WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Surety & Fidelity Association of America (SFAA), a nonprofit, nonpartisan trade association representing all segments of the surety and fidelity industry, held its 117th Annual Meeting this past week, an event focused on advancing the industry’s future.
SFAA Chair Mike Keimig, President & CEO of Markel Surety, and SFAA President & CEO Ryan Work highlighted the critical role of collaboration, innovation, and sustained engagement in capitalizing on opportunities within today’s dynamic marketplace. They also outlined a forward-looking vision for the association, aimed at increasing impact by leveraging new staff expertise, enhanced data analytics, research capabilities, and emerging technologies.
SFAA members were also on hand to recognize the achievements and leadership of several individuals and organizations:
- Ralph Pulver – Winner of the 2025 Surety Platinum Award, the industry’s highest individual honor, recognizing his decades of leadership, mentorship, and service.
- The 2025 Silver Surety Awards were presented to the Surety Association of Ohio and the San Diego Surety Association for excellence in member engagement, education, and advocacy.
Keynote speaker Sam Jordan, head of the technology and computing practice at the Future Today Strategy Group, delivered a thought-provoking presentation on the intersection of technology, trust, and transformation. Her insights challenged members to consider how emerging technologies and data-driven strategies can shape the future of the surety industry.
The session concluded with a featured discussion with U.S. Congressman Addison McDowell of North Carolina, an emerging legislative voice focused on advancing the nation’s infrastructure priorities.
Importantly, SFAA Members unanimously elected the following 2025–2026 Board of Directors and Executive Committee.
SFAA Executive Committee/ Board Members
Michael Keimig, SFAA Chair, President & Chief Executive Officer, Markel Surety Corporation
Stephen Ruschak, SFAA Vice Chair, Executive Vice President, Surety, Arch Insurance Group Inc.
Antonio C. Albanese, Executive Vice President, Head of Surety, Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company
Bryce Grissom, Senior Vice President, Surety, Travelers Bond and Specialty Insurance
Timothy Mikolajewski, President, Global Surety, Liberty Mutual Insurance
John F. Welch, President & CEO, CNA Surety Group
Gary Stumper, National Surety Leader, Westfield Group
Ryan C. Work, President & Chief Executive Officer, SFAA
SFAA Board Members
Ken Bearley, President, Bond Division, Great American Insurance Companies
Carolina DiGiacomo, Head Credit & Surety Americas, Swiss Re America Holding Corporation
John Guglielmo, Head of Surety, North America at Intact Insurance Specialty Solutions
Stephen M. Haney, Division President, North America Surety & CUO, Global Surety, Chubb Surety
Michael Heidrick, Vice President, Head of Bond, The Hartford
James Kawiecki, President of Surety, Hanover Insurance Group
Matt Lubin, President, Surety Division, Crum & Forster
Chris Nolan, Head of Surety, Zurich North America
Alan Pavlic, President & Chief Operating Officer, Old Republic Surety Group
Larry Taylor, President, Merchants Bonding Company
Mike Zurcher, Executive Vice President, Surety, IAT Insurance Group
###
The Surety & Fidelity Association of America (SFAA) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan trade association representing all surety and fidelity industry segments. We promote the value of surety and fidelity bonding and its vital protections through advocacy, outreach, promotion, and education. The more than 425 member companies write 98 percent of surety and fidelity bonds in the U.S. SFAA is licensed as a rating or advisory organization in all states, and state insurance departments have designated it as a statistical agent for the reporting of fidelity and surety experience. www.surety.org
