June 2008


COMING SOON-- A SPECIAL EDITION TLTA CONFERENCE NEWSLETTER 

Watch for it in your inbox! 


VIEW TLTA MILESTONES ONLINE

As a part of our Centennial celebration, TLTA has published a commemorative magazine, TLTA Milestones, honoring the rich history of TLTA, the title industry and its leaders. 

TLTA Milestone Addition: In the listing of "TLTA Member Companies Serving Texas for Over 100 Years," we missed a few companies including WW Howeth Title Company of Gainesville, founded in 1869 and in business for 139 years; and Chapin Title Company of Sherman, founded in 1872 and in business for 136 years.  

WW Howeth Title Company -- 139 Years 
 WW Howeth Title Company, established in 1869, has been operated by four generations of Howeth's since William Howeth brought his family from Tennessee in 1853.  William started the business with his son WW Howeth, first operating as Howeth and Son Land Agents, surveying and locating lands and certificates for people moving into the country.  After the death of WW Howeth, the company passed to the present owner, JD and his son Don.  

Chapin Title Company -- 136 Years 
 Chapin Title Company, founded by MJ Chapin, was established in 1872.  It is the oldest continuously operated title company in Grayson County.  What began as an operation in a small room in the Grayson County Courthouse has grown to six locations in the Grayson County area.  In 1998, Chapin Title was purchased by Phil and Ruth Adams.  

Email your name and address to TLTA to have an extra copy of TLTA Milestones mailed to you. 


VIEW THE CENTENNIAL DVD

At the Annual Conference, TLTA unveiled a commemorative Centennial DVD featuring historical and sentimental anecdotes about the association and the Texas title industry. Click here to email your name and address to TLTA to have an extra copy mailed to you. 

SPOTLIGHT ON THE NEW TLTA PRESIDENT

During the 2008 Annual Conference, Celia C. Flowers, President of East Texas Title Companies in Tyler, was installed as association president.  Flowers owns 12 title companies licensed in 12 counties and is an oil and gas, real estate and civil trial attorney.  

CHANGING OF THE GUARD:  NEW TLTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTED

During the 2008 Annual Conference, TLTA installed the 2008-09 Board of Directors.  The 2008-09 TLTA Board of Directors includes:  president, Celia C. Flowers, East Texas Title Companies, Tyler; president-elect, Mark C. Greek, First American Title Insurance Company, Houston; immediate past president, Sheri B. Asbell, Westcor Land Title Insurance Company, San Antonio; underwriter at-large director, Bill James, Lawyers Title Insurance Corporation, Dallas; agent at-large director, John King, Sierra Title of Hidalgo County, McAllen; underwriter at-large director, J. Christopher Phillips, Title Resources Guaranty Company, Dallas; agent at-large director, Celia R. Goode-Haddock, University Title Company, College Station; underwriter section chair, Phyllis J. Mulder, Alliant National Title Insurance Company, San Antonio; underwriter section vice-chair, John F. Rothermel, III, Stewart Title Guaranty Company, San Antonio; underwriter section delegate, Joe Grealish, Alamo Title Company, Houston; agent section chair, Jack Rogers, AmeriPoint Title San Antonio, San Antonio; agent section vice-chair, Brian Pitman, Independence Title Company, Austin; and agent section delegate, Randy D. Pittman, West Texas Abstract & Title Company, Midland.      
The new committee chairs for 2008-09 were also appointed at the first Board meeting held during the Annual Conference.  

TLTA WELCOMES NEW GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS DIRECTOR 


TLTA is delighted to announce that Aaron Day will be joining the association staff as Director of Government Affairs, effective July 1. Aaron comes to TLTA from the City of Fort Worth where he served as Legislative Liaison representing the City on both state and federal issues. 

Aaron has worked extensively on a variety of issues including, land use regulation, cable and right of way issues, low income housing, economic development tools, historic preservation initiatives, transportation, homeland security funding and advocacy during the Hurricane Katrina disaster and response. Aaron is a graduate of the University of Texas and holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Texas School of Law in Austin. 

INDIVIDUAL MEMBER "DREAM VACATION" WINNER ANNOUNCED

Congratulations to Samuel Armstrong with LandAmerica Commonwealth of Houston, the winner of the 2008 Individual Member Dream Vacation get-a-way to Las Vegas, sponsored by Barrett Daffin Frappier Turner & Engel, LLP.  By joining TLTA as an individual member, you will not only get the latest updates on all industry information, but you will also help increase the membership numbers of TLTA, which in turn, strengthens our position as we represent you before the Texas Department of Insurance and the Legislature on issues of critical importance. Take pride in your industry by being part of this elite group of title professionals that are helping shape the future of the title business through their involvement.  

JULY BASIC MANUAL UPDATES ON P-24 COMING SOON - 
BECOME A SUBSCRIBER AND SAVE $$$

The July 1, 2008 effective updates to the Basic Manual (changes relating to P-24) resulting from the 2006 Biennial Hearing will be available soon. If you are a subscriber to the Basic Manual update service or if you purchased the May 1, 2008 updates, you will automatically receive your July 1, 2008 updates prior to the effective date.

If you did not order the May 1, 2008 updates, the easiest and most cost-effective way to update your Basic Manaul is to sign up for our annual subscription service. Not only will you save money but you will automatically receive all updates throughout the rest of the year. Additionally, the Basic Manual is updated on the TLTA Web site.

Basic Manual Update


WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS

We would like to welcome our newest members to TLTA. 


BASIC MANUAL CORRECTION: P-1.F

It has come to our attention that the recent TLTA Basic Manual update includes a version of P-1.f in Section IV that is in conflict with what the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) has published. This conflict occurred because different P-1.f language was adopted in two separate agenda items. We have clarified with TDI which version they intend to follow. 


If you have purchased a Basic Manual subscription service or if you purchased the May 1, 2008 updates, a new page including the revised language for P-1.f will be included in your July 1, 2008 updates, which will be shipped prior to July 1, 2008. TLTA endeavors to have the most up-to-date Basic Manual information available on the Web site and via printed updates.We apologize for any disruption or inconvenience this may have caused. 

"TEXAS SUPREME COURT BARS WAGE LAWSUIT AFTER PAYDAY LAW CLAIM IS DECIDED BY TEXAS WORKFORCE COMMISSION"

Contributed by John H. Kizziar, Jr., Bracewell & Giuliani LLP
The Texas Supreme Court recently ruled that when an employee's claim under the Texas Payday Act (Act) for unpaid wages is denied by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), the employee cannot get "another bite at the apple" by filing a breach of contract lawsuit in state court based on the same claim. 

Gracy Title Company Inc. and Stewart Title of Austin Inc. have merged to form one company under one name, Gracy Title-- A Stewart Company. 

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