A Special Person and A Special Moment for NASBP

The beginning of July 2018 marks a special celebration in the life of the National Association of Surety Bond Producers, a milestone that many members would likely be unaware of if I did not relate this information to you. But for doing so, I will have to ask for forgiveness from the person who is celebrating and is being celebrated. Anyone who knows Koula Korson, NASBP’s Managing Director, Operations and Finance, knows that she hates being the center of attention. And my use of the word “hates” is decidedly an understatement. So I will take a slight twist on the phrase “center of attention” with regard to Koula; that is, we need to pay attention to the person who has been at the “center” of NASBP for 40 years, as of July 1, Koula will realize her 40th work anniversary at NASBP. If the core of a successful enterprise is its people, then Koula has been our constant keystone, locking the disparate pieces of the organization in place so it could advance and be sustained over the years. Much of our success has resided in her energy, efforts, and evident caring. In today’s age of job transience, it is hard to imagine a person who has “had the back” of an organization for four decades.

Although I am sure there are many members and colleagues who would dispute me, I have been an outsized, perhaps the greatest, recipient of her gifts. I had had a significant career in various capacities in association work before coming to NASBP; however, NASBP gave me many “firsts” of my career–the first time as an association general counsel and the first time as an association chief executive officer. In navigating each of these “firsts,” I always had and continue to have an incredible partner in Koula. When I was managing outside litigation as a newly-arrived general counsel and the stress that that brings, Koula would look in on me each day to see how I was doing and if there was anything that she could do for me. When I accepted the responsibility as the chief staff executive, I am sure that I wore the outward expression of “what did I just get myself into” for the first weeks, and Koula let me know that we were in this together come hell or high water. Those are moments for which I am deeply appreciative. I know that many others have experienced similar moments, recipients of the compassion, caring, and empathy that comes naturally to Koula and that she readily bestows.

Koula and I share a saying together, “It’s all good,” something we say to each other rather frequently to cover the many circumstances that naturally arise in the day-to-day operations of an organization, because at the end of each work day we both know that challenges will be overcome and successes realized and appreciated. Hey Koula, “it’s all good.” Actually, Koula, “it’s so very good,” as we have had the benefit of you in the life of NASBP these past 40 years! Thanks for continuing to share your gifts with all of us at NASBP. You have my and our heartfelt congratulations on this momentous anniversary! If you wish to extend your own congratulations, Koula can be reached at kkorson@nasbp.org.