By Michael J. Whitlock, Executive Vice President – Bail Division
It was forty years ago this month, in October 1986, that I joined Underwriters Surety, Inc. (USI), a national managing agency founded by Jack Whitlock and Bill Carmichael. As it happens, I was the company’s first employee. I was just 23 years old and had been working in the bail bond profession since the end of 1981. I had no idea where this opportunity would take me or that I would still be doing much the same thing forty years later.
Jack and Bill would go on to acquire American Surety Company (ASC) in 1993. Over the next two decades, we would take ASC from being admitted in just one state, California, to all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Quite an accomplishment, especially considering where we started.
I’ve written before about the early years of USI and ASC, so I won’t revisit all that history here. Suffice it to say, it’s been quite a ride.
One of the great advantages of working for a company that operates nationally is the opportunity to meet and work with people from all parts of this country. Over the years, I’ve traveled millions of air miles, driven countless rental cars, and spent more nights in hotels than I care to remember. From Biloxi, Mississippi, to Kennewick, Washington, and from Riverside, California, to Albany, New York, I’ve had the good fortune to experience much of what makes this country so interesting.
While that much travel can wear a person down, I’ve always considered it a privilege. The places are memorable, but it’s the people I’ve met along the way who have made the journey worthwhile.
Over these forty years, the bail bond profession has seen its share of changes and faced more than a few challenges. Underwriting practices have evolved, marketing strategies have changed, and technology has transformed the way we conduct business. Legislative and regulatory challenges have come and gone, although there always seems to be another one waiting around the corner.
One thing I’ve learned is that change is inevitable. Those who recognize the need to adapt tend to survive and prosper. Those who resist change often find themselves left behind. I’ve watched companies and agents come and go over the years, and the ability to evolve has often been the difference between success and failure.
But for all the changes in our profession, one thing has remained constant: the importance of people and relationships. Technology may change how we communicate and conduct business, but it will never replace trust, integrity, and the personal relationships developed over time.
When I look back over these forty years, I don’t necessarily remember every bond we wrote, every agent we contracted, or every challenge we faced. What I remember most are the people. Some are still in the business, some have retired, and sadly, some are no longer with us. But each played a part in making this journey what it has been.
I suppose that’s what forty years really comes down to. Not the miles traveled or the business conducted, but the relationships developed along the way.
I was fortunate to call myself a partner with Bill Carmichael and P.J. Longstreth at ASC-USI for nearly fifteen years before we agreed to sell the company to Core Specialty in 2023. The transition was seamless, and American Surety Company has continued to thrive under Core’s leadership. I’m proud of what we built and equally proud of the knowledgeable, experienced people who continue to carry the company forward.
It must also be said that you don’t get through life without a little help along the way. I owe a great deal to Bill Carmichael and my late father, Jack Whitlock. Both believed in me, gave me opportunities, and helped shape the person I am today. Dad was more than my father and business mentor. He was my hero. I lost him earlier this year, and while I wish he were here to share this milestone, I’m grateful for the years we had together and the lessons he taught me. I wouldn’t be where I am today without either of these men.
Of course, none of this would have been possible without the support of my family. I’ve been married to the same wonderful woman, Marcia, for 38 years, and together we’ve raised four children. My work has taken me away from home more often than I care to admit, and I know there were birthdays, family gatherings, and everyday moments I missed along the way. Marcia has been my partner through it all, keeping things together at home while I was somewhere on the road. I’ve been fortunate to have a career I love, but even more fortunate to have a family that has supported me throughout the journey. For that, I am forever grateful.
I must be starting to look my age because more and more people keep asking me about the “R” word. Retirement. My response is always the same: I’ll get tired of doing what I’m doing only after people get tired of me. I expect that’s still several years down the road.
Forty years is a long time to do anything, particularly in an industry that has experienced as much change as ours. I’ve been fortunate to work with some remarkable people, build lasting friendships, and make a living doing something I’ve genuinely enjoyed.
Would I do it all over again? Absolutely.
And as for retirement, I still have places to go, people to see, and a few more miles to travel.