WEST DES MOINES, Iowa, October 20, 2026 — Merchants Bonding Company announced today that Cody White has been promoted to Senior Vice President – Contract East Division, effective November 2, 2026. In the role, White will oversee contract underwriting across the company's South, Southeast and Northeast regions.
White will report to Jason Dettbarn, Senior Vice President - National Contract Surety Leader, who announced the promotion. White most recently served as Regional Vice President – Contract Underwriting.
White joined Merchants in 2006 as an intern in the Contract Underwriting Department and began working full time as a Contract Underwriter in 2008 after earning a Bachelor's degree in Finance from the University of Iowa. He was promoted to Senior Contract Underwriter in 2014 and that year relocated to Texas to lead Merchants' Dallas/Fort Worth office, where he accelerated the office's growth. He was named Assistant Vice President – Contract Underwriting – Dallas in 2017. White holds the Associate in Fidelity and Surety Bonding (AFSB) designation.
"I started here as an intern, and Merchants has given me room to grow at every step," White said. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to lead this team and to keep building on the relationships our underwriters have with agents across these regions."
Merchants Bonding Company has approximately $340 million in Direct Written Premium, more than $450 million in policyholder surplus, and 300 associates dedicated to surety. The company has set an ambitious growth vision while maintaining its commitment to financial strength, disciplined underwriting, exceptional service, and lasting relationships with agents and customers.
"Cody has spent his whole career at Merchants, and at every step he's shown he can grow a business without losing sight of how we underwrite," said Dettbarn. "He built our Dallas/Fort Worth office into a strong, growing operation, and he understands what contractors and agents need from their surety partner. I'm confident he'll bring that same leadership to our East Division."
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About Merchants Bonding Company
Founded in 1933 and headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa, Merchants Bonding Company is a national leader in surety, with more than 90 years of experience underwriting contract and commercial surety bonds. Family-led across generations, Merchants has long invested in the technology, relationships, and underwriting expertise that move surety forward and remains committed to strengthening the industry as a whole.
Media Contact
Melíssa Harden — Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Merchants Bonding Company. (515) 561-9032