It has been a very busy start to the new year. In mid-January I traveled to Austin, TX to participate in the American Bar Association’s Fidelity and Surety Law Conference. Our panel included Julie Alleyne, SFAA (as moderator); Tim Mikolajewski, Liberty Mutual; Teresa Black, Chubb; Bill McConnell, Vertex Engineering; and Matt Turkstra, AGC of America. The panel’s focus was, “Election 2024 and The Next Four Years of Federal Contracting.” What all of us have witnessed in the first few weeks of the Trump administration is new meaning to the saying that the only constant in government contracting is change. Multiple executive actions promise to be just the start of what is expected to be a period of significant change to the rules governing federal contracts and grants. Presently, all government contractors, grant recipients, and compliance professionals are seeing significant changes to federal contract and grant rules, with more to come over the coming weeks. Pictured, from left: me, Julie Alleyne, Bill McConnell, Teresa Black, Tim Mikolajewski, and Matt Turkstra.

Within two weeks, I returned to the Lone Star State, this time Houston. A highlight of my Presidency is the opportunity to attend our Surety School. In late January, I spent the better part of four days listening, watching, and mingling with students of the Contract Surety Levels I and II and Commercial Surety Level I. It reminded me of how fortunate we are to work in an industry where producers, account reps, account executives, and carrier underwriters can come together to learn and forge career relationships. I had the honor of teaching the Contract Level II Ethics Class (see photo) and speaking at both Winter School graduation ceremonies. I enjoyed talking with the students about their experiences and issues they face daily. The School offers students a rare opportunity to build life-skills and learn intricacies about our industry. How do I know, because I attended the NASBP William J. Angell Surety School in 1990, and I still fondly remember the lessons I learned and the connections I made during that week. To our Professional Development Committee Chairman Michael Baxter and the volunteer instructors, presenters, and auditors, thank you for paying it forward and sharing your intellectual capital with the next generation of surety professionals!

We are days away from the NASBP-SFAA Annual Legislative Fly-in. With over 150 registered to participate, I am once again reminded that advocacy is one of the cornerstones of NASBP. For 2025, Fly-in festivities begin at 2 pm on Wednesday, February 26th, as part of the “Washington Program,” where former Congressman and U.S. Transportation Secretary, Ray LaHood, who served from 2009 to 2013 under the Obama Administration, will share his observations on politics, the nation’s economy, and its infrastructure. Following Secretary LaHood’s presentation, a panel of Capitol Hill legislative staff members will offer their observations of what might be in store for the first session of the 119th U.S. Congress.

My plans also took me to San Juan, PR for a meeting with the Surety Association of Puerto Rico and NASBP Region 12 members. I was honored to meet with over 50 local surety professionals. Just prior to my departure, NASBP Director of Government Relations Larry LeClair arranged a call for me with Rachel Roman Villalobos, Legislative Assistant to U.S. Congresswoman Nydia Velaquez (D-NY), with respect to the status of disaster relief aid to San Juan based upon policy changes post election. Discussion points of my visit and meeting in Puerto Rico will included: key aspects of our NASBP Vision 2028 strategic plan, possible claw back of federal funds assigned to the reconstruction of the island due to hurricane and earthquake destruction; and potential new tax regulations under the Trump Administration. Many thanks to Jose Milan of NASBP member Carrion, Laffitte & Casellas, Inc./HUB International CLC of Hato Rey, PR, and his wife, Rebecca, for coordinating this amazing event and welcoming my wife, Krista, and me so warmly. (See photo, from left, me, Krista, Rebecca, and Jose).