Want to revisit some of the most popular moments from Let’s Get Surety®? In this special episode, host Kat Shamapande counts down the top five most downloaded episodes from the past five years! From the significance of relationships in surety to innovations in e-signatures, these episodes have captivated listeners worldwide. Join us for clips, reflections, and a celebration of the evolving landscape of the surety industry. Don't miss this nostalgic trip down memory lane!

Counting down from the 5th most downloaded to the most downloaded episode:

5. Episode #59: I’ll Be There for You - The Importance of Relationships in Surety
4. Episode #1: A Look at NASBP's Be Guaranteed to Succeed Campaign and Surety Stories
3. Episode #84: Reinsurance: Understanding Its Importance to Surety*
2. Episode #30: E-Signature in Surety
1. Episode #90: Growing and Fostering Women’s Surety Careers

*Disclaimer from Andrew Grey: The views and opinions expressed here may include projections based on assumptions and forecasts and is intended for information purposes only. Nothing that I am about to say is intended to be legal, underwriting, financial or any other type of professional advice, and listeners are encouraged to consult with his or her own counsel or other advisors to verify the accuracy and completeness of any information used and to determine its applicability to the recipient’s particular circumstances. See full disclaimer on the episode page.

Hosted by:

Kat Shamapande, Director, Professional Development, NASBP

Sponsored by Old Republic!

In this episode of Let’s Get Surety®, the discussion centers on the trends in bid protests at the Government Accountability Office or GAO. Guest Sarah Carpenter, a partner at Smith Currie Oles, delves into the federal bid protest process, including where to file a bid protest and the types of relief one can seek. Sarah also outlines trends that can be seen in the GAO's report to Congress including a greater than 50 percent effectiveness rate, and common categories or types of bid protests that are outlined in the GAO's report. Check out Sarah's NASBP Blog post, "Key Takeaways from the GAO’s Bid Protest Report to Congress for Fiscal Year 2024" for more information.

With special guest:

Sarah Carpenter, Partner, Smith Currie Oles

Hosted by:

Kat Shamapande, Director, Professional Development, NASBP and Mark McCallum, CEO, NASBP

Sponsored by Old Republic!

Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a leader in the surety industry? NASBP is excited to continue the series of episodes exploring that question, titled “The Corner Office: Conversations with Surety Leaders.” In this episode, we are joined by Tim Mikolajewski, President at Liberty Mutual Surety. Tim shares his background and tips from his experiences for navigating a career in surety. Additionally, Tim speaks to opportunities and challenges in the surety industry both in the US and international surety markets.

With special guest:

Tim Mikolajewski, EVP Global Risk Solutions, President, Global Surety, Liberty Mutual Surety

Hosted by:

Kat Shamapande, Director, Professional Development, NASBP and Mark McCallum, CEO, NASBP

Sponsored by Old Republic!

In this episode of Let’s Get Surety®, we explore the fascinating and sometimes unusual world of commercial surety bonds with our guests, Amy Pascalide of Markel, and Rosa Martinez-Genzon of Anderson, McPharlin & Conners LLP. Amy and Rosa share their insights and approaches to some of these unusual bonds. They discuss how unique bonds, such as nail salon, child custody, cigarette vending machine, lottery, brewer, and even geoduck bonds, come into play in various situations. Additionally, they highlight how consumer protection and compliance often drive the creation of these "weird bonds."

With special guests:

Amy Pascalide, Esq., Senior Court Counsel, Markel and Rosa Martinez-Genzon, Partner/Los Angeles, Anderson, McPharlin & Conners LLP

Hosted by:

Kat Shamapande, Director, Professional Development, NASBP and Mark McCallum, CEO, NASBP

Sponsored by Old Republic!

In this episode of Let’s Get Surety®, we explore the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the construction industry and construction law with our guest Denis Serkin, a partner at Peckar & Abramson. Serkin emphasizes how AI is transforming the construction sector, despite its reputation for being resistant to change. He points out that AI tools are already significantly benefiting the design and supply chain aspects of construction. Although the adoption of AI technology may not happen swiftly, its eventual integration is set to influence every facet of the industry. Tune in to learn more about how AI is shaking up construction and construction law practices. Also check out the Virtual Seminar that Denis co-presented titled, "AI in Construction Law: Managing Risks and Opportunities" and these other great episodes discussing technology and AI.

With special guest:

Denis Serkin, Partner, Chair - International Practice, Peckar & Abramson

Hosted by:

Kat Shamapande, Director, Professional Development, NASBP and Mark McCallum, CEO, NASBP

Sponsored by Old Republic Surety!

In this episode of Let’s Get Surety®, we are joined by Kristen Sharpe, a partner at Crowe, LLP, to discuss the growing influence of technology and AI in the surety industry. Sharpe shares her insights on how the industry is moving towards automation and digitization, particularly by focusing on routine tasks to enhance efficiency and adapt to a more digital future in the post-COVID era. She emphasizes the importance of systems integration and recognizing what works best for different organizations. The discussion also covers the changes in work patterns during the pandemic, the evolving future workforce that has become accustomed to having Generative AI at their fingertips, and their expectations from the industry. To hear more, check out these other tech-focused episodes.

With special guest:

Kristen Sharpe, CPA, Partner, Financial Services Consulting, Crowe, LLP

Hosted by:

Kat Shamapande, Director, Professional Development, NASBP and Mark McCallum, CEO, NASBP

Sponsored by Old Republic Surety!

In this episode of Let’s Get Surety®, we are joined by NASBP's Director, Government Relations (GR) Larry LeClair, NASBP's GR Committee Chair, Alan Starks of Christensen Group Insurance, and GR Committee Vice Chair, Matt Cocco of Smith Brothers Insurance to discuss the Federal Legislative Fly-In, which is co-hosted by NASBP and SFAA. The Legislative Fly-In offers opportunities for surety professionals, as voting constituents, to discuss the importance of the surety product with their elected officials and/or their staff. These interactions not only boost understanding of the surety product but also demonstrate the industry's crucial role in the economy and job creation. We also discuss the many benefits of attending the Fly-In beyond advocating for the surety industry, such as great networking with other surety colleagues, educational programming, and even opportunities for sightseeing! Find out more about the upcoming Federal Legislative Fly-In and register to attend! Also, be sure to check out the Let's Get Surety Episode "Talking With Your Elected Officials About the Importance of the Surety Product!"

With special guests:

Larry LeClair, Director, Government Relations, NASBP, Alan Starks, Senior Vice President - Surety, Christensen Group Insurance, and Matt Cocco, Surety Risk Advisor, Partner, Smith Brothers Insurance

Hosted by:

Kat Shamapande, Director, Professional Development, NASBP and Mark McCallum, CEO, NASBP

Sponsored by Old Republic Surety!

In this episode of Let’s Get Surety®, we are joined by author, columnist, and keynote speaker Gene Marks to look at some of the challenges and opportunities facing small and medium businesses. Gene shares what some of the smartest and most experienced business leaders are doing to navigate these changes. He touches on the upcoming election, possible tax changes, labor issues, and technology, specifically preparing for and harnessing the power of generative AI. If you want to hear more on tax changes and cybersecurity in the age of AI, check out these past episodes: "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: Sunset in 2025 and Its Impact on Construction Services" and "Constructing Cybersecurity: Navigating Data Protection in the Construction Industry."

With special guest:

Gene Marks, CPA, The Marks Group PC

Hosted by:

Kat Shamapande, Director, Professional Development, NASBP and Mark McCallum, CEO, NASBP

Sponsored by Old Republic Surety!