Meet Ross Chonko: Service-oriented leader heads up Oakbridge’s Surety Practice

Relationships. Self-Improvement. Family. These are the tenets that have guided Ross Chonko’s career. Ross, who recently joined Oakbridge, is the agency’s new Surety Practice Leader. In his role, he will spearhead Oakbridge’s efforts in the crucial surety market.

Ross’ background makes him uniquely qualified to provide exceptional service and grow the company’s Surety Portfolio. He joined the Marine Corps at age 17, graduated from boot camp at Parris Island and was later assigned to 2nd Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team Company, where he was meritoriously promoted to Corporal. His travels and experiences, which included Joint Task Force Operations across the globe, taught him the value of adaptability and embracing change. His time in the Marines also instilled discipline and the value of continual self-improvement. “I am especially grateful for the opportunities the Corps gave me to travel the world and learn some invaluable leadership skills,” Ross says.

After serving five years, Ross left the military and joined his father’s roofing company. With his dad, he saw firsthand the links between hard work, relationships and a thriving business. He also learned about the insurance industry from his mother, who has worked in risk management and insurance for 33 years. He met his wife while in college and earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida. Providing a secure future for his new family motivated him to reach out to several contacts in the insurance business as he neared graduation.

His first job in the surety industry was with Berkley Surety, as an underwriter trainee in Morristown, New Jersey. As the sole member of a new training class, he had unfettered access to every aspect of the company from underwriters to the CEO. “That broad experience really opened my eyes to the possibilities of surety,” Ross says. Berkley’s emphasis was on the value of relationships. “Surety is certainly not a one-size-fits-all business,” he says. “The common denominator to success is relationships and how you treat your colleagues and customers.”

Ross’ upward career trajectory brought him to Georgia and the opportunity to manage his own surety branch for Intact. “It was a very rewarding and fun part of my career – re-branding and growing a branch for Intact who was a new name in the GA Surety Market.”

Ever mindful of the market, he had noticed and admired Oakbridge’s rapid growth and early success. “They were actually a top client of mine,” he laughs. Ross was especially drawn to the company’s culture. “I had worked a lot with David Potts at Founders Insurance and then maintained the relationship when he joined Oakbridge as one of four founding members. I saw up close the emphasis they put on values and relationships.” Luckily, it was exactly the kind of environment in which he thrived.

Ross is excited about leading Oakbridge’s Surety Practice. “The surety market has faced several challenges in the last few years, including COVID-19 and inflation. But we’re still seeing growth throughout the Southeast.” He intends to intensify the focus on mid-market contractors. While industry and economic challenges have affected many contractors over the last few years, he is especially proud of Oakbridge’s client-first approach. “We coach and guide our clients. We help them mitigate risk. We are a resource and connection to other industry professionals such as construction, accounting firms and attorneys.”

He also appreciates the company’s deep carrier relationships which offer capacity to represent clients of all sizes, during all phases of their growth. “Oakbridge proudly represents start-up companies to contractors doing hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue who have been in business 25-plus years.”

“I’m extremely excited about the opportunity to lead, grow and expand the capabilities of our Surety Practice. We’ve got great producers, the support of leadership and great relationships in place. We know our clients. We’re rooted in community just like they are. It’s a great foundation to build on!” he says.