What drives outcomes in surety isn’t just underwriting or claims handling, it’s the alignment of stakeholders across the project lifecycle. From contractors and sureties to lenders and advisors, today’s environment demands a broader, more integrated perspective.
That perspective will be front and center at the ABA 2026 TIPS FSLC Surety Spring Conference, taking place May 13–15, 2026 at Hilton Sedona Resort in Sedona, AZ.
The conference will explore the evolving landscape of surety through a series of expert-led sessions and discussions. Attendees will gain insight into how claim handling influences the business of surety, how emerging trends in construction and indemnity are reshaping risk allocation, and how collaboration across stakeholders impacts outcomes.
On Thursday, May 14, VERTEX Chairman of the Board Bill McConnell, PhD, MSCE, JD, MBA, PE will participate in a panel discussion featuring leading industry voices on the future of surety.
VERTEX will participate as an Emerald Sponsor, supporting the conference program and opportunities for meaningful industry engagement throughout the event. The agenda is designed to move beyond technical concepts, offering a more holistic view of the surety industry—from unique bond structures and intercreditor relationships to proactive risk mitigation strategies. The program emphasizes practical, forward-looking insight that reflects the realities of today’s projects and disputes.
Meet the VERTEX Team
VERTEX attendees will include:
- Chairman of the Board Bill McConnell, PhD, MSCE, JD, MBA, PE
- Senior Managing Director and Practice Area Lead Diana Minchella
- Surety Senior Managing Director Frank Benway
- Surety Senior Managing Director Nick Deeley
- Surety Senior Director Jonathan Hahn
- Surety Senior Managing Consultant Tatum Rhyne
They will engage with industry professionals across the conference, contributing perspectives on surety claims, dispute resolution, and risk management while strengthening connections within the surety and legal communities.
Through participation in events such as the ABA Surety Spring Conference, VERTEX continues to support informed dialogue and contribute to the advancement of surety practices across the industry.
For additional information about the event, please visit: https://events.americanbar.org/event/a4d89970-d715-4c54-a57a-cbe5e6b7f399/summary
To learn more about VERTEX’s Technical Claims and Disputes and Surety Claims Consulting services or to speak with an expert, call 888.298.5162 or submit an inquiry here.
The Author
Bill McConnell
PhD, MSCE, JD, MBA, PE
Chairman of the Board
Bill McConnell is a co-founder and Chairman of The Vertex Companies, LLC. Bill is a top expert witness for construction disputes as he has testified nearly 250 times, most notably for quantum/damages, scheduling, allocation, termination, and standard of care opinions. As the Chairman of VERTEX, Bill sets the strategy for VERTEX’s future.
The Author
Diana Minchella
Senior Managing Director and Practice Area Lead - Claims, Disputes and Forensics
Diana is the Senior Managing Director at VERTEX for Claims, Disputes and Forensics consulting services. Ms. Minchella has a strong background in investigating and analyzing construction claims for contractors, owners, sureties and insurance carriers on a variety of projects including commercial, municipal, healthcare, transportation, wastewater treatment and solar facilities.
The Author
Frank Benway
Senior Managing Director, Claims, Disputes and Forensics
As Senior Managing Director, Frank Benway manages the surety consulting and completion contracting practice across the east coast. He has over 15 years of construction management experience on some of the most complex projects nationwide.
The Author
Nick Deeley
Managing Director, Surety
Nick Deeley is a construction professional with over 15 years of experience and knowledge in project planning, environmental review, project management, owner representation, construction contract administration, construction consulting, claims investigations, and general construction.
The Author
Jonathan Hahn
Senior Director, Surety
Jonathan Hahn has worked on a great variety of projects ranging from heavy highway bridge/infrastructure to multifamily, mixed-use commercial/vertical construction including public and private schools, department of defense, and green energy projects.
The Author
Tatum Rhyne
Consultant, Surety
Tatum Rhyne, an ABET-accredited Mechanical Engineering graduate, is a Consultant at VERTEX specializing in Surety and Construction Defect. Experience in project management and handling diverse responsibilities.