NASBP Obtains Goal of Expanding Outreach to Surety Professionals in Northeast

On November 14, NASBP presented a national perspective of the surety industry at the 2012 New England Surety Conference and accomplished its goal of providing insight into the numerous benefits of NASBP membership to approximately 130 surety professionals in the Northeast. NASBP Members Mike Regan and Bette Botticello and NASBP Affiliate Shawn Dennett helped NASBP organize the event, which NASBP sponsored and held in Worcester, Massachusetts. Their liaisons with the Surety Association of Massachusetts and the Connecticut Surety Association helped assure strong attendance of NASBP Members, NASBP Affiliates, and nonmember local surety professionals.NASBP CEO Mark McCallum and Director of Government Relations Larry LeClair provided an analysis of current surety issues with national implications. In addition, McCallum described the importance of grassroots involvement on these issues and why surety professionals’ active participation in their industry trade association is critical. Rob Duke, Director of Underwriting and Counsel of the Surety and Fidelity Association of America (SFAA), also presented and described insights and perspectives of sureties. In addition, Tamara Murray, Underwriting Marketing Specialist at the Denver Office of Surety Guarantees of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), provided an overview of the changes in the SBA Surety Bond Guarantee Program and explained how well the improvements are working. In his role as NASBP Regional Director for Region 11, Mike Regan moderated the event.Throughout the program, surety professionals, including NASBP Member Tom Durkin, shared what they have observed happening in their markets. A networking reception was held immediately following the program. See the pictures from the event, below.