Surety Association of Ohio
3rd Quarter Meeting Minutes
October 9, 2002

• Mark Drengler, President, opened the meeting at Noon with approximately 70 people in attendance at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel in Cincinnati, OH.

• The meeting started with speakers from National City Bank and Project Village. Eric Reisch from NCB works in their construction lending division discussed their approach to extending credit to contractors and discussed the current state of the industry. Mark Bostleman discussed a computerized project management system called Project Village.

• Marc Oravecz then spoke about the Association’s new web site. The framework of the system is complete. Our new web site address is www.ohiosurety.com. Marc is looking for help and support to add content. The following are areas that we want to add as topics with information available to the membership: Government/Legislative, Education, Upcoming Events, By-Laws, Links, and Hot Topics. The goal is to complete the web site by the end of the year.

• Mark Drengler then discussed the use of the web site to respond to legislative issues. Legislative issues will be put on the web site when they come up, and Mark asked the membership to be proactive and respond with letters in support of our industry when topics come up.

• Mark Drengler then discussed the ODOT long-term warranty program may be taking a U-turn per the recent articles in the Columbus Dispatch. Mark asked members to send letters to EJ Thomas outlining our feelings and position on the long-term warranty program. Mike Gilroy mentioned that the SAA is coming out with a stance next week on long-term warranties that warranties 3 years up to 5 years will be ok. Frank Sullivan questioned the status of the long-term warranty survey that was being done by the University of Cincinnati. Member companies were recently asked to complete a survey, which was worded somewhat difficult, and return to U.C. U.C. is to compile the results and respond by the end of ’03. Mark Drengler felt this was an indication that the ODOT long-term warranty issue is not over.

• The meeting was adjourned at 1:30 PM. The next meeting will be held in Columbus around the first week of December. The date and time will be announced at a later date. We will be trying to get a speaker on the new hot topic, Mold. The board then met in executive session to plan the next meeting and discuss board related matters.