Mediation to Resolve Disputes and Save Valuable Relationships: What Producers Can Do To Educate Their Clients and the Sureties They Represent

Steve Nelson is Executive Vice President and General Counsel, SureTec Insurance Company and President, SureTec Information Systems, Inc. in Austin, TX. He joined SureTec Insurance Company, a regional surety company, and SureTec Information Systems, Inc., a construction financial services and risk consulting company, in 2001 after six years as CEO of Faulkner Construction Company, a large construction firm headquartered in Austin, TX. At Faulkner, Mr. Nelson e was part of executive management and de facto general counsel for sister companies involved in real estate development and the mechanical, stone and tile, road and bridge, and concrete - pumping businesses.

H. Bruce Shreves, heads the construction/surety practice group at Simon, Peragine, Smith & Redfearn. Prior to entering private practice, he served with the U. S. Department of Justice, Criminal Division, and the U. S. Army Judge Advocate General Corps. Mr. Shreves has lectured and written on numerous occasions on construction and surety law issues for the American Bar Association and other national programs. He has authored numerous publications and papers. He is affiliated with the American Arbitration Association handling dispute resolutions in the construction, insurance and surety industry, specializing in complex construction cases. He currently serves as Chair of the Louisiana Bar's Section on Fidelity, Surety and Construction Law. He is a member of American Bar Association Forum Committee on the Construction Industry, and is past Chair of the American Bar Association’s Fidelity & Surety Law Committee, Tort Trial Insurance Practice Section. He has been a frequent speaker on arbitration and mediation topics for the American Arbitration Association, American Bar Association and other groups.