Surety Association of Ohio
4th Quarter Meeting Minutes
December 7, 2004

• Mark Drengler, outgoing president, opened the meeting at 7:30PM with approximately 86 people in attendance at the Hilton Columbus at Easton Town Center.

• Mark Drengler made a farewell speech, discussing the success of consolidating the (3) individual regional surety associations into one Ohio Association.

• Mark Drengler then offered a motion and requested a 2 nd motion to confirm holding an election for Marc Oravecz as President, Jack Kehl as Vice-President and George Siegler as Secretary, replacing former board member Bruce Lehmkuhl. An election followed, and Marc Oravecz, Jack Kehl and George Siegler were unanimously voted in as President, Vice-President, and Secretary, respectively. Bill Wildenhiem remains as Treasurer.

• Mark Drengler then introduced the Surety Association of Ohio’s new president, Marc Oravecz. Marc Oravecz announced that Chuck Teter will be the new Education Chairman.

• Marc Oravecz briefly discussed ODOD – Ohio Department of Development and EDGE – Encouraging Diversity, Growth, & Equity. The ODOD in concert with the EDGE program is a bond guarantee program that the state will guarantee 90% of the losses for participants that qualify in the program. Marc also gave an update regarding bridge painters and ODOT. The SAO has requested the documents related to the ODOT investigaton via the public information act.

• Marc Oravecz then introduced the new Vice-President, Jack Kehl.

• Jack Kehl discussed that ODOT is reviewing a possible new financial prequalification process, and the role of the surety. Jack Kehl also offered that if anyone is interested in attending the ODOT meeting on the topic to contact Mark Kelsey. Next, Jack spoke about the Ohio Surety Association Scholarship program reminding all to be cognizant of it and look for the 2005 app in the coming months.

• Jack Kehl introduced Eric Schmidt, Government Relations Committee. Eric Schmidt discussed the successes of 2004 related to long-term glazing and roofing warranties and getting these reduced or eliminated. Other topics included:

1. House Bill 208 Retainage Bill is currently stalled and no further action anticipated this year.
2. Wording added to current capital spending bill in Columbus which will repeal multiple prime contractors on state university projects. The bill appears to be supported by Governor Taft. OSU has pushed hard for this. Subcontractors are obviously opposed. The SAO maintains a neutral position on this matter.
3. No news on OSU implementing the 5 year warranty on all construction work.
4. SAO worked in conjunction with the Surety Federation of Ohio (SFO) and with the SAA on the assignment of claims amendment on the Defense Authorization Bill on the federal level. Representative Chabot (D-OH) sat on this committee and we were seeking his vote to amend this bill and modernize the procurement process as it relates to defense contracts.

• Marc Oravecz then made a farewell presentation to Mark Drengler. Mark was presented a plaque and he was thanked for his service.

• Marc Oravecz pulled names for door prizes and the 50/50 raffle. The raffle winnings were donated back and will go towards the Surety Associaton of Ohio Scholarship. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:15PM. The next meeting will be in early spring, specifics to be determined later.