NASBP Spotlight Series – Conversations with Surety Industry Leaders – Part 1

Rick Ciullo is the Chief Operating Officer of The Hartford’s Surety Bond Group. In this role, he is responsible for The Hartford Insurance Group’s surety, credit and political risk businesses.

Hartford Bond is one of the largest writers of surety in the U.S. and has been in the surety industry without interruption for over 100 years providing consistent, reliable support to all types of businesses.

Prior to joining the Hartford in 2016, Rick held various management positions with another major national insurance company for more than 35 years. He has a bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan University. He actively contributes to our industry through his participation with Construction CFO Roundtable, National Association of Surety Bond Producers and International Risk Management Institute. He also serves on the Executive Committee of the board of directors for the Surety & Fidelity Association of America and is a trustee of The Surety Foundation. He and his wife Tammy have 2 daughters and live in Surf City NJ.

Mr. Heine is Managing Director – Surety at PayneWest Insurance, Inc., an independently-owned insurance agency with 30 offices located in Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Ed is a leader of Payne's Construction Specialty Division and dedicates his time to helping clients and colleagues with their strategic and operational needs.  

A graduate of Bowdoin College, Ed began his surety career in 1979 after serving in Peace Corps in El Salvador, CA. He held surety underwriting management positions in New York City, Seattle and Houston prior to joining Payne in 1990, when the firm had a single location in Missoula, Montana.  The Payne team has built their Construction Specialty Division into their largest specialized division and Ed's current focus includes the growth and sustainability of their effort.

Ed served as President of NASBP in 2005-6, and has served various roles for NASBP throughout his career, including participating as a faculty member for NASBP's Surety School, which he enjoys immensely. He is also a member of NASBP's Editorial Advisory Board, and is a Member of the Government Affairs Committee.  Ed is an active member of CFMA and AGC, and volunteers his time to several local charities and civic groups in his community. 

Larry joined Merchants in 1989 and has been the company’s President since 1996.  He currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the Surety & Fidelity Association of America as the association’s Immediate Past Chair. He is also a past Chairman of the National Association of Independent Sureties, a past board member of the Master Builders of Iowa Associate Council, a member of the Greater Des Moines Committee, past Chairman of the Youth Homes of Mid America, past board member of the Iowa College Foundation, and a United Way Campaign Volunteer. He is a graduate of Purdue University and lives in Des Moines with his wife, Julie.  They have five adult children. 

Steve Anderson is Sr. Vice President and Head Surety North America, NAS Executive Administration.  Before that Anderson served as Senior Vice President at Washington International Insurance Company and as Branch Manager at St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance.