#129 GAO Bid Protests: Navigating the Current Trends and Developments
Release Date: 01/28/2025
#136 Tariffs: Trends and Risk Strategies in the Customs Bonds Arena
Let's Get Surety
Questions about how rising tariffs impact customs bonds? Join us as we chat with Michelle Lucaccioni of Tokio Marine HCC - Surety Group and John Sheppard of C.A. Shea & Company, Inc., as they uncover customs bond trends, skyrocketing bond demands, insufficiencies, and critical risk strategies you can't ignore. Gain expert insights on how to manage these risks proactively—this is definitely a must-listen for surety professionals navigating today’s unpredictable trade environment! For a more in-depth update, check out the NASBP Virtual Seminar "," or listen to "" and get a basic overview...
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#135 Unveiling America's Infrastructure: Progress, Problems and Possibilities
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Curious how America’s infrastructure is really holding up? Join hosts Kat Shamapande and Mark McCallum as they dive into the latest Infrastructure Report Card with ASCE Executive Director Tom Smith. Hear about surprising progress, looming challenges, funding gaps, and how civil engineers and policymakers, and surety professionals can collaborate for a more resilient future. Check out the for more information. With special guest: Thomas W. Smith III, Executive Director, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Hosted by: Kat Shamapande, Director, Professional Development, NASBP and...
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#134 Turning Uncertainty Into Success With Meridith Elliott Powell
Let's Get Surety
Feeling overwhelmed by constant change and uncertainty? In this dynamic episode of "Let's Get Surety," we talk with business growth, sales, and leadership expert, author, and speaker Meridith Elliott Powell about building mental fitness, powerful resilience, and relentless vision in uncertain times. Using vivid stories and practical strategies, Meredith shares how to transform anxiety into action and vision into success. Don’t miss these game-changing insights! With special guest: Meridith Elliott Powell, Business Growth, Sales, and Leadership Expert Hosted by: Kat Shamapande, Director,...
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#133 Unpacking Executive Order 14173 and Its Implications for Federal Contractors
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How will the recent Executive Order 14173, titled "Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity," affect federal contractors? In this episode, we explore this important issue with legal experts Stephen Irving and Tara Munder of the law firm of Peckar & Abramson. They explain the intent of the order, its impact on affirmative action policies, what businesses need to do to remain compliant, and issues related to enforcement. With companies trying to discern their “go forward” strategies and legal challenges to this and related Executive Orders mounting, this...
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#132 Accelerating Careers: Unveiling the Power of the NASBP 5-15 Leadership Committee
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Are you interested in enhancing your leadership skills and your networking opportunities in the surety industry? In this episode of Let’s Get Surety®, we explore the NASBP's 5-15 Leadership Committee with guest and Vice Chair of the Committee, Mike Zahn of Moreton & Company. Learn how this dynamic program accelerates professional growth, builds powerful industry connections with peers and seasoned surety leaders, and provides exclusive mentorship opportunities. Don't miss this engaging discussion on how 5-15 Leadership Committee participation can take your career to the next level! Get...
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#131 AI and Risk Management With The Institutes' Peter Miller
Let's Get Surety
How is AI transforming our world and specifically the insurance industry? In this episode of Let’s Get Surety®, hosts Kat Shamapande and Mark McCallum sit down with Peter Miller, President and CEO of The Institutes, to explore AI's expanding role in risk management, fraud detection, underwriting, and more. Discover how AI enhances efficiency, predicts and prevents losses, and reshapes workforce dynamics. Plus, learn about regulations shaping its future. Don’t miss this insightful conversation! You might also want to check out these other and . With special guest: Peter Miller,...
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#130 Celebrating 5 Years of 'Let's Get Surety': A Countdown of Our Most Captivating Episodes
Let's Get Surety
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. 4. 3. y* 2. 1. *Disclaimer from Andrew...
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#129 GAO Bid Protests: Navigating the Current Trends and Developments
Let's Get Surety
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, "" for more information. With...
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#128 The Corner Office: A Conversation With Liberty Mutual's Tim Mikolajewski
Let's Get Surety
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,...
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#127 The Weird World of Commercial Surety: From Nail Salons to Geoduck and So Much More…
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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...
info_outlineIn 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