Are you curious about a dynamic and rewarding career you may not have heard of? Join us for a conversation with Darrel Lamb, Senior Vice President at Old Republic Surety. We discuss the entrepreneurial spirit, the importance of relationship-building, and the real-world impact of careers in surety. Discover why surety professionals find their jobs so fulfilling and how they contribute to community development, solve problems, and thrive in this specialized industry!

With special guest:

Darrel Lamb, Senior Vice President – Business Development, Old Republic Surety Company

Hosted by:

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

Sponsored by Old Republic!

Curious about reinsurance and its impacts in the surety market? Join us on this episode as we chat with experts Brian Fiore of Aon, Stephen Haney of Chubb Surety, and Jeff Ryan of Partner Re to uncover what reinsurance is, why it is important to the surety market, and how it can drive growth, manage risk, and support major infrastructure projects. Plus, don’t miss a lighthearted debate on the best Philly cheesesteak! Check out episode #135 Unveiling America’s Infrastructure: Progress, Problems and Possibilities for more about the latest ASCE Infrastructure Report Card that was mentioned during this episode.

With special guests:

• Brian Fiore, Senior Managing Director, Aon
• Stephen Haney, Division President, North America Surety, and Chief Underwriting Officer, Global Surety, Chubb Surety
• Jeff Ryan, Business Unit Leader, Financial Risks, Partner Re

Hosted by:

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

Sponsored by Old Republic!

Accounting standards can have quite an impact on surety, but how is the surety industry involved in shaping those standards? Dive into this episode of Let's Get Surety as we talk with David Pesce, Head of Surety with Munich Re Specialty - North America, about the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and its Private Company Council (PCC). Discover how these groups shape financial reporting and why and how surety professionals can get involved. Tune in for insights, examples, and how you can be part of the process!

With special guest:

David Pesce, Head of Surety, Munich Re Specialty - North America

Hosted by:

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

Sponsored by Old Republic!

Curious how careers grow in the surety industry? Join us as we chat with Heidi Rodzen of Skillings Shaw & Associates, Matt Curran of Sompo, and David Hoover of Acrisure, as they share their real-world paths into surety, the power of mentorship, leadership insights, and how to build your future in this dynamic, relationship-driven field. Get more information about NASBP's Surety Schools that were mentioned during this episode.

With special guests:

Heidi Rodzen, Assistant Vice President of Surety Operations, Skillings Shaw & Associates, Inc., Matt Curran, EVO, Head of Surety, Sompo, and David Hoover, Senior Vice President, Acrisure, South Division

Hosted by:

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

Sponsored by EMC Bond!

What is the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, how did it originate, and where do we currently stand? Join us for this episode where industry experts unpack the BEAD program, the policy change to allow for performance bonds as an alternative to letters of credit for required security, and what surety professionals need to know and consider. You'll hear how surety professionals can approach BEAD grant recipients and internet service providers so they understand the advantages of bonding. Check out the BEAD Program Surety Bond Information Kit mentioned during this episode and subscribe to NASBP's Focal Point to stay up-to-date on BEAD and other key legislative and regulatory developments related to surety.

With special guests:

Lawrence LeClair, Director, Government Relations, NASBP, Philip Macres, Principal, Klein Law Group, PLLC, Cory Sanderson, Home Office Underwriting Manager, The Hartford, and Joseph Henson, Senior Consultant, Widelity

Hosted by:

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

Sponsored by EMC Bond!

Curious how a fifth-generation insurance professional found his unexpected passion as a surety bond producer? Join us as we get to know NASBP 2025-2026 President Robert Coon. Robert shares stories regarding his career, journey as an NASBP member, volunteer, and leader, and how his experiences led him to his theme, “Building Better.” Follow the links below to get more information on these topics mentioned by Robert during this episode: the producer's toolkit, joining a NASBP Committee, and more information on attending NASBP Fall meetings. And, if you share Robert's passion for the efficiencies gained through technology advancements, check out these related episodes and Virtual Seminars.

With special guest:

Robert Coon, Vice President - Surety, Scott Insurance 

Hosted by:

Kat Shamapande, Director, Professional Development, NASBP and Mark McCallum, CEO, NASBP Sponsored by EMC Bond! 

Questions about how rising tariffs impact customs bonds? Join us as we chat with Michelle Lucaccioni of Tokio Marine HCC - Surety Group and John Sheppard of C.A. Shea & Company, Inc., as they uncover customs bond trends, skyrocketing bond demands, insufficiencies, and critical risk strategies you can't ignore. Gain expert insights on how to manage these risks proactively—this is definitely a must-listen for surety professionals navigating today’s unpredictable trade environment! For a more in-depth update, check out the NASBP Virtual Seminar "Navigating the Impact of Tariffs on Customs Surety," or listen to "Episode #109 Decoding Customs Bonds" and get a basic overview of customs bonding.

With special guests:

Michelle Lucaccioni, Vice President, Tokio Marine HCC - Surety Group and John J. Sheppard II, Executive Vice President, C.A. Shea & Company, Inc.

Hosted by:

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

Sponsored by EMC Bond!

Curious how America’s infrastructure is really holding up? Join hosts Kat Shamapande and Mark McCallum as they dive into the latest Infrastructure Report Card with ASCE Executive Director Tom Smith. Hear about surprising progress, looming challenges, funding gaps, and how civil engineers and policymakers, and surety professionals can collaborate for a more resilient future. Check out the full report for more information.

With special guest:

Thomas W. Smith III, Executive Director, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)

Hosted by:

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

Sponsored by EMC Bond!

Feeling overwhelmed by constant change and uncertainty? In this dynamic episode of "Let's Get Surety," we talk with business growth, sales, and leadership expert, author, and speaker Meridith Elliott Powell about building mental fitness, powerful resilience, and relentless vision in uncertain times. Using vivid stories and practical strategies, Meredith shares how to transform anxiety into action and vision into success. Don’t miss these game-changing insights!

With special guest:

Meridith Elliott Powell, Business Growth, Sales, and Leadership Expert

Hosted by:

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

Sponsored by EMC Bond!

How will the recent Executive Order 14173, titled "Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity," affect federal contractors? In this episode, we explore this important issue with legal experts Stephen Irving and Tara Munder of the law firm of Peckar & Abramson. They explain the intent of the order, its impact on affirmative action policies, what businesses need to do to remain compliant, and issues related to enforcement. With companies trying to discern their “go forward” strategies and legal challenges to this and related Executive Orders mounting, this episode begins to unpack these complexities.

With special guests:

Stephen E. Irving, Co-Vice Chair - Labor & Employment Practice, Partner, Peckar & Abramson, P.C. and Tara R. Munder, Associate, Peckar & Abramson, P.C.

Hosted by:

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

Sponsored by Old Republic!