Leadership with results-driven impact.
Joseph Ruch
Vice President of Surety
As Vice President of Frankenmuth Surety, Joe brings more than 30 years of experience in the construction industry and nearly 20 years in Surety operations. Joe joined the company in 2019, as Senior Director and head of Credit and Risk. His evaluation process for understanding the operations of a contractor consists of an assessment of the senior management team and their level of oversight, the entity’s internal control structure, and the job costing systems to determine reporting capabilities. His areas of focus and expertise include portfolio and enterprise risk management, credit modeling, financial statement and tax interpretations, forensic financial investigations, and evaluating individual contractors and single-project risks. Joe is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a member of the Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA). He has a master’s degree in Finance and has presented at CFMA and International Risk Management Institute (IRMI) conferences. Contact Joe by email or phone at
704-421-7003.
Erik Steenken
Vice President of Field Operations
Erik Steenken brings 13 years of surety experience and eight years of management experience to Frankenmuth Surety. Erik directs corporate efforts for profitability, growth, and service levels of all profit centers; supports the development and communication of strategic and operational plans; and supervises the surety business unit across all regions. Erik has extensive knowledge and experience with contract and commercial surety, underwriting, business development, and leading teams. He holds a Juris Doctor degree in law from St. Mary’s University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree in government from the University of Texas at Austin. He also holds his Associate in Fidelity and Surety Bonding designation. Contact Erik by email or phone at 512-657-9006.
Mitch Smith
Credit and Risk Director
Mitch is the Credit and Risk Director for Frankenmuth Surety. He comes from a Top 5 surety writer and brings more than 10 years of experience in the financial and surety industry. Mitch has a strong technical skillset with expertise in large contract surety. He is continuously thinking outside of the box in order to come up with mutually beneficial solutions. Based out of Indianapolis, Mitch covers the Midwest with a focus on IN, OH, MI, IL, MO, and KS. Contact Mitch by email or phone at 704-421-7009.
Kevin McCosh
Northeast Regional Director
Kevin brings first-rate construction experience to Frankenmuth Surety. After graduating with degrees in Civil Engineering and Construction Management, Kevin spent 26 years working with construction companies. He led field supervision, estimating/project management, and operations management. By working in these various positions, Kevin acquired extensive, hands-on knowledge of contractor operations and construction processes. At Frankenmuth Surety, Kevin works proactively with team members to provide value-added services to agents and contractors. Contact Kevin by email or phone at 704-421-7006.
Kathleen Maloney
Claims Director
Kathleen is Director of Surety Claims for Frankenmuth Surety. Kathleen has been involved in handling surety claims for nearly 30 years and has managed accounts throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. From claims of varying complexity and bonds of varying size, Kathleen brings a detail-oriented approach to organizing and processing information. Kathleen comes to Frankenmuth from a Top 10 surety writer. Contact Kathleen by email or phone at 704-421-7002.