Our Achievements and Successes in a Truly Unprecedented Time

When I look back at this past year, I see achievements and successes in a truly unprecedented time. Our pursuits were in a different form and fashion, but we can all put 2020 in the rearview mirror knowing that we fulfilled our mission at NASBP.

How did we do it? That’s a good question. The answer: Involvement. For every initiative or accomplishment, the NASBP staff and our volunteer members were working tirelessly behind the scenes to make things happen for the benefit of our Association, our industry, and you.

Our first joint virtual Fly-in with the SFAA was a great success with increased participation across the country. Thanks to Brian Ayres of NASBP member L A Surety Solutions, who is the Government Relations Committee Chair, and to Larry LeClair, NASBP Director of Government Relations, for all their hard work and willingness to embrace a new way to meet with our elected representatives in DC. Our voices were heard, and more members got involved in our all-important advocacy efforts.

To stay connected and provide professional development content, we launched the first series of NASBP Virtual Events over the summer. Thanks to Kat Shamapande, NASBP Director of Professional Development, and Bethany Jones, Meeting Planning Consultant, for allowing all of us to stay present and engaged when in-person meetings weren’t possible.

We know that social media is impacting all of us more and more every day. NASBP unveiled the “Be Guaranteed to Succeed” Toolkit 2.0, a resource, free to our members, to help each one of us not only with our social media presence, but also with promoting our industry, our Association, and the value of the professional surety bond producer. This was only accomplished due to the efforts of Zach Mendelson of NASBP member EPIC and Michael Specht of NASBP member INSURICA Southwest, our Chair and Vice Chair of the NASBP Industry Relations Committee. Kathy Hoffman, NASBP Director of Communications, provided her creativity and guiding hand to make sure that the NASBP brings value to its members.

I know that we have all heard about blockchain. Jenni Waggoner of NASBP member M.J. Schuetz Insurance Services has volunteered to be the NASBP member representative for The Institutes Riskstream Collaborative Surety Power of Attorney Lab, a joint effort among key industry players to study the use of blockchain in our industry. If we don’t get involved, we get left behind. Along with Jenni, Steve Karlin, NASBP Director of Technology & Membership Services, provides the technological perspective that we need to face the challenges that lie ahead.

Most of you probably don’t know this, but during the pandemic shutdowns and shelter-in-place orders, the NASBP increased its visibility and grassroots efforts. Mark McCallum, NASBP CEO; Martha Perkins, NASBP General Counsel; and Larry LeClair presented (virtually) to various local surety associations around the country. We provided a national perspective to these local organizations. Thanks to these NASBP staff, NASBP increased its presence among new members of our industry and potential new members for the NASBP.

While all of this was happening, we had to continue to manage the basic business functions of the NASBP. I’m grateful that Robert Coon of NASBP member Scott Insurance, who is Finance Committee Chair, and Maria Roginski, NASBP Director of Finance and Operations, kept a close eye on our finances. This has allowed us to look forward knowing that we have a strong association infrastructure to remain the voice of the surety industry.

And to Dasha Harris, NASBP Assistant Director of Membership Services; Scott Jeffrey, NASBP Government Relations Advisor; Kathryn Doran, NASBP Administrative and Publications Manager; and Hadi Heneveld, NASBP Education and Registration Specialist, my personal thanks for doing the heavy lifting that allowed me to juggle my NASBP duties and my day job without too much stress or strain. I thought it would be good to hear directly from a few of our members.

“Working on the NASBP Automation and Technology Committee has allowed me to attempt to develop very close connections with people working in various areas related to our profession. Being ‘in the trenches’ has allowed me to witness firsthand NASBP’s commitment to provide valuable training, resources, and networking for its members and affiliates.” — Jenni Waggoner of M.J. Schuetz Insurance Services

“Being involved in the NASBP Small and Emerging Business Committee is second to none. The dedication of our membership to jump up and do their part to make our industry better is one of many reasons why the NASBP is such a recognized and successful trade association.” — Chris Downey of Downey & Co. and Chair of the Small and Emerging Business Committee

“Participating on the NASBP Virtual Seminar Editorial Board has given me the opportunity to work with an amazing group of fellow brokers and surety company professionals to help create Virtual Seminars that educate our members on surety, marketing, and self-growth topics. I am really proud of the seminars that we sponsor and the number of members we can reach around the country.” — Maureen O’Connell of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. and Chair of the NASBP Virtual Seminar Editorial Board.

Back in October 2019, at our Mid-Year Board Meeting, I came up with my theme, “Must Be Present to Win.” Back then, none of us could have imagined how difficult it would be to simply be present for anything. But we did it. We did it together.

I wish to say “thank you” to all who have been involved, participated, and lent a helping hand. There’s too many to thank in one column, so when I see you at the next NASBP in-person meeting, it would be great to have a short chat and look back on what we accomplished and all that we have to look forward to in the future.

Growing up, I wanted to be either a jazz saxophonist or a professional tennis player. Fortunately, I wasn’t that good at either and I found surety . . . or maybe surety found me. Regardless, the end result is that I spent these last 12 months in the most unusual, challenging, unexpected, but ultimately satisfying year in my career.

The NASBP will always be a team effort. Our shared success is a product of the involvement of all of you. As I sign off as President of the NASBP, I know that there are great things ahead for all of us. Our incoming President and the new Executive Committee will take us to the next level . . . and I can’t wait!

Mark Munekawa is Senior Vice President – Surety of Woodruff Sawyer in San Francisco, CA. He can be reached at mmunekawa@woodruffsawyer.com and 415.399.6482.