June 2019
- Annual Conference and Business Meeting Earns 97% Satisfaction Rate
- 2019-2020 Board of Directors Installed
- Compliance Webinar: New Rate and Rate Rule Changes to the Basic Manual
- ICYMI: Draft of Reorganized Basic Manual Shared by TDI for Public Comment, Review
- VIDEO: How to Protect Yourself and Your Closing Funds From Mortgage Closing Scams
- In Memoriam: Cheryl "Deliece" Harrison 1947-2019
- Rattikin Title Celebrates 75th Anniversary
- Congratulations to TLTA's Newest Certified Professionals
- A Warm Welcome to Our Newest TLTA Members
Annual Conference and Business Meeting Earns 97% Satisfaction Rate; Attendees Cite Crucial Legislative and Regulatory Updates, Engaging Continuing Education and Top Networking Opportunities Among Key Highlights
Nearly 500 title professionals gathered in Lost Pines for TLTA's Annual Conference and Business Meeting June 10-12. While several attendees stopped TLTA staff during the event to share high praise for this year's conference, the final results of the official conference evaluation are finally in, and we are proud to report a 97 percent satisfaction rate.
Calleen Smith, Lisa Garrett, Tirey Smith, and Mary Belan Doggett at the opening night reception; John Martin presents Denise Holmes' Title Person of the Year award
The legislative and regulatory update was among the conference's most popular presentations, as attendees sought increased understanding of our industry's close work with legislators and the Texas Department of Insurance this year. During their presentation, Leslie Midgley and Aaron Day provided play-by-play of this year's legislative and regulatory successes, including the Texas Legislature's passage of 100 percent of TLTA's legislative priorities. Also discussed during the standing-room-only session were the resolution of the ongoing re-regulation issue—which improved the rate hearing statute as a result—and the adoption of our industry's proposed rate and rule revisions following TDI's statutorily required review of our basic premium rate.
And, at the TLTAPAC breakfast featuring political analysis by Evan Smith of the Texas Tribune, state Rep. Eddie Lucio, chairman of the House Insurance Committee, joined us to accept our industry's Outstanding Legislator award.
Texas House Insurance Committee Chairman Eddie Lucio accepts Outstanding Legislator Award; Leslie Midgley and Aaron Day deliver legislative and regulatory update to joint agent-underwriter section meeting
Other highlights of this year's conference included deep dive sessions that gave attendees the opportunity to hear from industry leaders and national experts on subjects important to our industry, including women in leadership, digital tools for communicating with consumers, and cyber security.
Erika Meinhardt describes the long road from the closing room to the board room; Corey Perlman shares the latest social media tactics and insights on national social media trends
In addition to completing important industry business—such as the installation of TLTA's new board of directors (see story below)—this year's annual conference and business meeting included time to celebrate, respect and honor our industry's most committed volunteers and stalwart advocates. This year's award recipients included Denise Holmes (Title Person of the Year), Peter Graf (James H. Garst President's Award), and Janet Minke (Honorary Member).
Janet Minke receives Honorary Member recognition; John Martin presents the James H. Garst President's Award to Peter Graf
Finally, in a bittersweet moment that's repeated year after year, we said goodbye and thank you to outgoing TLTA President John Martin, who passed the gavel to our association's president for 2019-2020, Mike Savas.
Mike Savas and John Martin pass the presidential gavel; Savas talks about the future of TLTA
Be sure to mark your calendar and
book your hotel room for TLTA's 2020 conference, which will be held at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio June 17-19, 2020.
See More Photos of the 2019 TLTA Annual Conference and Business Meeting »
Read the Press Release Re: TLTA's New President Mike Savas »
Read the Press Release Re: Title Person of the Year Denise Holmes »
Read the Press Release Re: Peter Graf Recipient of James H. Garst's President's Award »
Read the Press Release Re: Honorary Member Janet Minke »
Read the Press Release Re: Outstanding Legislator Award Sen. Brandon Creighton »
Read the Press Release Re: Outstanding Legislator Award Rep. Eddie Lucio III »
2019-2020 Board of Directors Installed
During the 2019 Annual Conference and Business Meetings, TLTA installed our 2019-2020 Board of Directors:
TLTA's 2019-2020 Board of Directors
President
Michael C. Savas, CTIP, First American Title Guaranty Company, Houston
President-Elect
John P. Bruce, CTIP, NTP, Heritage Title Company of Austin, Inc., Austin
Immediate Past President
John C. Martin, CAEP, CTIP, Lone Star Title Company of El Paso, El Paso
Agent Section Chair
Daniel Foster, Providence Title Company, Arlington
Agent Section Vice Chair
Paul R. Rodriguez, Valley Land Title Co., McAllen
Agent Section Delegate
Mike Withrow, Basin Abstract & Title, Odessa
Agent At-Large Director
Claire Hartman, First Community Title LLC, Temple
Agent At-Large Director
Michael A. Knudsen, Veritas Title, Houston
Underwriter Section Chair
John Updegraff, Jr., Old Republic National Title Insurance Company, Frisco
Underwriter Section Vice Chair
Heidi E. Junge, Stewart Title Guaranty Company, San Antonio
Underwriter Section Delegate
Todd Rasco, Fidelity National Title Group, Houston
Underwriter At-Large Director
Paul McNutt, Jr., Title Resources Guaranty Company, Dallas
Underwriter At-Large Director
Rodney Anderson, Alliant National Title Insurance Company, Grand Prairie
Sign Up Today for This Compliance Webinar: New Rate and Rate Rule Changes to the Basic Manual
The Texas Department of Insurance recently adopted an order that revises the basic premium rate and amends our industry's rate rules. The changes enacted by this order will be effective Sept. 1, 2019. A compliance webinar detailing the changes enacted by TDI's order and how to implement them will be presented July 25.
Webinar: New Rate and Rate Rule Changes to the Basic Manual
Thursday, July 25
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Presenter: John P. Bruce, CTIP, NTP
CE Credit: 1 hr Escrow
Register Now »
The TDI order addressed in this TLTA webinar is the culmination of a year-long review of our basic premium rates and rate rules. TLTA volunteers and staff, working in concert with our industry's legal team and actuaries, were deeply involved in the public discussions and negotiations that led to the changes detailed in the compliance webinar linked above.
Read TDI's Order »
ICYMI: Draft of Reorganized Basic Manual Shared by TDI for Public Comment, Review
Phase 1 of the Basic Manual Reorganization Project being conducted by the Basic Manual Task Force is now available for public review as a DRAFT DOCUMENT. TDI published this concept draft document to gather feedback from the industry, consumers and stakeholders.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The current Basic Manual is still in effect and should continue to be used. This reformatted version is simply a draft for review and comment. This draft should not be used to confirm compliance with state law or agency rules and does not have the force of law; continue using the TDI-adopted Basic Manual. If you must cite the manual in any legal document, you must make citations to the current, official Basic Manual and not to this draft.
Draft of Reorganized Basic Manual »
The members of TLTA's Basic Manual Task Force, chaired by Denise Holmes, started their work five years ago. Their first project was to reorganize the Manual in a more user-friendly format; the draft linked above is the product produced during Phase 1.
Phase 2, which is currently underway, is a plain language non-substantive rewrite of the Manual. The committee recently completed a milestone in that phase of the project and is continuing to work their way through the rest of the publication. Phase 3 will eventually be a more substantive rewrite of the Manual to provide clarity and usability.
Since the task force first met five years ago, they've been holding monthly all-day meetings, and the hours this dedicated group of professionals has devoted to revising the Basic Manual are incalculable.
Meet the Members of the Basic Manual Task Force »
Editor's Note: Denise Holmes, chair of the Basic Manual Task Force that produced this draft of the reorganized Basic Manual, was honored as Title Person of the Year at this year's annual conference and business meeting.
Read More »
VIDEO: How to Protect Yourself and Your Closing Funds From Mortgage Closing Scams
CFPB has created an informational video to warn consumers about the threat of cyber and wire fraud in real estate transactions.
You might consider sharing this with your customers:
Watch the Video »
Read More From CFPB About Avoiding Mortgage Phishing Scams »
In Memoriam: Cheryl "Deliece" Harrison 1947-2019
With prayers of solace for the loved ones left behind, we share with you the news that Deliece Harrison, former owner of Hale County Abstract in Plainview, passed away on May 23.
Read Deliece's Obituary »
Rattikin Title Celebrates 75th Anniversary
Congratulations to Rattikin Title for the firm's longevity and continued success as they celebrate their 75th anniversary. The Rattikin family firm has been investing in our industry's success for generations, and three Rattikin men have served as president of TLTA: Jack Rattikin Sr. (1933-35), Jack Rattikin Jr. (1974-75) and Jack Rattikin, III (2002-03). Jack Rattikin Sr. and Jack Rattikin Jr. also served as President of ALTA, and Jack Rattikin, III currently serves on ALTA’s Board of Governors.
Read More About Rattikin Title's Anniversary in the Fort Worth Business Press »
Congratulations to TLTA's Newest Certified Professionals
Now in our 10th year of expanding professionalism industry-wide, the TLTA Certification Program is proud to recognize our industry's newly certified professionals:
Alisa Bailey, CTIP
CentraLand Title Company
Vanessa Cody, CAEP
Inspired Title Services, LLC
Wendy Howell, CESP
Stewart Title Guaranty Company
Steve Black, CTIP
Westcor Land Title Insurance Company
Whitney Kincaid, CTIP
Heritage Title Company of Austin, Inc.
Colby Bodoin, CAEP
Capstone Title
Audra Joyce Murphy, CTIP
Benchmark Title, LLC
Cindy Carroll, CESP
Corridor Title, LLC
Justin Pierce, CESP
Capital Title of Texas, LLC
Shana Carson Dickens, CESP
Town Square Title Company, LLC
Paul D. Pruitt, CTIP
Title Resources Guaranty Company
Tiffany Hanzik, CESP
Capital Title of Texas, LLC
Danielle Smith, CESP
First Community Title LLC
Chelsea Nicole Holder, CESP
Town Square Title Company, LLC
Belinda Teague, CAEP
Benchmark Title, LLC
Rachel Thackerson, CESP
Cowboy Country Title, LLC
Brad Honn, CESP, CTIP*
Capital Title of Texas, LLC
*Earned both CESP and CTIP In 2019
Meet All Our TLTA Certified Professionals »
A Warm Welcome to Our Newest TLTA Members
Agent Member
CalAtlantic Title, Inc.
Contact: Kristy Santelia
681 Greens Pkwy., Ste.100
Houston, TX 77067
281.874.8508
[email protected]
www.calatl.com
Associate Member
McKoy Land Surveys, Inc.
Contact: Doug McKoy
9321 Athens Dr.
Argyle, TX 76226
940.368.4540
[email protected]
www.mckoylandsurveys.com
Explore our library of
more than 80 On-Demand webinars and videos covering the title industry topics you need to earn continuing education credits and stay ahead of the curve on the latest industry trends.