In an industry built on precision, trust, and accountability, Bryce Guignard stands out for the way he leads. As president of Guignard Company, a family-founded surety agency serving contractors since 1977, he brings a balanced mix of tradition and progress to every client relationship.
For Bryce, success in surety isn’t about playing it safe; it’s about understanding the realities contractors face and building solutions that keep their projects moving. His leadership centers on responsiveness, transparency, and collaboration, values that have long defined the Guignard name.
A second-generation bonding professional, Bryce has guided the firm through a period of growth and modernization, expanding capabilities while preserving the personal approach that sets Guignard apart. In this interview, he shares how activity, engagement, and trust drive both his team’s success and his vision for the future of risk management.
How has your company adapted its business strategy to address evolving client needs in the current economic climate?
There hasn’t really been a change in strategy. Since we know the concerns of our industry, we adjust our conversations with our contractor clients to include questions that are pertinent in the current economic climate, such as availability of labor, impact of inflation, and potential price increases from tariffs.
What do you see as the most significant challenges and opportunities facing the surety industry in the next 3-5 years, and how are you and your team preparing?
As an industry, many seasoned surety professionals will be retiring and there’s an industry concern about replacing the top talent. For our agency, we have team members ranging in age from 20 to 70, so we feel good about our bench strength. We believe in the transfer of knowledge, so we work hard to ensure that our experienced team members take time to work with those who are younger or less experienced.
Can you describe your leadership philosophy and how it influences the culture and operations at Guignard?
I can’t define leadership philosophy in just one word, but I can share my values. I want to be a good communicator by listening and having empathy. I want our people to feel free to bring up any topic and know they will receive an honest answer. I believe strongly in teamwork and elevating people to their full potential. I believe there are no problems that cannot be overcome. I work to be lighthearted and optimistic; and I try to lead by example. If I’m successful in doing all of this, then our culture will be pretty good, and it is.
How do you foster innovation within Guignard Company?
We push our underwriters to think outside the box. We keep open minds, and we, as an agency, embrace new technologies. We push ourselves.
What key metrics do you focus on to measure the success of your company, beyond financial performance?
I focus on the activity of our people. Are we out spreading our message? What are we doing to improve our great customer service? Are we having fun while doing this? Those are my metrics that lead to success.
How do you ensure that your team remains knowledgeable and effective in a constantly changing regulatory industry and market landscape?
We encourage education and active participation in trade associations. We work to share what we learn.
Looking back, what was a pivotal leadership decision you made, and what did you learn from it?
I believe my focus on communication in school has helped me to become a stronger listener and leader. I also believe understanding the benefit of trust has helped me as a leader. I work to develop trust in all that I do because trust speeds up transactions.