2025 Schedule

INDUSTRY MEET-UPS

• First Time Attendees
• Leadership Academy Alumni
• Certified Professionals and those interested in becoming Certified
• Local Legislative Liaisons

KICK-OFF HOT TOPIC SESSIONS
New FinCEN Residential Cash Transaction Reporting Requirements: What Every Title Agent Needs to Know Now
1 HR ESCROW, 1 HR MCLE AND TREC
Leslie S. Johnson, CTIP
Vice President and Underwriting Counsel, WFG National Title Insurance Company
TLTA Board of Directors; TLTA Judiciary Committee Chair

Big changes are coming. With a new federal reporting rule set to take effect December 1, 2025, residential cash transactions will be under much closer scrutiny. This session breaks down what title agents need to know now, who’s affected, and what steps to take to stay ahead of compliance deadlines.

The Good, the Bad and the Bills: A 2025 Texas Legislative Roundup
1 HR ESCROW, 1 HR MCLE AND TREC
Aaron Day
Vice President of Government Relations and Counsel, TLTA
Steve Streiff
Vice President and Texas State Counsel, Old Republic National Title Insurance Company; TLTA Legislative Chair

Get a fast-paced overview of the big wins, close calls, and curveballs from the most recent activity at the Capitol. With the session wrapping up just days before this presentation, the takeaways will be fresh—and possibly still unfolding. From hot-button issues to surprise vetoes, this session spotlights the outcomes that could directly affect your work. You’ll walk away with clarity, context, and what to keep your eye on next.

OPENING GENERAL SESSIONS
A Candid Conversation: What’s Ahead for the Economy and the Real Estate Market?
Featuring: Odeta Kushi
Deputy Chief Economist and Vice President, First American
Moderated by: Brian Pitman
Co-Founder and CEO, Independence Title Company

Get your popcorn and pull up a chair for this can’t-miss, no-holds-barred conversation about what’s next for the real estate market. What can we expect over the next 24 months? When will mortgage rates drop—and how will that shift impact buyer sentiment, home prices, and refi volume? You’ll also hear about global factors, like the trade war, that could ripple through the housing market. This discussion is packed with practical insights to help you stay ahead of market shifts and make confident decisions for your business. Audience questions welcome as time allows.

The Anatomy of a Hit Song: Lessons in Collaboration, Creativity, and Business Success
Featuring: Derek Wells
Award-Winning Multi-Instrumentalist, Music Publisher, and Producer
Moderated by: Tiffany Kerns
Senior Vice President of Industry Relations & Philanthropy, Country Music Association

Creating a hit song takes more than talent—it requires teamwork, timing, and the ability to adapt under pressure. In this behind-the-scenes session, award-winning producer Derek Wells and nonprofit leader Tiffany Kerns connect the dots between how great music is made and how successful businesses are built. Through stories from the studio and the stage, they’ll explore what it means to collaborate with purpose, lead creative teams, and stay resilient in the face of change. Whether you're managing people or building strategy, this session offers fresh leadership insights from an unexpected place.

EARLY BIRD HOT TOPIC SESSIONS
Navigating the Realtor World Post Legal Settlements – Changes in Practice and Forms
1 HR ESCROW, 1 HR MCLE AND TREC
Lori Levy, RCE, AHWD
General Counsel and Vice President of Legal Affairs, Texas REALTORS

Big changes are underway in the real estate world following recent legal settlements—and they’re already affecting contracts, forms, and the closing process. Lori Levy will walk through updates to TREC’s Paragraph 12, how the changes impact VA buyers, and the new local forms now circulating across the state. You’ll also get a heads-up on proposed legislative changes to agency law and what they could mean for your day-to-day work. If you’re navigating closings in this evolving legal landscape, this session will help you stay informed and one step ahead.

Inside the Mind of a Scammer: Identity Proofing Your Closings
1 HR ETHICS (ESCROW & MCLE) , 1 HR TREC ELECTIVE
Tyler Adams
CEO, CertifID
Paul Stine
CEO, CloseSimple
Andy White, Ph.D.
CEO, Closinglock
Moderated by: Andi Bolin, CESP, NTP
Vice President Agency Services, Stewart Title Guaranty Company

Fraudsters are getting smarter—and sneakier. Join us for a real-world look at how identity fraud and other scams are evolving, straight from three companies on the frontlines of fraud prevention. Each panelist brings a unique lens to the conversation, highlighting emerging schemes, surprising tactics scammers are using to infiltrate transactions, and practical red flags your team should be watching for right now.

This session is focused on education—not product pitches—and will arm you with actionable tips you can take back to your office. Whether you're a closer, escrow officer, manager, or owner, you’ll leave better prepared to protect your transactions and your customers.

GENERAL SESSION AND BUSINESS MEETING
1 HR ESCROW
Presentation of New TLTA Certified Professionals

Election of 2025-26 Board of Directors

President’s Report: A Year of Challenges, Opportunities, Unity
Claire Hartman, CTIP
Owner/Partner, First Community Title, LLC; TLTA 24-25 President

It’s been a year of hard decisions, big wins, and coming together when it mattered most. TLTA President Claire Hartman shares a candid look at the challenges we’ve faced and the advocacy that helped move the needle. You’ll hear how education, engagement, and the work of passionate volunteers shaped a strong foundation for what’s next.

Defending Your Business from What’s On the Horizon: A Conversation with ALTA President Richard Welshons
Richard Welshons, NTP
Twin Cities Manager, The Title Team and DCA Title

In this fireside chat, ALTA President Richard Welshons shares how national leadership is helping members respond to the biggest challenges and opportunities facing the title and settlement industry today. From FinCEN’s new reporting rules and unregulated alternatives like attorney opinion letters, to efforts promoting title insurance as the best way to protect property rights, you'll get a clear view of where the industry is headed. He'll also explore how AI, cybersecurity, and fraud trends are reshaping operations—and how ALTA is preparing members to adapt. Whether you're focused on policy, technology, or protecting your customers, this session will give you practical insights to stay ahead in a fast-moving landscape.

AI, Adaptability, and the Human Advantage: Leading Title Teams Through Change
David Bravo, Jr.
CEO, Monarch Title Insurance
Bill Svoboda
Co-Founder, CloseSimple

AI and automation are moving fast—but in the title industry, success still hinges on human expertise, judgment, and leadership. This forward-looking keynote will explore how AI is enhancing operations, elevating customer expectations, and offering new opportunities for service and efficiency—all while reinforcing the irreplaceable value of human leadership.

Through real-world examples and practical insights, this session will share strategies for building tech-ready teams, evaluating AI tools with discernment, and leading through change with clarity and confidence. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of where AI fits into today’s title operations—and how to position their teams for long-term success in a rapidly evolving market.

TERRY GRANTHAM MEMORIAL TLTAPAC LUNCH AND ANNUAL MEETING (See PAC Events page for registration)
Power, Politics, and Policy: A Deep Dive into the Capitol Clash
Evan Smith
Senior Advisor, Emerson Collective

Always a conference favorite, Evan Smith returns to deliver his unfiltered insights on what really happened during the latest Texas legislative session. From power struggles to policy wins and everything in between, Evan shares insider stories and behind-the-scenes drama straight from the expert on all things Texas and national politics.

The Insider’s Report: Industry Advocacy Issues Affecting Your Business
1 HR ESCROW, 1 HR MCLE AND TREC
Presented by TLTA’s Advocacy Team

Get the inside scoop on the critical advocacy issues impacting the title industry. This timely, content-rich session will focus on regulatory updates from TDI, the latest on the rate order, and federal activity that could directly affect your business, including FinCEN developments. Expect clear insights, expert analysis, and real-time updates from the team on the front lines of TLTA’s advocacy efforts.

CLOSING GENERAL SESSION AND BREAKFAST
Installation of 2025-2026 TLTA Board of Directors

Behind the Lyrics: The Stories That Make Hits
Singer-Songwriter Showcase

Aaron Raitiere

Chris Tompkins

Kick off your final morning in Nashville with an unforgettable session featuring the songwriters behind some of country music’s biggest hits. These artists will take the stage to perform their songs and share the real stories behind them—the unexpected inspiration, the heartache, the humor, and the hustle it took to bring each one to life. You’ll hear how a single lyric or melody turned into a chart-topping success and what those moments meant to the people who wrote them. It’s not just a performance—it’s a peek into the creative process, the industry, and the humanity behind the hits. Grab a biscuit, pile on the grits, and settle in for this one-of-a-kind sendoff to close out your time at conference.