Larry Cogdill 
April 22, 1960 – January 22, 2023

It is with great sadness that NASBP announces the passing of Larry Cogdill, 62, Senior Vice President, Surety for NASBP member Venbrook Insurance Services, LLC of San Diego, CA.

Mike Thomas, Vice President, Surety at Venbrook, said, “Larry and I worked together for 24 years starting with Cogdill Bonding back in 1999, and our association developed into a life-long friendship. Larry was a faithful steward of the surety industry. It was his life’s commitment. His 39-year contribution to the industry, his dominating presence, and his contagious personality will be greatly missed by so many. Larry earned the respect of his clients, markets, and peers over the years.” 

Lawrence F. McMahon, Executive Vice President, Surety Manager of Construction Services Group of NASBP member Alliant Insurance Services, said, “Larry was one of a kind and very respected by clients and sureties. After college, he started at Seaboard Surety and always stayed in touch with his first mentor, Bob Huntsberger–by catching up regularly and by taking him to lunch yearly until Bob’s passing. Larry was a fixture at any surety event and loved the industry.” 

Mike Destiche, Construction Surety Manager at NASBP affiliate Chubb, said, “I am proud to have known Larry on both a professional and personal level for over 20 years. He possessed an impressive set of business skills leading to a long and successful surety career. His ability to relate with just about anybody and lifelong dedication to the industry were notable. Even more admirable was his compassion for people and kindheartedness. Larry lived life to the fullest and will truly be missed.”

Ramona Seidman, Underwriting Director at NASBP affiliate Argo Surety, part of Argo Group, said, “Larry loved being a surety bond producer; and his dedication to his career was evident in the care he put into building a solid book of business over 30 years and his strong market and client relationships. Despite experiencing recent complications from the heart surgery he had in July, Larry worked up until the day of his passing. His numerous clients and colleagues will remember how he was a decent, kind, and generous spirit, who enjoyed helping people and making them laugh.”

She added, “Larry’s two favorite seasons were football and Del Mar horse racing. He had such great memories of hosting his friends, colleagues, and clients at the Turf Club in Del Mar. His main focus was always to make sure everyone was having a good time and happy. On a personal note, Larry was the most positive and spontaneous person I have ever known. His spontaneity is the reason I have our two rescue poodle mixes, Beau and Belle. Larry adored those pups and loved to take them on car rides and to the beach. Larry would brag about those pups to anyone who would listen.”

Larry obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and his first surety job was with Seaboard Surety in 1984. Later, in 1988, he earned an MBA from California State University, Long Beach. He was hired by Corroon and Black in Pasadena, where he achieved Exceptional Producer Council Awards for two consecutive years. It was during this time that he produced several of the accounts that remained with him up to the time of his passing. Larry moved back down to San Diego in 1989 to the Corroon & Black/Willis office and later left to join Barney and Barney. His partnership with Wooditch prompted him in 1997 to start Cogdill Bonding, which he ultimately sold back to Willis in 2003. Larry joined Venbrook Insurance Services in 2010 and was with Venbrook until his passing.

In addition to his business partner, Mike Thomas, who joined Larry at Cogdill Bonding, Larry had four key bond manager/VPs that worked with him over the duration of his career. Larry recognized that they were an integral part of his success to effectively provide customer service and retain his clients, and he was always grateful for their loyalty to him. Ingrid Crosby started with Larry in 1988 and stayed until her retirement in July 2007; Brooke Lafrenz joined in 1994 and remained until her retirement in October 2022; Joy Rogers joined in 2001; and Audrey Rodriguez joined in 2010. Both Audrey and Joy continue to assist Mike Thomas in carrying on Larry’s legacy. 

Larry is survived by his mother, Sherrie Chaney; two sons, Lance and Brett Cogdill; sister, Sherisa Cogdill; and his life partner for 14 years, Ramona Seidman.

A celebration of life for Larry will be held Thursday, March 23, 2023 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Tom Ham’s Lighthouse, 2150 Harbor Island Drive, San Diego, CA. For more information, contact Ramona at ramona.seidman@argosurety.com or Audrey Rodriguez at ARodriguez@venbrook.com. 

Please consider making a donation in Larry’s memory to the San Diego Humane Society or Frosted Faces.

The NASBP Leadership and staff extend their deepest condolences to Larry’s family, colleagues, and friends.