Surety Association of Canada names 2021-2022 board of directors

MISSISSAUGA, ONT.—The Surety Association of Canada (SAC) board of directors met to elect the officials for the upcoming fiscal year earlier this month.

In September, the SAC held its 30th Annual General Meeting virtually where the slate of officers was presented and approved by the SAC membership. The 2021-2022 board of directors includes:

• Scott Beitel, chief operating officer, PLATFORM (past chair)
• Iqbal Bhinder, president, United Surety
• Rob Burns, senior vice president, Travelers Insurance Company of Canada
• Robert Cristiano, vice president, Everest Re Group Ltd.
• Chris Fiore, head of surety, Canada, The Hartford
• Nicolas Gagnon, partner, Lavery, de Billy
• Richard A. Grant, senior vice president – surety, Trisura Guarantee Insurance Company
• Steven Hastings, vice president – surety, Liberty Mutual Canada
• Steve Hogan, senior vice president – Ontario Surety Manager, Aon Canada
• Tom Krech, AVP – surety, Chubb Insurance Company of Canada (board vice chair)
• Raymond Llamas, AVP – underwriting director, CNA Surety
• Brent McAllister, director – national accounts, Zurich Insurance Company
• Darryll McDonald, vice president – surety, Echelon Insurance
• Paul McIntyre, vice president – surety, Euler Hermes North America Insurance Company
• Terry Michalakos, vice president – surety, Aviva Insurance Company of Canada
• Brandon Notaro, vice president, surety Underwriting, Partner Re
• Sarina Puccio, team leader for credit – surety & political risk, Munich Reinsurance Company of Canada, Ltd.
• Rick Shaban, partner, Borden Ladner Gervais, LLP
• Mark Skanes, vice president, Western Surety Company (board chair)
• David Smith, national vice president – surety leader, Intact Insurance

After the AGM in September, journalist and political commentator Chantal Hébert provided an overview and insight on the outcome of the federal election. SAC also recognized the 2021 Graduating Class of the Associateship of Canadian Surety Bonding Designation Program.

The SAC is also planning its 31st Annual General Meeting which will be held in September 2022 at the Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto.

“We are grateful for the support and dedication of our association’s board of directors,” said Steven Ness, president of the SAC, in a statement. “We would like to express our profound appreciation to departing directors: Matt Baynton (previously of Trisura Guarantee Insurance), Ron Ferrero (previously of Partner Re) and Kevin Thompson (previously of Jones Deslauriers Insurance Management); and welcome new directors, Iqbal Bhinder of United Surety, Chris Fiore of The Hartford, Richard A. Grant of Trisura Guarantee Insurance and Brandon Notaro of Partner Re. We look forward to their involvement.”