August 2011

TLTA BOARD UPDATE

TLTA Holds Board Planning Meeting

The TLTA Board of Directors and Committee Chairs met last month in Austin for their annual planning session. The two-day meeting included an orientation, leadership training and strategic planning for the new year. Past President Bickford Shaw (1994-95) shared insights on how volunteer leaders can best work together to serve the association. TLTA President Phyllis Mulder laid out her goals for the new year, which include continuing the Regional Town Hall Meetings this fall and holding the first Alex H. Halff Leadership Academy in April.

TLTA staff also reviewed the association's finances and provided an update on regulatory and legislative issues at the state and federal level. Many of these issues will also be discussed at the Regional Town Hall Meetings in the coming weeks, so mark your calendars and plan to attend the meeting nearest you. You may view a list of the 2011-2012 Board of Directors here, or view the TLTA Committees here. The Board meets regularly and they represent you, so please contact any member of the Board or TLTA Executive Vice President & CEO Leslie Midgley with issues or concerns you would like to have addressed by the TLTA Leadership.

Regional Town Hall Meeting Schedule

Houston - August 23
El Paso - September 8
Abilene - September 20
Fort Worth - September 20
Dallas - September 21
San Antonio - October 5
Corpus Christi - October 18
McAllen - October 19
Austin - November 2
Waco - November 8
Tyler - November 9
College Station - November 17

Get more information and register for a meeting here.

Welcome to Our New Members

We would like to welcome our newest members to TLTA. A list of new members approved in July by the TLTA Board of Directors can be viewed here.

BUSINESS & INDUSTRY NEWS

Perry Appoints Eleanor Kitzman New TDI Commissioner

Governor Rick Perry has appointed Eleanor Kitzman as Texas Commissioner of Insurance, effective August 15, 2011, for a term to expire February 1, 2013, according to an announcement from his office.

"We welcome the new commissioner and look forward to working with her," said TLTA President Phyllis Mulder. "TLTA is also grateful for Commissioner Mike Geeslin's leadership over the past six years and we wish him the best in his future endeavors."

Kitzman is the outgoing executive director of the South Carolina Budget and Control Board, and is past director of the South Carolina Department of Insurance. She is also a former clerk for the Texas Supreme Court, and a past associate at Akin, Gump, Strauss and Feld in Austin. She is a member of the State Bar of Texas and South Carolina Bar Association.

Kitzman received a bachelor's degree from the University of Houston and a law degree from South Texas College of Law.

ALTA Promotes Michelle Korsmo to CEO

The American Land Title Association (ALTA), recently announced the appointment of Michelle Korsmo as Chief Executive Officer. Korsmo has been serving as Chief Operating Officer for ALTA. She joined ALTA in 2008 when she was names senior vice president, marketing and member programs. Since coming to ALTA, Korsmo has helped guide the association to record membership and revenues, while increasing contributions to the Title Industry Political Action Committee. View the full company press release.

The Moving Stresses We Often Forget About

By Celia Goode-Haddock
Chairman of the Board & CEO | University Title Company

A title company may handle multiple closings in one day, but to the buyer or seller, the transaction is the only one they have that day and probably for many years to come – and it is our job to make it as smooth as possible.

There are often closing delays caused by reports running late or lenders not receiving underwriter approval when originally planned and these events cause undue stress on everyone involved. However, it was only as a recent home buyer that I realized there are additional causes for stress that we, at the title company, often fail to realize. Read the full article.

When Winners Win, Losers Pay

By Gabriel Lopez
Associate Counsel at the Texas Association of Realtors

If you, like me, grew up around siblings, I’m sure the following situation came up countless times: You’re playing with a toy. Your little brother has plenty of toys that he could play with, but he wants yours. So, he tries to take it from you. If you successfully keep him from getting the toy, wouldn’t you consider yourself the prevailing party?

It sounds pretty simple right? Yet, the legal system initially did not follow this logic, denying the prevailing real estate broker in a lawsuit the compensation to which he was due. But through a successful appeal backed by the Texas Association of REALTORS Legal Fund, the broker received his compensation—and in the process upheld the “loser pays” provision in many of TAR’s contracts for all Texas realtors.
Read the full article.

MEETING YOUR NEEDS - TLTA TOOLS & RESOURCES

Webinar: Drafting Effective Compliance Plans

Tuesday, August 23, 2011 | 11:00 a.m. - Noon CDT Designed for: Owners & Managers
Prying investigations, lengthy audits or troublesome enforcement actions got you down? Employees confused about their regulatory responsibilities or unsettled about allegations of wrongdoing? Compliance planning can help you avoid these problems. Attend this webinar to learn how to save money by improving workplace efficiencies and reducing your exposure to administrative liability through effective compliance planning.

Learn more & register online | Download registration form (.pdf) | Webinar replay archive

4 TLTA Professional Certification Test Dates This Fall

Stand Up. Stand Out. Get Certified!
Demonstrate your expertise to clients as a TLTA Certified Title Professional and become a part of an elite group of title professionals. Certification testing is available across the state this fall, and it's not too late to sign up. Start the TLTA Professional Certification process today by visiting the links below or contact our staff Certification specialist, Kim Schoppert at 512.472.6593.

Test Dates and Locations
September 8 - El Paso

October 11 - Houston

October 13 - DFW
November 9 - Tyler Application Deadlines
August 26 - El Paso
September 19 - Houston/DFW
October 18 – Tyler

How Do I Get Started? | Certification Designations | Certification Study Resources

Individual Membership Free Through September!

We want to use this free trial period to prove to you the value of Individual Membership in TLTA. By becoming an Individual Member, you'll help TLTA show strength in numbers, aiding our mission to educate elected officials and promote the importance of title insurance in Texas. In addition to growing our ranks, there are other benefits to becoming a card carrying member of your industry association, including:

Your name alphabetically listed in the TLTA Membership Directory
Help TLTA demonstrate strength in numbers

Priority registration for TLTA programs
Sign up now and your free membership will last until October - after that, it's just $20 annually, or $80 for a five-year membership.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Matthew Wilson, Escrow Officer, Sierra Title Company

How did you get started in the title industry?
Seven years ago I was recruited into the title industry from the service industry.

What are some of the biggest challenges you face as a title professional?
Since I was an Escrow Officer at the fairly young age of 24, my knowledge has been constantly quizzed and questioned. This has been a great motivator for me to continue to learn more and become that much more knowledgeable in my field.

What's the most unusual situation you've encountered in the title industry?
I was at the closing table as a first year closer and found out that one of the sellers had a $120,000 child support lien against him for three kids his current wife didn't know he had. Needless to say it didn't close!

Why are you an Individual Member?
I am a TLTA Individual Member because I know how much it means to our industry as a whole to have an organization that looks out for us, especially since title insurance is continually under fire.

What is the best professional development advice you've gotten lately?
To delegate what you can so you can focus on the big picture.

Name 3 artists in your IPod?
Pearl Jam, Widespread Panic, Led Zeppelin

What's your biggest guilty pleasure?
Skydiving has to be it. Doing it once was not enough and I have kids so I guess that is where the "guilt" comes from.

NEWS FROM THE TLTA COMMUNITY

Mike Savas to Serve as First American Texas Underwriting Manager

Mike Savas, a 19-year veteran of the title industry, has assumed duties as Manager of the Texas Underwriting Department for First American. He replaces Tim Redding, who had been grooming Savas to eventually take over the day-to-day managing of the Underwriting Department. Redding will remain with First American through the end of the year as Senior Underwriting Counsel and Legislative Liason. View the full company press release.

Alliant Adds New COO and CIO

Alliant National Title Insurance Company recently announced that Carol Mastrofini, J.D., joined the company as Chief Operating Officer. As COO, she is charged with overseeing agency and legal requirements. Alliant also recently announced that David Sinclair has joined the company as Alliant National’s CIO, effective May 1, 2011. He brings over 20 years experience in information technology leadership. View the full company press releases.

Corridor Title Announces Three Promotions

Corridor Title Company, based in Dripping Springs, recently announced three promotions. Bob Willis recently joined the company as their new Plant Director, bringing over 30 years of industry experience, 28 of them in Central Texas, and most recently, he was Vice President and Plant Manager of North American Title’s Austin office. Jayne Heckmann was also promoted to Chief Financial Officer and Human Resources Director. She has been with Corridor since before their licensure in October 2010 and served as an Escrow Officer, as well as director of financial and personnel issues. Sharon Herbert was also recently promoted to Vice President. She joined Corridor in October 2010, the same week that the Corridor was first licensed as a Hays County Agent, and has served as Area Manager since.

Jayne Heckmann Press Release | Bob Willis Press Release | Sharon Herbert Press Release

Jason Bragg Joins National Investors Title Insurance Company

National Investors Title Insurance Company recently announced the addition of Jason Bragg as Vice President and Texas Agency Representative. Jason will be supporting National Investors Title’s existing agents and expanding their agency network in Texas. View the full company press release.

Texan Title Holdings Acquires Brazos County Abstract Company

Patrick Doyle’s Texan Title Holdings, LLC, parent company of South Land Title, LLC recently announced it is acquiring Brazos County Abstract Company. Brazos County Abstract will become part of the South Land Title family and is the third office to be added to the group since February. The name will remain the same. View the full company press release