Let's Get Surety

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!