Let's Get Surety

On this episode, we are joined by Isaias "Cy" Alba and Matt Feinberg, partners at the law firm of PilieroMazza PLLC, who discuss the significance of the False Claims Act in relation to construction firms and their surety professionals. Cy and Matt review what the False Claims Act is and why it's important for contractors, subcontractors, sureties, and bond producers to be well informed by identifying real-world cases of FCA violations. Additionally, Cy and Matt call attention to ways in which the risks of FCA claims and attendant damages can be mitigated. 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 Todd Regan, a Partner at Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP and participant on NASBP's Attorney Advisory Council, to discuss recent case law in which the court held that, if the obligee does not default the subcontractor, then the obligee cannot recover under the bond. We talk through the Arch Insurance Co. v. Graphic Builders case and discuss how the court's ruling provides an important illustration for surety professionals and contractors to consider. Hosted by: Kat Shamapande, Director, Professional Development, NASBP Sponsored by Old Republic Surety!

On this episode, we are joined by attorney and former construction company executive Bill Ernstrom, of Ernstrom ADR, to discuss elements of risk management and the critical importance of reading and understanding the construction contract. Bill remarks on the surprising revelation that often construction contracts are not read by parties and on why it is so important to both read and continue to reference the construction contract throughout a project. Bill also relates the importance of standardized contracts, like those published by ConsensusDocs, as baselines or starting points for contract negotiations. 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 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!