"In the last two years, our revenues have increased by over 30 percent despite the broader economic downturn," said Jason Ford, President of Surety Placement Services. "Thus, we felt the time was right to bring on Marc and Jim. We feel they can help us continue to grow our existing business and also help us push into new market segments. Both bring a significant amount of commercial real estate, finance, and underwriting experience to our team. They have worked for prestigious companies in the Valley and have deep roots in the Arizona business community."

As director of business development, Marc will be responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with the commercial contractor sector.

Prior to joining Surety Placement Services, Marc spent 13 years in the commercial real estate industry with Opus West Corporation and NorthMarq Capital, LLC. He brings a vast amount of knowledge in the following areas: acquisitions, financing, sales and development of various commercial asset types such as office, retail, industrial, multifamily, healthcare and mixed-used properties.

Marc is a member of NAIOP (National Association of Industrial and Office Properties) and the Scottsdale Active 20/30 Club, where he served as President. Additionally, he was a past honoree of AZ's Finest benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. He resides in Cave Creek.

James will be responsible for project management at Surety Placement Services. He will oversee all current projects and work with the rest of SPS's management team to help establish plans and procedures for the company's growth into the future.

Prior to joining Surety Placement Services, Jim spent nearly 11 years in the commercial banking industry with Johnson Bank, ABN Amro, and Bank One. He brings significant experience in the following areas: financial analysis, business planning, underwriting, and sales. During his career Mr. Bounds provided financing to a variety of industries including; real estate developers, manufacturers, retail outlets, distributors, health care providers, and service companies among others.

He is a member of Urban Land Institute, Arizona Chamber of Commerce, Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, and Risk Management Association. Additionally, Jim is a member of the Scottsdale Active 20/30 Club (board member and committee treasurer) and enjoys volunteering for the Veteran's Administration, Boys and Girls Club and United Way. He resides in Scottsdale.

Surety Placement Services recently doubled its occupied space within the prestigious Scottsdale Executive Office Park (SEOP). "We are very excited that we were able to come to an agreement with the SEOP to expand our headquarters," said Jason Ford, President of Surety Placement Services. "In the last two years, our revenues have grown by more than 30 percent and the expansion will give us the physical space we need to continue to grow in the near future. We feel that this is just another sign of our commitment to our employees, the community, the surety industry, and SPS's future growth."

Surety Placement Services is proud to announce that as of January 1, we are now the preferred surety provider of the Arizona Contractor's Association. Surety Placement Services has traditionally been a national surety wholesaler, offering surety relationships and programs not readily available to direct principles, insurance agencies, law firms, etc.

However, with the dramatic downturn of the construction industry in the southwest, many contractors are having problems building or maintaining their surety relationship. Thus, Surety Placement Services felt it was important to bring their technical underwriting abilities directly to the construction industry. "It is important to have a surety professional manage your account because a surety problem can make or break any project. Not having the best options available can be devastating to any contractor", said the President of Surety Placement Services, Jason Ford.

Surety Placement Services is excited to work with the Arizona Contractor Association in order to offer yet another added value to ACA's membership.

http://www.azca.com

ACA Release.

http://www.azca.com/html/pdf/SPS%20Announcement%20Press%20Release.pdf

Surety Placement Services has successfully launched a new bonding program to meet the P-5 bonding needs of Texas oil producers. The Texas Railroad Commission requires that all oil and gas operators provide them with a cash deposit, irrevocable letter of credit, or an operator's plugging bond. As a result of our significant industry experience, SPS has been successful in developing a new A+ national surety relationship to help provide Texas operators with these hard to place bonds. Having established previously the most successful Texas P-5 bonding program SPS has yet again brought a new and even better solution to the market. That means that in many cases Texas operators can contact SPS and receive a bond quote within 48 hours, thus allowing the operators to maintain their cash and preserve their credit. Call us for more details.

Surety Placement Services is proud to announce the addition of Zurich North America to its family of Surety relationships.

Surety Placement Services (SPS) has entered into an agreement with a large insurance aggregator as their exclusive surety provider. Acting on behalf of the aggregator, SPS will underwrite and produce surety issues for over 1400 member agencies. "We are looking forward to offering a service to the member agents that is not only professional but technically sound and fruitful" says Jason Ford, the President of Surety Placement Services.

Surety Placement Services has again shown its ability to adapt to the market place and come up with solutions for even the largest of programs. Partnering with multiple sureties, the assembled team is putting together a "boilerplate" for this industry changing program.

Surety Placement Services is proud to announce the addition of RLI to its family of Surety relationships.

When asked about the new Partnership, Jason Ford, SPS's President, said the following, "Surety Placement Services is extremely excited to partner with a company like Zurich North America. SPS has big goals for the future and Zurich could not be a better group to accomplish those goals with. Having an exclusive contract with such a large group of agencies is an exciting opportunity for SPS to meet and exceed the needs of independent agents on a much broader scale."

Surety Placement Services is proud to announce the addition of Zurich North America to its family of Surety relationships.

Founded in 1942, NASBP is the association of and resource for surety bond producers and allied professionals. NASBP producers specialize in providing surety bonds for construction contracts and other purposes to companies and individuals needing the assurance offered by surety bonds. NASBP producers engage in contract and commercial surety production throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, and a number of countries. They have broad knowledge of the surety marketplace and the business strategies and underwriting differences among surety companies. As trusted advisors, professional surety bond producers act in many key roles to position their clients to meet the underwriting requirements for surety credit.

SPS is proud to be associated with an organization like the NASBP. We believe that our active membership in the NASBP further illustrates our commitment to the surety industry and our desire to remain on the cutting edge of industry changes.

Jason Ford, a member of the Scottsdale Active 20-30 Club #547, and COO of Surety Placement Services, successfully chaired this year's Nite Flite Golf Tournament and Red Carpet Gala. Mr. Ford Noted: "The 20-30 clubs is a fantastic group of very capable local business men. Nite Flite was established nearly 20 years ago and has steadily grown since then. I'm proud to say that this year's event looks like it will break all previous fundraising records. We anticipate revenues of well over $250,000 when the final figures are in."

Jason also stated, "I've always believe that it is very important to be active in your community and to give back to those less fortunate, even if it is just your time; I'm very proud that my involvement with the Scottsdale Active 20-30 Club and they have allowed me to do just that."

Scottsdale, AZ - Surety Placement Services, LLC today announced that it has completed a management buyout of the company. Buck Ford, President and Managing Member of the Company noted "it was time for Surety Placement Services to be on its own. We have had a great relationship with Smith-Manus, but being fully autonomous is crucial to our growth and for the continued success." Previously, Surety Placement Services had contracted Smith-Manus for administrative, accounting and other services. Mr. Ford also noted "we are pleased to be able to service the complete relationship with our clients and are aggressively working on adding surety companies to our growing list of appointments. The surety company relationships are part of our business model for our continued growth." Furthermore, he noted "our clients have made us successful and we intend to stick to a formula that works." SPS fills a niche in the surety markets by providing a fast and easy way for customers and other insurance agents/brokers to get a surety bond.

Mr. Ford noted: "After we doubled our office size in 2005, we felt that we were ready to take on more of the administration. I am certainly pleased to announce that this process is effectively complete now and we are positioned to grow our business and expand our services."

Surety Placement Services, LLC is an Arizona Corporation that was founded in 2002 as a specialty surety agency working in various niche industries and with brokers and agents. Surety Placement Services employs 10 people and has extensive surety experience with clients across the U.S.

SURETY PLACEMENT SERVICES - BONDS WITH COMMUNITY
Surety Placement Services (SPS) is proud of its continued support and contributions to various charitable organizations. Several members of the SPS team have devoted a significant amount of time and money to numerous charities such as the Scottsdale Active 20/30 Club, and primarily the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Buck Ford, one of the SPS principals, actively serves on the Board of Directors for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale.

SPS's latest project with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale is a joint effort between both staffs to involve kids in the workplace, exposing them to basic business transactions, utilizing their computer skills. The boys and girls earn extra money to fund their special projects. Select kids have earned the privilege to go on a trip to Europe next year and the SPS partnership is allowing them to earn the money needed, while more importantly, help them to establish self esteem and pride in their accomplishments.

SPS - support for our clients, support for our community.

SPS NEWS - WE HAVE MOVED!
Surety Placement Services, LLC is happy to announce that we have expanded our operation to further provide service to our existing customers and new clients alike. In continuing with our commitment to service our customers in today's volatile surety industry, we at SPS have tripled our office facility and hired additional staff to serve your needs. Contact one of our surety professionals today to discuss how we can help you enhance your bond program and experience the service that you deserve. Our new office is located at: 7975 N Hayden Road, Suite C-300 Scottsdale, AZ 85258