Media Release: Surety Association of Canada Announces 2023-2024 Board of Directors

January 15, 2024 – Mississauga, ON – The Surety Association of Canada (SAC) held its 32nd Annual General Meeting and Conference on October 10 and 11, 2023, at the Hilton Toronto Hotel where the slate of officers was presented and approved by the SAC membership. On December 5, 2023, the SAC Board of Directors met to elect the officials for the upcoming fiscal year, which are as follows (listed in alphabetical order by last name):

  • Scott Beitel, Chief Operating Officer, PLATFORM 
  • Iqbal Bhinder, SVP, Contract Surety, RAISE Underwriting
  • Guillaume Burroughs, Vice President, Surety, REVAU (Echelon Insurance)
  • Robert Cristiano, Vice President, Surety & Credit Worldwide, Everest Reinsurance Group
  • Chris Fiore, Head of Surety, Canada, The Hartford
  • Max Fratarcangeli, VP, Head of Contract & Commercial Surety, Aviva Insurance Company of Canada
  • Nicolas Gagnon, Partner, Lavery, de Billy
  • Richard A. Grant, Senior Vice President - Surety, Trisura Guarantee Insurance Company
  • Steven Hastings, Senior Vice President - Surety, Liberty Mutual Canada
  • David Johnston, National Director - Commercial Surety, Aon Canada Inc.
  • Tom Krech, Vice President, Construction Surety, Chubb Insurance Company of Canada (Board Chair)
  •  Raymond Llamas, Assistant Vice President - Underwriting Director, CNA Surety
  • Aimee Mather, Regional Underwriting Officer, Travelers Insurance Company of Canada
  • Paul McIntyre, Vice President, Surety, Allianz Trade Canada
  • Sarina Puccio, Head of Credit and Surety, Munich Reinsurance Company of Canada, Ltd.
  • Sean Reilly, AVP, Underwriter – North America Surety, Partner Reinsurance Company
  • Rick Shaban, Senior Counsel, Borden Ladner Gervais, LLP
  • Mark Skanes, Senior Vice President, Western Surety Company (Past Chair)
  • David Smith, President, Surety Canada, Intact Insurance
  • Sheila E. Thompson, President, Rosenberg & Parker of Canada, Inc.
  • Jordan Walker, Head of Surety, Canada, Zurich Insurance Company Ltd.

(Photo caption: Top left to right, as per list.)

Steven D. Ness, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Surety Association of Canada, stated: “In 2023, the association’s 2023-2027 Strategic Plan was finalized, and it was with the input and tremendous support of our Board of Directors that we were able to set a clear path for SAC to raise the bar as a leading voice and support for the surety industry across Canada.”

Last year, there were a few departures which resulted in welcoming several new individuals to represent their firms in the role. “On behalf of our entire team at the Surety Association of Canada, we would like to express our profound thanks to past Directors, namely Rob Burns, Steve Hogan, Darryll McDonald, Brandon Notaro, Terry Michalakos, and Brent McAllister. We also extend a warm welcome to our newest directors, Guillaume Burroughs, Max Fratarcangeli, David Johnston, Aimee Mather, Sean Reilly, and Jordan Walker.” Mr. Ness further noted.

During SAC’s Annual General Meeting, the association also acknowledged and thanked Mark Skanes for his contributions as Chair for the past three years; Tom Krech has accepted the role for the next term.

For PDF version of Media Release, CLICK HERE.

For more information and media inquiries, please contact:

Sharon Clark-Koufis
Director of Operations, Membership & Stakeholder Services
Surety Association of Canada
P: (905) 677-1353 ext. 202
C: (647) 973-8722
E: sclark [at] suretycanada.com  

About the Surety Association of Canada:

The Surety Association of Canada (SAC) is the national trade advocacy association that represents the interests of the surety industry across Canada. Its members consist of primary surety firms, surety reinsurers, surety/insurance brokers, and other organizations that provide related and complementary services to the surety industry.

While the majority of the surety industry’s premium revenue is derived from construction contract bonds, SAC also represents the interests of those organizations that focus on non-contract or commercial surety. SAC does not represent or advocate on behalf of the fidelity bond industry.

Since its formation in 1992, SAC has become a trusted resource for construction purchasers, design professionals, contractors, suppliers and other stakeholders in construction and business communities. SAC has developed its own bond forms in response to industry need and in consultation with the construction industry.

SAC and its members regularly meet with owners, contractors, other associations and related organizations to educate them about surety bonds and the suretyship process. SAC also monitors legislation across the country that will impact its members and works diligently to advance the surety cause with lawmakers and government officials.