

Let's Get Surety
National Association of Surety Bond Producers
If you have ever gone to a school or a park, attended a large sporting event, rode on a bus, driven on a highway, bought imported goods, or sent a wire transfer, you have been protected by the surety product. On the second and fourth Tuesday of each month Kat Shamapande, the host of Let's Get Surety will be joined by fun co-hosts and exciting and engaging guests who will share their stories, insights, and expertise on the world of surety and how it affects our everyday lives! If you are interested in learning more about surety and surety bonds, this is the podcast for you!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 13, 2022 • 24min
#77 Raising Awareness of US Infrastructure and Transportation Needs With TRIP
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

Nov 22, 2022 • 28min
#76 Fuel Your Professional Passion With NASBP's Educational Opportunities
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

Nov 8, 2022 • 29min
#75 The Ins and Outs of Delegated Design and Design Assist
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

Oct 25, 2022 • 29min
#74 Thinking Back Looking Forward: NASBP and the Surety Industry With NASBP Past Presidents, Episode 4
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

Oct 11, 2022 • 35min
#73 The Considerable Advantages of Industry-Standard Construction Contracts
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

Sep 27, 2022 • 30min
#72 Strange Economic Times: A Construction Industry Outlook
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

Sep 13, 2022 • 26min
#71 Exciting Innovations From SBA To Help Bond Agents and Small Contractors
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

Aug 23, 2022 • 38min
#70 Thinking Back Looking Forward: NASBP and the Surety Industry With NASBP Past Presidents, Episode 3
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

Aug 9, 2022 • 39min
#69 A Conversation on Construction Management and CMAA!
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

Jul 26, 2022 • 31min
#68 Thinking Back & Looking Forward: Conversations With NASBP Past Presidents, Episode 2
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


