in life. With a strong background in learning and development and managing large teams at various corporations, Neen discusses the importance of implementable strategies that will help each of us avoid distractions, stop interruptions, prioritize daily objectives and say ‘no‘ to requests that steal time and focus from real goals and priorities. Don’t forget to register now, for her NASBP Virtual Seminar titled, “Systems Thinking (or Systems of Attention): How Surety Bond Producers can Build and Nurture Client Relationships During Challenging Times” and you can also check out these sample book chapters from her book Attention Pays™! Sponsored by Old Republic Surety Hosted by: Kat Shamapande, Director, Professional Development, NASBP and Mark McCallum, CEO, NASBP

On this episode, Greg Davenport, Senior Vice President, Global Risks, Liberty Mutual Surety, joins us to discuss blockchain technology and its potential application within the surety industry. We discuss what is meant by the term “blockchain technology” and its relevance for surety transactions and how ICISA and the RiskStream Collaborative are invested in leading exploration of the application of this technology to surety processes. Additionally, we examine how block chain technology is being proposed for a power of attorney repository. Learn how you can get involved and share your feedback by taking part in the RiskStream Surety Lab workshop kick-off call taking place on February 17, 2021. Hosted by: Kat Shamapande, Director, Professional Development, NASBP and Mark McCallum, CEO, NASBP Sponsored By Old Republic Surety    

On this episode, Jack Callahan CPA, Partner – Construction Industry Leader at CohnReznick joins us for an update on the latest round of Covid-19 relief and what it means for the first and second rounds of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Jack examines tax treatment highlights and where PPP loan debt will appear on contractors’ financial statements. As well as diving into similarities and differences between Round 1 and Round 2 PPP loans based on what we know now. For more information on the PPP, you can go to both NASBP’s Coronavirus Resources Page or CohnReznick’s Coronavirus Center! Hosted by: Kat Shamapande, Director, Professional Development, NASBP and Mark McCallum, CEO, NASBP

On this episode, we are joined by Michael Pitre of Gray Surety to discuss electronic signature. We talk through e-signature options, the best practices, and what makes this a safe and reliable option. Michael also shares the reasons his surety company embraced this innovation as well as other innovations that might be on the horizon. Hosted by: Kat Shamapande, Director, Professional Development, NASBP and Mark McCallum, CEO, NASBP

On this episode Jason Terrell of The Institutes, NASBP Past President Larry McMahon of Alliant Insurance Services, and Ralph Pulver of Travelers join us to share some background and insights on The Institutes AFSB designation and to discuss the value it has had on their careers. Check out the links below for more information on The Institutes, the AFSB designation, the CPCU designation, and NASBP’s William J. Angell Surety Schools, all of which are mentioned in this episode. Hosted by: Kat Shamapande, Director, Professional Development, NASBP and Mark McCallum, CEO, NASBP

I am sure many of us have seen disputes arise at the end of a project between subcontractors and general contractors regarding offsets. On this episode we will be talking through what offsets are and limiting the right of offsets. To chat about this with us today we have Lauren McLaughlin a Partner and Raziye Andican an Associate both with the firm of Smith Currie. You can also find more information on this topic in their article, “Limiting the Right of Offset: Is it the Start of a New Trend?”  Hosted by: Kat Shamapande, Director, Professional Development, NASBP and Mark McCallum, CEO, NASBP

On this episode, Lawrence LeClair the Director of Government Relations at NASBP, and Michael Oscar the Director of Government Relations at the American Subcontractors Association (ASA) joins us to discuss the Construction Industry Procurement Coalition (CIPC). We discuss the importance of coalitions, the founding of CIPC, its successes and future legislative, regulatory and congressional matters. Find out about NASBP’s Governments Relations activities and resources as well as ASA’s Government Relations activities and resources. Hosted by: Kat Shamapande, Director, Professional Development, NASBP and Mark McCallum, CEO, NASBP

On this episode, Lawrence LeClair the Director of Government Relations at NASBP and Ed Mortimer the Vice President of Transportation and Infrastructure at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce joins us to discuss the U.S. Chamber’s response to America’s infrastructure challenges. We discuss the importance of investing in American’s roads, bridges, mass transit systems, air and sea ports, and water infrastructure as critical national assets that drive growth, jobs, safety, and global competitiveness and where it stands both at the State and Federal Level. Ed describes bipartisan efforts that are underway to secure the solvency of the highway trust fund dedicated to funding such infrastructure projects while also highlighting the need and importance of obtaining private infrastructure investments in the form of public-private partnerships (P3’s). Find out more about the U.S. Chamber’s efforts and access resources on Let’s Rebuild America. Hosted by: Kat Shamapande, Director, Professional Development, NASBP and Mark McCallum, CEO, NASBP

On this episode, Dr. Will Miller, keynote presenter at NASBPS’ November 2020 Virtual Event, joins us to share some great tips on coping with stress during the pandemic crisis and gives us a preview of the valuable information we can look forward to hearing more about more in-depth on the NASBP 2020 November Virtual Event: Managing Stress and What’s Next. Don’t forget to register now and remember all NASBP Virtual Events are free for Members, Affiliates and Associates and for just $179 for non-members. Hosted by: Kat Shamapande, Director, Professional Development, NASBP and Mark McCallum, CEO, NASBP