James J. “Buck” Bovenzi
October 29, 1944 – July 17, 2014
NASBP was saddened to learn that NASBP activistJames J. “Buck” Bovenzi, whose career in the surety industry spanned more than 35 years, passed away July 17, at the age of 69. Bovenzi started his career in the industry as an underwriter with Travelers in Dallas, andthen took a position with Houston General as their bond manager, seguing to a manager position at Reliance. In 1980 he became a bond producer for Ordway-Saunders of Amarillo, Texas. Later, Ordway-Saunders became HRH and then Willis Insurance Company. He was with Willis until 2013.
NASBP Third Vice President Howard Cowan, who is President of Cowan-Hill Bond Agency, Inc. in Lubbock, Texas, said many surety professionals in west Texas knew Bovenzi and will miss him. Cowan remarked how Bovenzi was a good friend and an outstanding athlete in several sports including football:
I was first introduced to Buck in 1961 when his high school football team from Shreveport, Louisiana played the mighty Haynesville Golden Tornados. Buck ran over me and didn’t even bother to slow down! Buck went on to Baylor University on a football scholarship, while I went to Louisiana Tech as a philosophy major. Our paths then intersected in Dallas, Texas as we both started our surety careers there. Buck started with Travelers. We then both ended up in west Texas as Buck joined Ordway-Saunders in Amarillo.
Steve Lapp, CPCU, Senior Vice President of Willis of Texas, Inc. in Amarillo, Texas, said at the office, Bovenzi was known for being amiable and engaging with his colleagues:
Buck was a larger-than-life figure–even to us that worked with him every day. He was the ‘go-to’ guy in the office, not only for surety, but insurance, sports, and life in general. He loved to travel and play golf. Buck kept his sense of humor to the end, making everyone laugh even during tough times. We all lost a great man. Buck will be truly missed!
Joe W. “Jay” Hale III, Managing Director of Construction Services of Travelers in Richardson, Texas, said Bovenzi was an industry colleague who excelled at keeping his clients’ surety partners informed:
Buck was pretty much a constant figure my whole tenure in the industry from 1980, when I started my career. Buck was a wonderful communicator and worked at keeping both contractor and surety apprised of their respective positions. He was unpretentious, but you soon learned that this transplanted west Texas agent had a firm grasp of surety, construction accounting, and contract terms and conditions. There was a high degree of trust among underwriters he worked with, because he kept you well-informed. You knew Buck was fully engaged with his accounts, as he either spoke with them daily and or had direct face-time. Buck could make me laugh like few others. Perhaps his sense of humor was equally on par with the above referenced skill set, which also truly defined James “Buck” Bovenzi.
