July 13, 2005
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T2R - Or Not? by Joey Prohaska, Assistant Vice President, Western Region Training Coordinator, Southern Title Insurance Corporation |
In April, 2002, the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) promulgated the Short Form Mortgagee Policy of Title Insurance known as the T-2R. The justification and purpose of this promulgated form was to help streamline the process of policy review for the lending community. The ALTA short form mortgagee policy has been available to lenders in other states for several years and in 2002 Texas responded to the requests from the lending institutions to provide a product that would more efficiently and effectively reduce their turn around time in packaging and selling their loans. It reduces paper and hopes to minimize clerical errors. More story
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RAVE REVIEWS FOR THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN GRAPEVINE |
We've received some
wonderful comments and compliments from those of you who attended the TLTA Annual Conference at
the Gaylord Texan Resort and
Convention Center in June. Your feedback indicates that you loved
the venue, the programs and the Elvis impersonator! What else could you ask for?
This year's special events featured the PAC Golf Tournament held at the
fantastic Cowboys Golf Club, followed by an Opening Party with a hot salsa band and fabulous food in
the beautiful Ama Lur
restaurant. The educational sessions offered something for everyone – from Fashions to Fraud
awareness. The venue, activities and program were a winning combination for more than
400 participants who enjoyed it all – and also got to peruse 25 sponsor displays.
We hope to
continue the fun next year when we are Taking it to Tahoe June 5-7, 2006.
Click here to view the conference photo album.
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TLTA AWARD WINNERS RECOGNIZED AT ANNUAL CONFERENCE |
The General Session of the Annual Conference was the setting for the presentation of a number of awards to TLTA members who have demonstrated excellence in their profession. PEA Committee Chairman Sally Vetters presented the Professional Excellence Awards to four deserving TLTA members. The Award for Outstanding Abstract Personnel was presented to Linda Crittenden, Lawyers Title Agency of Texarkana, Inc. The award for Outstanding Agent Support Personnel was presented to Joyce A. “Jake” Robins, LandAmerica American Title Company. Bonnie Fultz Armstrong, Navasota Abstract & Title Company, Inc. was the recipient of the award for Outstanding Escrow Personnel. The award for Outstanding Underwriter Support Personnel was presented to Janet Minke, LandAmerica Financial Group, Inc.
 Sally Vetters (l) and Linda Crittendon (r), winner of the Outstanding Abstract Personnel Award.
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 Outstanding Agent Support Award Winner Joyce "Jake" Robins (l) and PEA Chair Sally Vetters (r)
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Sally Vetters (l) and Outstanding Escrow Personnel Award Winner Bonnie Fultz Armstrong (r) |
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The Peggy Hayes Teaching Award was presented to Denise Werst, Vice President Quality Assurance with First American Title Insurance Company, for her contributions to the TLTA Land Title School. This year there were four recipients of the E. Gordon Smith Award, and E. Gordon Smith was on hand to present the awards. Winners included: Maureen McNutt Cory of Title Resources Guaranty Company, Lisa De Marco of Barrett, Burke, Wilson, Castle, Daffin and Frappier, LLP, Chris Flynn with ACS Title Records Corporation and Jim Bintz with Andrews Abstract Company, who was unable to attend the awards ceremony. (See photos below)
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Norma Lea
Beasley was awarded Honorary Membership |
Norma
Lea Beasley, Chairman Emeritus of Title Texas and founder and CEO of one of
the largest groups of independent title insurance companies, was awarded
Honorary Membership in the Texas Land Title Association
in
recognition of sustained meritorious services rendered over many years to the
title profession. Norma has also been
a tireless civic worker; champion for
women’s equality in the business world and a pioneer of the real estate
profession in Texas.
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title person AND PRESIDENT'S AWARD WINNERS |
Jack
Rattikin, III, President and CEO of Rattikin Title Company in Fort Worth was
named title person of the Year during the annual conference. A past president of TLTA and the Fort
Worth Land Title Association, Rattikin was named TLTA’s “Outstanding Young
Title Person” in 1994. He is currently serving on the Board of Governors of the American Land Title Association and
is also involved in numerous civic and community endeavors.
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G. Roland Love (l) accepts the President's Award from |
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G. Roland Love, attorney with
Winstead Sechrest & Minick,
P. C. in Dallas, received the 2005 TLTA
President’s Award during the annual conference.
Roland
has served as Chairman of the Land Title Institute for three years, and recently signed on for a fourth. Although he has avoided the limelight and rarely
takes credit for the many contributions he has made to TLTA over the years, his expertise and guidance has been a tremendous benefit to
our association and the title industry.
President Terry Grantham
recognized Roland's efforts during the awards ceremony held on June 11.
Tom Rutledge, TLTA Counsel
was presented with a special award
by TLTA President Terry Grantham during the annual conference
awards ceremony. Tom was recognized for his many years of service to TLTA and its members.
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BRUCE LIESMAN INSTALLED AS TLTA PRESIDENT |
Bruce
D. Liesman of Fidelity National Title Insurance in San Antonio was installed on June
10, 2005 as TLTA President during the General Session of the Annual Conference.
Liesman earned a BA at the University of Texas at Austin and graduated from the
UT School of Law, (J.D.) He is a member of the State Bar of Texas and the San
Antonio Bar Association.
In addition to serving on numerous TLTA committees over the years, Bruce has served
on TLTA's Board of Directors for six years, and as Chairman of the Rates, Rules
and Forms Committee, Education Task Force, and the Certification Task Force.
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2005-2006 TLTA BOARD MEETINGS |
Click here for a schedule of the 2005-2006 TLTA Board Meetings.
We encourage you to get involved in your
professional association by attending one of TLTA's board meetings. A preliminary agenda is
available approximately one week prior to each meeting and can be obtained by
calling the TLTA office at 800.472.1711.
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TLTA 2005-2006 COMMITTEE MEETINGS BEGIN THIS MONTH |
TLTA Committee meetings for 2005-2006 are scheduled to resume this month. Our
staff and committee chairs are busily arranging meeting dates and preparing
agendas for upcoming meetings. If you have been chosen to serve on one of this
year's committees, thank you in advance for your volunteer effort. We'll be
contacting you soon regarding your committee's meeting schedule.
To view the current meeting schedule,
click here.
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MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY UPDATE FORMS HAVE BEEN MAILED! |
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NEW MEMBERS |
ACTIVE MEMBERS
DFW Title, LLC
Lisa Marie Acquisto, Branch Manager
5850 Town & Country Blvd., Suite 1001
Frisco, TX 75034
County: Collin
Phone: 469.287.7330 Fax: 214.618.3433
email: lisa@dfwtitle.com
Lawyers Abstract & Title Company
Benjamin M. Cornish, General Manager
171 W. Washington St.
Stephenville, TX 76401
County: Erath
Phone: 254.965.5253 Fax: 254.965.6563
email:
bcornish@lawyersabst.com
AccuSource Solutions
1406 Dunn Dr.
Carrollton, TX 75006
County: Dallas
Phone: 972.446.9283 Fax: 972.446.9314
email:
mwood@accusourcesolutions.net
website:
www.accusourcesolutions.net
Tommy L. Carter,
Attorney at Law
Tommy Carter
8350 N. Central Expressway, Suite 789
Dallas, TX 75206
County: Dallas
Phone: 214.360.7218 Fax: 214.522.3550
email:
tommycarter@mail.com
Cavness Law Office
Pat E. Cavness
414 S. Live Oak
P. O. Box 409
Lampasas, TX 76550
County: Lampasas
Phone: 512.556.3639 Fax: 512.556.0423
email: clo414@sbcglobal.net
Extract Systems
Paige Krause, Marketing Director
8383 Greenway Blvd., Suite 500
Middleton, WI 53562
County: Out of State
Phone: 608.664.0570 Fax: 608.664.0569
email: paige@extractsystems.com
website: www.extractsystems.com
Gratzer & Company
Ginny M. Gratzer, CPA
418 Forest Dr.
P. O. Box 389
Lake Jackson, TX 77566
County: Brazoria
Phone: 979.299.1989 Fax: 979.299.3131
email: g2gratzer@houston.rr.com
Integrity Title Records,
Ltd. LLP
Marian Cones, Vice President
9800 Northwest Freeway, Suite 400
P. O. Box 70558
Houston, TX 77270
County: Harris
Phone: 713.683.8030 Fax: 713.683.0829
email: mcones@integritytc.com
NextAce Corporation
Max A. Harris, Executive Vice
President
15222 Del Amo Avenue
Tustin, CA 92780
Phone: 714.566.9000
email: max.harris@nextace.com
website: www.nextace.com
TitleStar of Texas, LLC
Abbe L. Patton, Operations Officer
1500 S. Dairy Ashford, Suite 448
Houston, TX 77077
County: Harris
Phone: 281.504.2458 Fax: 281.504.2407
email: lindap@bbwcdf.com
| PRESENTATIONS FROM THE 2005 ANNUAL CONFERENCE AVAILABLE VIA THE WEB! |
As promised, we are providing a link to several of the presentations from the Annual Conference education sessions.*
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Click here to access Joe Casa's October Research presentation.
*TLTA (including its employees and agents) assumes no responsibility for consequences resulting from the use of information herein, (or from use of the information obtained at linked Internet addresses,) or in any respect for the content of such information, including (but not limited to) errors or omissions, the accuracy or reasonableness of factual or scientific assumptions, studies or conclusions, the defamatory nature of statements, ownership of copyright or other intellectual property rights, and the violation of property, privacy, or personal rights of others. TLTA is not responsible for, and expressly disclaims all liability for, damages of any kind arising out of use, reference to, or reliance on such information. No guarantees or warranties, including (but not limited to) any express or implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular use or purpose, are made by TLTA with respect to such information.
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CHAPTER NINE OF THE BASIC MANUAL IS NOW "TITLE XI" |
Chapter 9 of the Insurance Code regarding Title Insurance was rewritten by the Texas Legislature and adopted effective April 1, 2005. The section currently entitled CHAPTER 9, SECTION I in the Texas Title Insurance Basic Manual is now Title XI, Section I. Place your order now for this important update.
*ADDED BONUS!! The Title XI Insurance Code Basic Manual update includes a special supplement to assist you in finding all the familiar articles of Chapter 9 in the new Title XI. This essential tool will take the guess work out of referencing items in the new Title XI. NOTE: You must purchase this update for your Texas Title Insurance Basic Manual to be current.
Click here to order your update online
Click here to
download an order form.
If you have any questions, please
contact the TLTA Office at 800.472.1711.
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THANKS TO OUR OUTGOING COMMITTEE CHAIRS AND MEMBERS |
We would like to take this
opportunity to extend our thanks to those volunteers who served on TLTA's
2004-2005 Board of Directors, committees, task forces or section executive
committees. Your commitment of time, effort
and expertise in working on a number of challenging and sensitive issues enabled TLTA
to better serve our members and the industry.
Click
here for a roster of 2004-2005 Board members and Committee Chairs.
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2005-2006 EDUCATION SCHEDULE NOW AVAILABLE |
The 2005-2006 schedule
for education programs is in the process of being finalized. This year 16 programs will
be presented in venues all across the state. A brochure for the West Texas
Regional Seminar will be available within the next 2 weeks.
Click here to view the entire 2005-2006
schedule.
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ON THE MOVE |
Charles Fiscus
joins Shackelford, Melton & McKinley
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The Dallas law firm of Shackelford, Melton & McKinley, LLP, announced on June 16
that Charles Fiscus has joined as
a partner in the firm’s real estate section.
Prior to joining Shackelford, Melton & McKinley, he was in private practice in
Addison, Texas. He is also a former Escrow Officer and conveyancing attorney for
First American Title Company in Fort Worth.
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EDWARDS ABSTRACT AND TITLE CO. CELEBRATES 125TH ANNIVERSARY |
Edwards Abstract and Title Co. and the Edwards’ team recently commemorated the
125th anniversary of the company. Mayor Richard Garcia and the Edinburg City
Council recognized Edwards with a special presentation of an official
proclamation recognizing the company’s longevity and service to the City of
Edinburg. According to the records and archives of the Museum of South Texas
History, Edwards Abstract and Title Co. was founded in 1880 in Starr County by
Judge James Henry Edwards who was instrumental in clearing many of the
land
titles throughout the county. He spent many years tirelessly securing data
from early settlers and old records for both Hidalgo and Starr counties.
He traveled into Mexico often to find missing heirs to the Spanish Land Grants.
Judge Edwards practiced law and operated the title company with his wife until
his death on March 3, 1925.
In 1926, Judge Edwards’ widow, L.S. Edwards, and her sons James L. Edwards and
Cecil A. Edwards incorporated and established Edwards Abstract and Title Co. in
Edinburg, Texas and held records of Hidalgo and Starr counties. On January
1, 1984, Jesse D. Hedrick owned and operated the company. Due to his vision and
foresight regarding the growth of Hidalgo County, he expanded locations to
McAllen, Weslaco and Mission, with the headquarters in downtown Edinburg. Byron
Jay Lewis was named President and Director of the company in October, 2001.
City of Edinburg Mayor Richard Garcia (left) and Byron Jay Lewis
(center),
President of Edwards joined by Diana S. Kaufold (right), Vice President
and Edinburg Branch Manager accepting the proclamation on behalf of the company
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PUBLICATIONS & PRODUCTS |
Click here to go to the TLTA On-line Store or to download an
order form
NEW PRODUCT!
DVD
Highlights of the 2005 Seminar
Managing the Title Industry Terrain:
Compliance on Multiple Fronts
*$119 for TLTA members; $199 for non-members
*This price includes escrow continuing education credit for a maximum of 10
people.
After the first 10 people, a $20 per person charge will apply.
Click here
to order ONLINE
Click here for
ORDER FORM (pdf)
“A
Handbook for Texas Abstracters and Title Men”
Written by the late Frank A. Stamper, one of the most distinguished members of
the Texas title insurance industry, this textbook is a must for every title
professional. Topics include The Evolution of Title Evidence and Assurance,
The
OTHER RESOURCES:
Now available from OCTOBER RESEARCH -
National Survey of Independent
Title Agents
This three-volume report is produced by
October Research and is available at a special price for TLTA members.
Click here for an order
form and more information.
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THE GREENSHEET - CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING FOR THE TITLE INDUSTRY |
The TLTA Greensheet is the fastest, easiest way to reach over 5,000 people in the title industry. Whether you're advertising for a job opening or selling your business, equipment or service, an ad in the Greensheet will get immediate results! It's your online connection to industry related employment and business opportunities. Click here for the latest GREENSHEET.
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SEND US YOUR FEEDBACK – AND YOUR IDEAS |
We welcome your comments or
suggestions about DOWNDATE, as well
as other TLTA publications and products. Please forward information to
kathy@tlta.com.
Downdate is published every other month for the benefit of its members. The opinions expressed herein represent the views of the authors and are not necessarily those of TLTA. Downdate and TLTA disclaim any responsibility for views expressed or statements made in any article published in Downdate.
We
apologize if you received this message in error.
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from the TLTA mailing list e-mail tlta@tlta.com
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Texas Land Title Association 1717 West Sixth Street Ste
120 Austin, Texas 78703
512.472.6593