President's Message

The Strengths of our Industry's Community is Evident

My schedule serving as NASBP President has been full and extremely gratifying. Last month will give you a snapshot. I, along with many surety agents and company people primarily from the west coast, attended an annual dinner in Los Angeles held by the Beavers, a heavy engineering construction association. At the Beavers event, the lobby of the JW Marriott at the Staples Center was a “who’s who” of the surety industry and a clear indicator that the construction community has weathered this financial storm and that our industry is alive and well. This is similar to the event that NASBP colleagues on the east coast attend in New York City that is held by another heavy construction industry organization, The Moles. From Los Angeles, I went to Miami to attend The Hartford’s bond managers’ meeting. There, I enjoyed seeing familiar faces that I had crossed paths with or worked with during my days on the company side in New Jersey, New York, Kansas, Ohio, Chicago, and California. The experience reminded me how much I enjoy being part of this truly niche business composed of a small community of dedicated professionals.

To close the month, I had the opportunity to attend and to teach once again at the NASBP William J. Angell Surety School, which was held in Houston. Each time I do, I am amazed by the number of new entrants into the surety bond business and by the diverse background of and distances traveled by these students. We taught students who had been lawyers, bankers, and contractors and who traveled from as far away as China, England, and Brazil. They are now joining our industry. If you are concerned that we are not training professionals to fill our positions when we retire from this business, put your fears to rest. Many students at the School had just joined the surety or construction industry within the last few months.

One of the reasons for the success of the NASBP School is the enthusiasm that the volunteer teachers’ exude for this business. I do not say this just because I am one of the faculty. I witness how, during the School, the faculty talk about and express their passion for our industry, and the students notice and comment on this contagious and optimistic energy, as well. Fellow teachers, I want to congratulate you on another great job and to thank you for all you do for NASBP and the industry.

As I stated at the NASBP Regional Meetings this past fall, NASBP staff members are here to help, and the message has been heard. In the last few months, NASBP has responded to members’ requests for help on various matters, like long-term warranties, onerous bond forms and contract language, and many other issues. The speed at which NASBP responds always has been very good, but we have increased this greatly with the addition of our new in-house General Counsel, Martha Perkins, and Manager of State Relations, Shannon Crawford, that in and of itself is, as they say, “worth the price of admission.”  All our staff in DC does a great job and helps Members, Affiliates, and Associates on a weekly, if not daily, basis.

Heather and I are looking forward to the NASBP Annual Meeting & Expo at the JW Marriott in San Antonio, TX on April 27 to 30 and to having a chance to celebrate this great business with all of you, our NASBP colleagues and friends!