MEET THE CONTRACT SURETY TEAM
Ramona Seidman
Underwriting Director
California
Most interesting surety bond written:
The Seismic Rehabilitation/Renovation of LA City Hall in downtown Los Angeles. It was an interesting project, both in technical approach and the added element of preserving the historic features of the building.
Most unique place you have written a surety bond:
The Channel Islands off the California coast – a federal job.
What are your expert areas?
I don’t consider that I am an expert at anything. However, I do think I am a good facilitator. I try and listen well, determine the issues that need to be addressed and work collaboratively to find solutions.
Jimmy Sousa
Underwriter
Scottsdale, Arizona
If you weren’t in Insurance, what would you be doing?
I think it would be awesome and rewarding to work for a law enforcement agency such as the FBI, DEA or Secret Service.
Outside of work, what’s your favorite way to bond with people?
My favorite way to bond outside of work is by playing sports or participating in group activities. Golf, Softball and happy hours are just a few!
What do you like most about your role?
Coming from the P&C side, I love that you can build relationships with people that go beyond just business. I also love that we create solutions that help business thrive and have a positive impact in the community.
Kevin White
Underwriting Director
Richmond, Virginia
Most interesting surety bond written:
Stream restoration job in a Maryland State Park
Most unique place you have written a surety bond:
Renovation and some utilities modification to the barracks and hangar at the home base of Marine One in DC. Pretty cool site visit.
Outside of work, what’s your favorite way to bond with people?
I enjoy golfing or attending sporting events where everyone has a common rooting interest.
Nate Hutchison
Sr. Underwriter
Athens, Ohio
What’s the most interesting or unique project for which you’ve written a surety bond?
Repair of a dam in Arizona, which included underwater welding
Outside of work, what’s your favorite way to bond with people?
Outdoor activities including hunting or camping – or just having a drink at happy hour
Where’s a unique location for which you’ve written a surety bond?
The U.S. Embassy in Conarky, Guinea
Christopher Raines
Underwriting Director
Houston
What’s the most interesting or unique project for which you’ve written a surety bond?
A large petroleum pipeline project in Texas
Outside of work, what’s your favorite way to bond with people?
I enjoy playing pick-up games of soccer.
If you weren’t in insurance, what would you be doing?
I’ve always been interested in IT.
Steve Parnas
Contract Surety Practice Leader
St. Louis
What’s the most interesting or unique project for which you’ve written a surety bond?
The Experience Music Project in Seattle
Where’s a unique location for which you’ve written a surety bond?
Kwajalein Atol in the Marshall Islands – a very small, remote island in the Pacific
If you weren’t in insurance, what would you be doing?
I’d probably be an attorney, since I went to law school.
Ben Workman
Senior Underwriter
Atlanta
What’s the most interesting or unique project for which you’ve written a surety bond?
A historical renovation project for a decommissioned copper mine. The project was to return the facility to its original aesthetic and make a museum piece out of it.
Outside of work, what’s your favorite way to bond with people?
I’m an avid mountain biker, so anytime I have that in common with someone, let’s go ride!
Where’s a unique location for which you’ve written a surety bond?
Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. It was awesome providing a P&P bond on a piece of the construction of one of the world’s premier stadium facilities.
Katie Canales
Underwriting Support Associate
Houston
Outside of work, what’s your favorite way to bond with people?
I’m fairly easy-going – chatting over a cocktail and meal, enjoying a game night, going the movies, or doing something adventurous that I’ve never done before!
What are your expert areas?
On a technical level, technology and problem-solving. On a personal level, my empathy and caring nature.
What do you like most about your job?
Aside from the amazing team I work with?? Every step of the way has been a learning opportunity and potential for personal and professional growth. I can certainly see myself at Argo for the long haul, and that’s important to me!
Kyle Fuller
Senior Underwriter
Houston
Where’s a unique location for which you’ve written a surety bond?
I have a coatings contractor that works for the Department of Defense recoating fuel storage tanks in Akasaki, Iorizaki and Yokose, Japan.
If you weren’t in insurance, what would you be doing?
Prior to insurance, I was a manufacturing representative in the building materials industry. I imagine I would be in some type of sales role in that industry had I not ventured into insurance.
What do you like most about your job?
Underwriting in surety has a good mix of technical challenges combined with sales and relationship building. Every day is different, and I learn something new every week. It never gets dull!
Chris Lindstrom
AVP, Underwriting
Scottsdale, AZ
What’s the most interesting or unique project for which you’ve written a surety bond?
On the Skywalk at the Grand Canyo –, I bonded the subcontractor who manufactured and installed the glass panels that you walk on.
Outside of work, what’s your favorite way to bond with people?
I’ve been playing golf since I was 8. It’s a great way to get to know people.
Where’s a unique location for which you’ve written a surety bond?
Lanai, Hawaii
James Bluzard
Chief Underwriting Officer, Contract Surety
Houston
What’s the most interesting or unique project for which you’ve written a surety bond?
I’ve always found dredging jobs interesting, especially beach restoration jobs – basically they dredge sand off the ocean floor and build a beach.
If you weren’t in insurance, what would you be doing?
Some sort of corporate finance job
What do you like most about your job?
Meeting our clients. Almost all are self-made, successful businesspeople. Hearing the stories of their paths to success is always special.
