NASBP President J. Spencer Miller heartily welcomed everyone to the NASBP’s 69th Annual Meeting that was held May 15-18 at the famous Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, CO. Miller thanked everyone for their support in participating in the Meeting themed “Passionate Advocacy” and announced that the Meeting’s attendance surpassed the previous year’s high attendance by an additional 5%. The Meeting provided a line-up of outstanding presenters and programs that included Keynote Speaker Troy Calhoun, the Head Football Coach of the U.S. Air Force Academy. (See picture below with Calhoun (left) and Cashion (right)) View the 2011 NASBP Annual Meeting Highlight Photo Gallery by clicking here.
		Miller thanked his Meeting Planning Committee Chair Matthew Cashion and the Committee members for organizing four days of events and educational sessions. The well-attended breakout sessions covered the following topics: how to harness all parties’ talents when using the Integrated Project Delivery system; FASB proposed changes that impact GAAP, specifically revenue recognition; opportunities in pursuing commercial surety as a line of business; and three contractors’ perspectives of today’s construction work. In addition, NASBP offered a well-received continuing education program presented by David Pesce of Berkley Surety that addressed how bond producers can help clients obtain bonds in a tough economy.
		Attendees intently listened as NASBP CEO Mark McCallum (pictured left) made presentations on the State of the Association and the State of Industry.
		McCallum then moderated a panel of surety industry leaders, who described their insights on the surety market and their reaction to results from NASBP’s interviews and surveys. The panel included Mike Noe of Travelers Bond, Larry Taylor of Merchants Bonding Company, and John Boulton of Swiss Reinsurance America Corporation (pictured on stage).

During the Tuesday General Session, NASBP President Miller honored Carl Newman, who recently retired from Parker Smith Feek, with the prestigious John ‘Jack’ J. Curtin, Jr. President’s Award. Stuart O’Farrell also of Parker Smith Feek accepted the Award on behalf of Carl Newman (Newman is pictured to the right with his wife Susan).

Miller described how Newman has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to advancing the objectives of the industry and the Association through his devotion of time, energy, and resources. Miller said, “Carl has dedicated 30 years to the surety industry securing bonding for the construction of some of the largest projects throughout the Northwestern states and Alaska as a broker and an underwriter.” Newman served as a NASBP Regional Vice President, a NASBP Director of the Board, and a NASBP Executive Committee Ex Officio member.

In response, Newman said he was pleased to be given this honor. He stated, “It was a wonderful surprise to be selected by Spence Miller for the Jack Curtin President’s Award. This means a lot to me. I can honestly say that the 30 years I was privileged to spend in this business have been truly rewarding and gratifying, an experience that has been greatly enhanced through membership and involvement in NASBP. So with that, here’s to the Miller Act and the other genius who came up with non-contract surety too.”

Newman received a framed certificate personally inscribed in two-toned color calligraphy highlighted in gold and signed by Miller, as well as, a specifically minted NASBP President’s medallion customized with the NASBP logo and made of 2-troy oz. .999 fine silver.

Past recipients of the John ‘Jack’ J. Curtin, Jr. President’s Award include:

• 2007 – John ‘Jack’ J. Curtin, Jr.
• 2009 – Matthew Cashion, Jr.
• 2009 – Howard Cowan
• 2010 – Koula Korson

The Award, named the “John ‘Jack’ J. Curtin, Jr. President’s Award,” honors an individual, who is chosen by the NASBP President for their outstanding service contributions during the President’s term to the Association and to the surety industry. The award was first presented in 2007 to John ‘Jack’ J. Curtin, Jr., for whom the award is named.

NASBP would like to again thank all of the generous sponsors for their tremendous support of NASBP at the Annual Meeting. Liberty Mutual Surety Travelers Bond Berkley Surety Group CNA Surety International Fidelity Insurance Co. Lexon Insurance Company Zurich Surety Arch Insurance Group The Hartford Chubb Group of Insurance Companies Guaranteed Company of North America USA The Hanover Insurance Company Wells Fargo Capitol Insurance Companies Employers Mutual Casualty Company Merchants Bonding Company Old Republic Surety Company Western Insurance Company Contractors Bonding & Insurance Company e-Surety Granite Re, Inc. Insco Dico Group SureTec Insurance Company The Gray Casualty & Surety Company Ullico Casualty Group and a special thanks to the 2011 Associate Sponsors: Crowe Horwath LLP E.F. Alvarez & Co. GALLINA LLP Mixner & Company NASBP also thanks all of the exhibitors for displaying their booths and participating in NASBP’s 2011 Annual Meeting. The 2011 NASBP Expo included the following 17 exhibitors: Blackwell Consulting Services Blair Business Systems 17 Bond-Pro, LLC CNA Surety Construction Industry CPAs/Consultants Association (CICPAC) FMI Corporation Focus! On Innovation, Inc. Foundation Software Inc Guardian Group, Inc. Insurance Automation Group InSure Vision Technologies Liberty Mutual Surety Mercator Risk Services NACS Escrow NASBP SuretyConnect Rosenberg & Parker of Canada, Inc. US DOT West Central SBTRC To access each of their web sites, visit the NASBP Online Expo by clicking here.