July 2020
- Our First-Ever Virtual Conference Was a Success, Thank You!
- 2020-2021 Board of Directors Installed
- Outgoing TLTA President Mike Savas Dedicates President’s Award to All Essential, Front-Line Title Professionals Working During COVID-19
- Andi Bolin Selected to Head Knight Barry Title's First Texas Office
- A Warm Welcome to Our Newest TLTA Members
- On-Demand Webinars
Our First-Ever Virtual Conference Was a Success, Thank You!
When we first laid out a plan to convert our traditional conference to an all-virtual experience in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we knew that this year more than ever we needed to bring together as many title professionals as possible to share best practices, exchange lessons learned, and connect in new ways. We're pleased to report that more than 500 of us gathered for our 2020 Virtual Annual Conference and Business Meeting last week.
Q&A With Outgoing TLTA President Mike Savas and ALTA's President Mary O'Donnell on the State of Our Industry
We hit all our targets this year, pairing positive messages from keynoters who specialize in navigating tough times with important industry updates and timely education. We also created valuable opportunities to connect with industry peers face-to-face, a rare opportunity under COVID-19 public health protocols.
Incoming TLTA President for 2020-2021 John Bruce Takes the Gavel
None of the successes at this year's conference would have been possible without the support of this year's conference sponsors. Additionally (and importantly), we would not have been as successful as we were without the patience and commitment of all our attendees. Thank you all!
While we were able to maintain the conference traditions that recognize our industry's leaders and volunteers—including the passing of the gavel from TLTA's 105th President Mike Savas to our 106th President John Bruce—we certainly felt nostalgic this year and longed for the simpler times of conferences past when we gathered together in one place to learn, make new connections and celebrate our industry's continued prosperity. That's why we compiled a montage of photos from conferences past that played after the President's Party. If you missed it, take a look – there are lots of friends and colleagues to be found smiling from years gone by (click on the image below to watch):
Other traditions maintained and observed this year included recognizing the following newly-certified title professionals, who have distinguished themselves in a competitive market among the industry's most knowledgeable professionals:
- James D. Bennett, CAEP, Central Title Company, Tyler
- Laura Graham, CAEP, Inspired Title Services, Austin
- Denise Hart, CESP, Central Title Company, Gilmer
- Mark Anthony Lewis, CESP, Edwards Abstract and Title Company, McAllen
- Tammy Sue Maxwell, CESP, OSN Texas, Plano
- Melissa Mutchler, CESP, Providence Title Company, Arlington
- Maria Trull, CAEP, Longview
We also recognized industry stalwarts like new Honorary Member Bruce D. Liesman, outstanding legislators like Sen. Joan Huffman and Rep. Geanie Morrison, and more. There's news on those awards and more below and elsewhere in this issue of Downdate:
Read the Press Release: TLTA's New President John Bruce »
Read the Press Release: Essential, Front-Line Title Professionals Honored With James H. Garst President's Award »
Read the Press Release: Honorary Member Bruce D. Liesman »
Read the Press Release: Outstanding Legislator Award Sen. Joan Huffman »
Read the Press Release: Outstanding Legislator Award Rep. Geanie Morrison »
Be sure to mark your calendar for TLTA's 2021 conference, which will be held at the Kalahari Resort in Round Rock June 21-24, 2021
2020-2021 Board of Directors Installed
TLTA | July 17, 2020
During the 2020 Virtual Annual Conference and Business Meeting, TLTA installed our 2020-2021 Board of Directors:
TLTA Board of Directors 2020-2021
President
John P. Bruce, CTIP, Heritage Title Company of Austin, Inc., Austin
President-Elect
John Updegraff, Jr., Old Republic National Title Insurance Company, Frisco
Immediate Past President
Michael C. Savas, CTIP, First American Title Guaranty Company, Houston
Agent Section Chair
Paul R. Rodriguez, Valley Land Title Co., McAllen
Agent Section Vice Chair
Mike Withrow, Basin Abstract & Title, Odessa
Agent Section Delegate
Claire Hartman, First Community Title LLC, Temple
Agent At-Large Director
Michael A. Knudsen, Veritas Title, Houston
Agent At-Large Director
Erica Hallmark, East Texas Title Companies, Tyler
Underwriter Section Chair
Heidi E. Junge, Stewart Title Guaranty Company, San Antonio
Underwriter Section Vice Chair
Rodney Anderson, Alliant National Title Insurance Company, Grand Prairie
Underwriter Section Delegate
Peter Graf, Republic Title of Texas, Inc., Dallas
Underwriter At-Large Director
Gil Ernst, Fidelity National Title Group, Dallas
Underwriter At-Large Director
Denise Smith Holmes, CTIP, Independence Title, Cypress
Outgoing TLTA President Mike Savas Dedicates President’s Award to All Essential, Front-Line Title Professionals Working During COVID-19
TLTA | July 21, 2020
The essential title insurance professionals who are keeping real estate transactions flowing under challenging and unprecedented conditions were honored last week by outgoing TLTA President Mike Savas, who awarded them the James H. Garst President’s Award during TLTA's 2020 Virtual Annual Conference and Business Meeting.
This award is typically presented to one person who has provided extraordinary service during a TLTA President’s year in office. During the presentation of the award at last week’s conference, Savas said that it was impossible to name just one person who had earned the honor and instead dedicated the award to ALL the title professionals who are coming to work every day and creatively figuring out how to do their jobs under the toughest of circumstances. He cited their ingenuity and creativity in the use of drive-by, curbside and tailgate closings, utilizing Remote Ink Notarizations (RIN), and other innovative ways to get the job done safely.
While addressing the virtual gathering of more than 500 industry members from across the state, he saluted all those “who have continued serving customers using brave, inventive, flexible approaches to close deals and keep real estate transactions flowing. Every time our front-line folks help Texans buy and sell real estate, refinance existing mortgages, or unlock essential capital through home equity loans, they’re keeping the economy alive,” Savas noted during his remarks. “Their selfless sacrifices and dedication to getting the deal done represent the strength of our industry’s commitment to our communities.”
TLTA joins Mike in extending a huge congratulations to all our title heroes who are on the front lines, day in and day out, through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond to keep our economy healthy – we have the utmost respect and appreciation for the job you are doing. We applaud, salute and thank you!
Help Us Spread the Word: If you’d like to share this news with your community to further celebrate our essential title professionals,
here’s a press release that you can distribute locally.
Andi Bolin Selected to Head Knight Barry Title's First Texas Office
Knight Barry Title Group announced at the end of June that they're opening their first office in Texas, and Texas title professional Andi Bolin will lead it.
Read the Press Release »
A Warm Welcome to Our Newest TLTA Members
Agent Members
Patriot America Title Services, LLC
Contact: Cathy Schmidt
5757 Alpha Rd, Ste. 205
Dallas, TX 75240
855.500.7287
[email protected]
www.patriotamtitle.com
Texas Excel Title, LLC
Contact: Amy Torres Lepp
560 N. Kimball Ave., Ste. 100
Southlake, TX 76092
817.410.6400
[email protected]
Associate Members
Teresa A. Myers, PLLC
Contact: Teresa Myers
2611 N. Belt Line Rd., Ste. 162
Sunnyvale, TX 75182
214.812.8151
[email protected]
www.teresamyerslaw.com
MarJuana Bush Williams PLLC
Contact: MarJuana B. Williams
324 North 14th St.
Nederland, TX 77627
409.797.7734
[email protected]
www.mbwpllc.com
The Law Office of Lantis G. Roberts, PLLC
Contact: Lantis G. Roberts
1166 West Pioneer Parkway
Arlington, TX 76013
817.768.1819
[email protected]
www.kreativelaw.com
Domain Realty
Contact: Myung Lemond
13552 US Hwy. N., Ste. A
Austin, TX 78750
512.740.0807
[email protected]
www.domainrealtyaustin.com
Guest and Gray
Contact: Robert Guest
112 S. Bois D Arc St.
Forney, TX 75126
972.564.4644
[email protected]
www.robertguest.com
Moore & Van Allen
Contact: Tamara Acevedo
100 N. Tryon St., Ste. 4700
Charlotte, NC 28202
704.331.1000
[email protected]
www.mvalaw.com
United Tax Service, Inc.
Contact: Matt Berzins
2400 Dallas Parkway, Ste. 510
Plano, TX 75093
972.588.1255
[email protected]
www.unitedtaxco.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!