Learn About Howard and Marla

Born in Oklahoma near the end of World War II, Howard grew up in North Louisiana as his father followed the oil fields with Halliburton. He graduated first in his class at Haynesville High School and was a member of the National Honor Society, served on the Student Council and attended Pelican Boys State.

Having received an academic scholarship, Howard obtained his B.A. in philosophy in 1967 from Louisiana Tech where he graduated summa cum laude. He was chosen for Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities, was elected to the Student Senate, served as President of the Baptist Student Union, and was a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, a men’s leadership fraternity.

Howard was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study at the University of Munich in 1967-68. While there he studied political science under Eric Voegelin at the Max Weber Institute of Political Science. Upon return to the United States, he enlisted in the Air Force. He was sent to the Defense Language Institute where he graduated with honors. After training, he was assigned as an Airborne Linguist/Analyst in the Air Force Security Service at

Rhein Main Air Force Base. He was award an Air Medal with two Oak Leave Clusters before being honorably discharged in 1972.

In 1973, Safeco Insurance Company of America hired Howard as an underwriter trainee in their surety department in Dallas. While in Dallas, he was chosen to serve on two internal audit teams. He was later named as Regional Surety Manager for the Nashville region where he became the first surety manager to receive the “Dixie Dandy” marketing award.

Howard left the company ranks in 1977 to move to Texas as an agent. While working for Republic Hogg Robinson in Lubbock, he served as Bond Manager, Finance Officer and Agency Manager before forming his own agency in 1967. His licenses and professional certifications include a Texas General Lines Agent license, a Group II Life and Health license and certifications as a Certified Insurance Counselor and Certified Financial Planner.

Howard has been actively involved with the National Association of Surety Bond Producers (NASBP) since he established his agency. He has served as a Regional Vice President, a Director and Chairman of the Finance Committee. He is currently the First Vice President of the Executive Committee. Howard was awarded the NASBP Presidential Service Award in 2009. He has also served as President of Texas Good Roads, the Lubbock Construction Specification Institute chapter and the Texas Surety Federation.

Civic activities have included service as Treasurer of his church, membership on the Lubbock Independent School District Bond Oversight Committee, the Texas Tech Silver Spur Society, and the Baylor University Development Council.

Marla was born and grew up in Seminole, Texas. She graduated from Seminole High School where she participated in volleyball and track and served as a cheerleader. She began her career in the insurance industry in 1984 when she joined Republic Hogg Robinson’s claims administration subsidiary, Penn General Southwest, in Lubbock, Texas. She completed the necessary training to obtain her Texas Adjuster Licenses Type II & III. She was primarily responsible for handling General Liability claims for corporate clients.

In 1991, Marla joined what became Cowan-Hill Bond Agency, Inc. As Chief Operating Officer, her responsibilities included client service, underwriting, accounting and managing agency systems. After joining the agency, she attended South Plains Junior College where she maintained a 4.0 Grade Point Average in Business Management. She received surety training at St. Paul Fidelity & Surety seminars and National Association of Surety Bond Producers Surety Schools Levels I, II and III. Marla also obtained her Texas General Lines License.

Marla’s professional activities include serving on the Membership Committee of the National Association of Surety Bond Producers. She is also active in various chapters of the Associated General Contractors. She participates in the activities of the Construction Specification Institute, the Texas Surety Federation and the Fast Growth School Coalition. She is a member of the Finance Committee of her church.