April 2020

  • Meeting You Where You Are – TLTA Annual Conference Goes Virtual
  • Essential Advice for Stressed-Out Essential Workers
  • Looking Forward to Looking Back – State of the Association
  • Work From Home Handbook
  • TDI Job Opening: Title Insurance Specialist
  • In Memoriam: Mark S. Pena
  • Tom Berry Joins National Investors as Executive Vice President
  • North American Title Insurance Appoints Kelly Love Underwriting Counsel for Southern States
  • Jay Hartzell Named Interim President of UT Austin
  • A Warm Welcome to Our Newest TLTA Members
  • Upcoming Webinars

Meeting You Where You Are – TLTA Annual Conference Goes Virtual

Nothing is more important than the health and safety of our members, sponsors and staff. Over the last few weeks, we've been closely monitoring the evolving situation with the COVID-19 outbreak to ensure we are taking every precaution to look after our community. 
 
After careful consideration, we've decided that the wisest decision is to not have a physical, in-person Annual Conference and Business Meeting this year. Instead, we are pleased to announce that we will be reinventing Conference as a virtual meeting that will deliver a full program of inspiring sessions, educational content and marketplace connections. 
 

 
Many of your favorite Conference elements will be included in the 2020 Virtual TLTA Annual Conference, and maybe a few surprises too! We're working fast and furiously to build the best possible virtual experience so we can continue our important annual TLTA tradition in the midst of these unique times. Of course, we'll miss seeing everyone in person this year, but we also look forward to sharing this new experience with you.
 
Planning has just begun, so thanks in advance for your patience as we work through all the details. Be on the lookout for more details coming to your inbox very soon. In the meantime, we've put together these Virtual Conference FAQs to answer some of your initial questions.
 

Essential Advice for Stressed-Out Essential Workers

American Heart Association | April 24, 2020
Without the luxury of sheltering at home, essential workers are experiencing unprecedented levels of stress and anxiety, according to mental health experts.

"We're in the battlefield," said Paul DiCarlo, co-owner of Jimmy's Food Store, a small Italian grocery in Dallas. "You're just trying to get the customers in and out quickly."

Nearly half of all American adults say the COVID-19 pandemic is hurting their mental health, according to a recent KFF Health Tracking poll. But those numbers could be much higher for bus drivers, bank tellers and other critical workers, said Alison Holman, a psychologist and nurse.
"This virus is a major chronic stressor for all levels of essential workers. It can make every day seem like a year, and weeks seem like a decade," said Holman, an associate professor at the University of California, Irvine. She researches trauma-related mental health problems.

"There's a lot of free-floating anxiety because of this ambiguous invisible threat. We're unsure what's coming next, and that's terrifying for people."
 
Read More »
 

Looking Forward to Looking Back – State of the Association

Leslie Midgley, Executive Vice President & CEO | April 24, 2020
My dad always told me, "if you don't like the way things are right now, just wait a while and they'll change." Simple advice, but that nugget of wisdom has gotten me through many a rough patch. Change is the one thing we can always count on, right? In our current environment, I find that very comforting indeed. So, Dad, I'm counting on your advice, and I'm looking forward to looking back on this period in our history.
 
Speaking of looking back, a month ago the team at TLTA was putting the finishing touches on our annual TLTA State of the Association, and proudly reflecting on all our industry and association accomplished together in 2019. That seems like ancient history now, doesn't it? And yet, I see some of the lessons learned last year playing out again right now as our title community works together to protect our families and teams while serving the public by keeping real estate transactions flowing.
 

In the midst of this challenging situation, we can all use a little break and a bright spot, right? With that said, I hope you'll take a couple of minutes out of your day to take a quick look at our 2020 State of the Association, highlighting the incredible accomplishments we made together last year.
 
Read More »  
 

Work From Home Handbook

New York State Land Title Association | April 2020
 
EDITOR'S NOTE: TLTA's sister association in New York created this great tool and has graciously allowed us to share it with you.
  
We have entered an unprecedented time. Most of us had to leave our offices with little preparation in March 2020. Some had stayed up to date with new technology and were prepared, others were not. By this time, most have found a way to get by. The New York State Land Title Association (NYSLTA) Technology Committee wants to help you navigate some of the software that is out there to help you continue your work from home and even improve your product. Below, we offer recommendations for tools that can further enhance your work-from-home experience and increase your efficiency:
  • Work From Home / Team Tools
  • Remote Video / Meeting Tools
  • E-Recording Programs
  • Workflow Management / Scanning Options
  • How to Scan a Document With Your Mobile Phone
Read More »

TDI Job Opening: Title Insurance Specialist

Texas Department of Insurance | April 21, 2020
The Texas Department of Insurance has a job opening that might interest you or someone in your professional network. The agency is hiring a "Title Industry Specialist" with meaningful title insurance experience.
 
Read TDI's Posting and Apply » 
 
If you have questions, please contact TDI's David Muckerheide.
 

In Memoriam: Mark S. Pena

Oct. 23, 1962 - March 29, 2020
Mark S. Pena passed away peacefully at his home in Edinburg on Sunday, March 29. He will be missed by his loving wife, Michelle and their children Gabriel, Luke, Isabelle, Juliette, Anna and Esteban. He is also survived by his parents L. Aron Pena, Sr. and Sylvia Pena; and brothers Aaron Pena, Jr.; Eric Pena; sister Evie Pena -Shives; Jeff Pena; and Dominic Pena; his large extended family and countless friends. Although the last few months of his life were colored by his battle with ALS/Lou Gehrig’s, what he will most be remembered for is his intense love of life, nature, and gift for bringing people together.
 

 
Mark served as counsel for Edwards Abstract and Title Co. for the offices in Hidalgo and Cameron counties. Edwards was his second home, and the team there a second family. Mark was a frequent speaker on real estate and title insurance matters, as well as sustainable urban planning, development and transportation issues.
 
Read Mark's Obituary »
 

Tom Berry Joins National Investors as Executive Vice President

Tom Berry has joined National Investors Title Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Investors Title Company, as executive vice president – market development. In this role, Mr. Berry will focus on business development activities in Texas and on strategic growth opportunities in other key markets. 
 
Read the Press Release »
 

North American Title Insurance Appoints Kelly Love Underwriting Counsel for Southern States

North American Title Insurance Co. (NATIC) has hired Kelly Love as vice president, regional underwriting counsel for Texas, Louisiana and Alabama. Love will provide underwriting support to NATIC agents in those states.
 
Read the Press Release »
 

TLTA Expert Witness Jay Hartzell Named Interim President of UT Austin

EDITOR'S NOTE: Celebrated economist Jay Hartzell has played a key role in our rate making for years, testifying before TDI on behalf of TLTA's rate proposals during the last two rate hearings. Congratulations, President Hartzell! Our industry salutes your continued success!
University of Texas System Board of Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife announced that the Board and Chancellor James B. Milliken have selected Dean Jay Hartzell of the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin to serve as the university’s interim president.

“We have observed Jay Hartzell’s outstanding leadership for years, and every member of our Board and the Chancellor have full confidence in Jay’s abilities to navigate UT Austin through this unprecedented time in the university’s and nation’s history,” Eltife said. 
 
Read More »
 

A Warm Welcome to Our Newest TLTA Members

 Agent Members
 
Zillow Closing Services TX, LLC
Contact: Clayton Greenberg
9001 Cypress Waters, Suite 3A
Irving, TX 75063
469.983.2944
[email protected]
 
Precision Title, LLC
Contact: Suzette Crow
421 Century Way, Suite 400
Red Oak, TX 75154
972.937.8420
[email protected]
 
Hudson Title Group, LLC
Contact: Adam Setlif 
5700 Tennyson Pkwy., Suite 300
Plano, TX 75024
214.789.2993
[email protected]
 
Titleco 2019, LLC
DBA All-American Title
Contact: Lorie Lewis
6474 Phelan Blvd.
Beaumont, TX 77706        
409.240.2525
[email protected]
 
National Title Group, LLC
Contact: Lori Lindsey
4131 N. Central Expwy., Suite 440
Dallas, TX 75204
214.520.0982
[email protected]
www.nationaltitlegroup.com
 
Impact Title
Contact: Joshua Weldy
6305 82nd St.
Lubbock, TX 79424
806.482.1278
[email protected]
 
MPR Title, LLC
Contact: Njeri London
8111 LBJ Fwy., Suite 1502
Dallas, TX 75251
214.396.2300
[email protected]
www.mprtitle.com
 
River City National Title, LLC
Contact: Ozzie Ortiz
14039 Nacogdoches Rd.
San Antonio, TX 78247
210.606.9100
[email protected]
www.rivercitytitletx.com
 
BSS Texas, LLC
Contact: Shellie Haas
11801 Domain Blvd., Suite 03A134
Austin, TX 78758
512.648.2720
[email protected]

Associate Members

Tax Solutions – Trusted Globally
Contact: Marc Enzi 
1855 Barker Cypress Rd., Suite 120
Houston, TX 77084
281.578.1040
[email protected] 
www.taxss.com
First American P&C Agency, Inc.
Contact: Gene Bohen
4 First American Way
Santa Ana, CA 92707
800.253.2214
[email protected]
www.fapcia.com    

In addition to the live webinars listed below, you have access to 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!