Market Partners
For over 25 years, Avalon Risk has delivered specialized surety capacity to small, MWDVBE-certified, and emerging contractors across the NY, NJ, and FL markets.
Founded in 1999 by Scott Adams in Cedar Knolls, NJ, Avalon Risk was built on the belief that every qualified contractor deserves access to bonding — and that the right partner, bringing intelligent underwriting and efficient execution to the equation, can make it possible. Most surety companies see emerging contractors as too risky to support. We see capable businesses that need a partner willing to look at the full picture: character, expertise, track record, and the strength of their team.
Our commitment is responsiveness, honest counsel, and a genuine long-term relationship. We work closely with contractors, their agents, and the stakeholders around them to structure bonds that work — not just for a first project, but to help contractors grow into larger ones, build stronger financial profiles, and develop the track record that opens new doors over time. For established and standard-market contractors, we bring those same relationships to bear — placing larger bonds with marquee, blue-chip carrier partners whose names and ratings open doors on the largest and most competitive projects.
The Avalon family of companies — including Lighthouse Management Services for funds control, disbursement, and project monitoring — provides an integrated ecosystem of resources for contractors, producers, developers, and public agencies at every stage of a project.
Work With Us
We employ a blend of unique underwriting and marketing practices that enable us to deliver surety capacity to a wider spectrum of risk profiles than any standard bonding company.
Performance bonds, payment bonds, and bid bonds for emerging and MWDVBE-certified contractors in NY, NJ, and FL. Our underwriting evaluates the whole contractor — not just the balance sheet.
Core specialtySpecialized programs where we have developed deep in-house expertise. Includes lien bonds and select classes of financial surety bonds.
Niche programsBid review consulting, project monitoring, and escrow/disbursement control through our Lighthouse Management Services affiliate — a comprehensive risk ecosystem for emerging contractors.
Via Lighthouse affiliate"Our staff employs a blend of unique underwriting and marketing practices that enables us to deliver surety capacity to a wider spectrum of risk profiles — bringing a rational, common-sense approach to emerging contractor bonding."
Construction Risk Management & Escrow Services
Lighthouse Management Services is Avalon's specialized affiliate providing the surety industry's most critical risk-reduction tools: independent bid reviews, project monitoring, and funds disbursement control.
For emerging contractors, Lighthouse transforms a project's risk profile — enabling bonding companies, banks, and GCs to extend credit and capacity they otherwise would not. For contractors, it means access to larger contracts and higher bonding limits.
We use engineers, attorneys, and surety experts with decades of experience. Every arrangement is custom-tailored — not off-the-shelf escrow.
Inquire About LighthouseIndependent expert review of bids to surface issues early and provide confidence to all parties before a project breaks ground.
Structured management of project funds that strengthens contractor credit and gives bonding companies, lenders, and owners greater confidence throughout the project lifecycle.
Ongoing, on-site oversight and advisory services by experienced construction professionals to track progress and keep all stakeholders informed throughout the project.
Custom escrow arrangements tailored to each transaction, providing secure fund management for a wide range of business and construction needs.
The standard surety model is built for large, established contractors with CPA-audited financials and 10-year track records. That leaves most of the construction market underserved.
Avalon evaluates the totality of a contractor's situation — character, expertise, work type, collateral, and project structure. When the answer is yes, every approved contractor receives access to a bonding commitment with fair terms and conditions.
We serve the NJ/NY emerging contractor market that most bonding companies avoid — and have done so consistently for over 25 years.
A proprietary toolkit of underwriting and project management techniques developed specifically for the emerging contractor market.
We take a common-sense approach to our underwriting, and deliver equitable access on fair terms.
A track record of strong underwriting outcomes and supportive claims management; our hands-on team works with you to resolve issues before they escalate.
41 years in surety. Career began at CIGNA and Reliance Insurance before leading Amwest Surety's NYC territory as VP. Founded Avalon in 1999 and pioneered emerging contractor underwriting techniques recognized industry-wide. Built Avalon companies into a full-service platform spanning surety, funds control, and construction risk management. B.A. Middlebury College.
37+ years in surety. Career began at Seaboard Surety Company, followed by AIG and VP of Surety at Willis of New York. Most recently served as President of Centaur Insurance Services, a surety bond specialty agency. Designated by the MTA and SCA as consultant for their MWDBE Mentor Programs. Joined Avalon in 2022. B.S. Management, St. Francis College.
VP at Lighthouse Management Services since 2021. 14+ years in commercial insurance serving small businesses and large contractors. Brings legal training and analytical rigor to funds control operations, contractor compliance, and surety risk management. Dedicated advocate for inclusion and opportunity for women and small firms. LLM, St. John's University.
Background in management consulting (BCG), corporate strategy, regulatory compliance, and operations with deep exposure to surety and construction risk. Founder of Access Builders Group, a construction project monitoring firm serving bonded contractors. PhD, Stanford University; BS/BA, Brown University.
Second-generation surety professional. P&C licensed. Joined Avalon in 2022 after 7 years managing project accounting at a large civil contractor, bringing hands-on knowledge of contractor financials and job cost structures to the underwriting process. BA, Montclair State University.
18+ years across consulting, financial markets, and corporate finance. Former senior roles at KPMG and Banco Espírito Santo. Manages financial operations, reporting, and strategic planning across the Avalon family of companies. Joined Avalon in 2025. Masters in Finance, Rutgers Business School.
Strategic account manager supporting Avalon's contractor clients across bond issuance, underwriting documentation, and client development. Background in real estate and client services. Joined Avalon in 2020 and plays a central role in seamless coordination between contractors, sureties, and internal teams.
Joined Avalon Risk in 2023, initially part-time while developing a foundation in surety. Transitioned to a full-time Account Manager role in 2025. Plays a key role in underwriting support, bond processing, and client documentation. Currently attending Florida Atlantic University.
NYS Licensed Civil Engineer with 25+ years in construction project management. Leads construction operations and surety bond risk analysis at Lighthouse Management. Extensive experience managing multimillion-dollar renovation projects across NYC. BS/MS Civil Engineering, CCNY.
Leads field operations for Lighthouse-managed projects, conducting on-site assessments that feed directly into financial tracking, schedule documentation, and surety reporting. Manages contractor relationships across Lighthouse's active portfolio. Background in construction, historical restoration, and property management. Joined Lighthouse in 2023. Rutgers University.
Disbursement Coordinator at Lighthouse Management Services since 2024, responsible for the timely and accurate disbursement of funds across active construction projects to ensure seamless project execution. MBA in Management and Engineering of Products and Services, University of São Paulo.
Active or previous member of every major surety and construction trade organization serving the NJ/NY market.
Whether you're an emerging contractor seeking your first bond, a producer looking for a reliable surety partner, or a public agency needing capacity for MWDVBE contractors — Avalon is here.
240 Cedar Knolls Road, Suite 308
Cedar Knolls, NJ 07927
Tel: (973) 993-5401
Specialty emerging contractor surety in NY, NJ & FL. Standard market bonding in all 50 states via AM Best "A"-rated carrier partners.
Avalon Risk affiliate providing construction risk management, disbursement control, project monitoring, bid review, and custom escrow services.
Contact Avalon's main office to reach the Lighthouse team.
Send your inquiry to:
submissions@avalonriskllc.comClick to open in your email client, or copy the address above.