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Jorge Mendez

2025 Surety Elite Hall of Fame Inductee

Senior Vice President, Surety Bond Manager/Partner | USI Southwest | Phoenix, Arizona

Jorge Mendez has decades of commitment to the surety industry and is a leading figure in the Arizona surety market, where he began his long-standing relationship with Merchants in 1991. He established a trusted partnership, and friendship, with Bill Warner, Sr., which extended to the early underwriters on his accounts; Bill Warner, Jr. and Larry Taylor. Many of his accounts have remained with Merchants for more than 25 years — a true testament to Jorge’s focus on relationships. His support across the years has contributed immensely to Merchants’ success. Jorge plans to retire at the end of 2025 and we’re very pleased to honor him as one of our inaugural inductees. We asked him to reflect on the surety industry, his career, and what it means to be part of the Merchants Surety Elite Hall of Fame.

“Jorge’s story is one of friendship as much as it is of professional success. His bond with Merchants’ leadership, especially Bill Warner, Sr., reflects the very best of what this business is built on—trust, respect, and genuine care for one another. His place in the Surety Elite Hall of Fame honors not just a career of excellence, but the personal connections that will always be remembered at Merchants.”
— Larry Taylor, Chairman of the Board and President / Merchants Bonding Company

Q: What trends do you see happening, what are your predictions for the future of surety?

Jorge: After years of soft market conditions, I believe a hard market is coming. Rising claims, inflationary pressures, and other factors will lead to stricter underwriting standards. Reinsurers will require higher retentions, and higher rates will lead to higher premiums and reduced capacity.

Q: What are the biggest opportunities?

Jorge: The confluence of the SBA’s recently raised limits and the infrastructure boom, with more than $1.2 trillion allocated for roads, bridges, energy, and broadband, means there’s room for growth for any size account.

Q: What do you want your legacy to be?

Jorge: To be known as The Bond Whisperer!

Q: What does it mean to be inducted into the Surety Elite Hall of Fame?

Jorge: This honor is humbling and reminds me that success is never a solo act. It’s built on late nights, early mornings, setbacks that taught resilience, and breakthroughs that sparked momentum. I’ve been fortunate to work alongside and with people who inspired excellence, demanded integrity, and never settled for “good enough.” Thank you.