February 2021
- Owners' Box Perspectives: Leading by Example
- Don't Click: Title Agency Training Key to Preventing Phishing Scams, Other Cyber Attacks
- Winter Storm 2021: Thank You Title Community - Tell Us Your Stories
- TLTA Presents Award for Outstanding Stewardship of a Historic Courthouse
- A Warm Welcome to Our Newest TLTA Members
- Upcoming Webinars
Owners' Box Perspectives: Leading by Example
TLTA | Feb. 21, 2021
Owners' Box Perspectives: Leading by Example featuring Johnny Collins
In the first installment of our new series, Owners’ Box Perspectives, Johnny Collins, co-owner of Community National Title, talks about putting people first, the power of legacy, Black History Month, and more.
The following interview has been edited for brevity and clarity. In addition to
reading the interview transcript, you have the opportunity to hear Johnny in his own voice via this one-minute introductory video:
Johnny Collins – Real Estate Is In My Blood.
Q: As a title agency owner, as an employer, what are you most proud of?
A: You know what I'm most proud of? When I should have quit the title business, I didn’t. Our entryway into the title business was not filled with birthday cakes and roses. It was a situation where we came in, did really well up front, and then went through a dark time. Working through all of that is what I’m proudest of in terms of my journey in this business, because there were a lot of other families who were attached to my decisions, my partner Philip’s decisions, our decisions. And to have the ability to not let those families down means the world to me. Because you never want to venture into something and sell a dream, then in the middle of the dream have to close down shop. That's just not a good feeling, but that's something I thought would happen a few times. And of course it never did. Here we are, and I'm pretty excited.
Q: Some people say our industry can get in your blood. How does that tie into who you are as a title person and an individual living in the world?
A: I’m married with two children. Sure, I’m an individual, but I come with a crew. For me, it's family first, and I’m serious about that. When I talk about our team, they’re a part of our extended family – I spend more time with them than I do with my own family.
I’m a real estate child. My mother was a real estate broker—legendary in her own right—she did a lot of great things in Texas when it wasn’t popular for folks who look like me to do things in Texas and real estate. That’s what’s really in my blood, and title has been a derivative of that, and one I’m really appreciative of. I never thought I would be in the title business. I think it's probably the most boring business on the planet, but it's proven to be exciting and definitely rewarding. Not just for my family, but everyone under our umbrella – everyone in our organization and their families.
Q: It’s Black History Month. What does that mean to you as an owner of a title agency?
A: It means a lot. When I got in the business, I was the only black agency owner for a long time. Now there's about four. I was speaking to a guy last night who is also black. He's getting ready to be an agent hopefully in Texas, and I was telling him, look man, if there’s anything that I can do to help you, let me know. I told him, I'm a little selfish in the fact that I would love for you to come be on our team, but I want you to win either way. So if there's ever a time or an opportunity for me to help, call. Don't try to make this walk by yourself, because the title business—no matter what color you are—can be lonely if you don't have internal relationships to help you along the way.
Read the Entire Interview »
Want to Hear Johnny In His Own Voice? Check Out This One-Minute Introductory Video »
Don't Click: Title Agency Training Key to Preventing Phishing Scams, Other Cyber Attacks
David Tandy, TLTA Cyber Security Advisory Group | Feb. 23, 2021
The FBI reports a fourfold increase in cyber security complaints since the beginning of the pandemic, and cybercrime losses exceeded $1 trillion in 2020. Phishing emails, which trick recipients into clicking malicious links, remain one of the most popular forms of attack.
The title industry has increasingly become a target of cyber threats and those attacks, especially phishing emails, have become more sophisticated. Employees working remotely have further increased companies’ vulnerability by working from computers that are not as well-protected as computers at company offices.
It's difficult for today's title agency owners and management to know where to start or how much to invest in increased cyber security. But you should be aware that a company’s biggest vulnerabilities require more will power than financial investment. According to the SANS Institute, spear phishing attacks account for 95% of the breaches in enterprise networks. Therefore, if you want to greatly decrease your company's vulnerability to cyber attacks, training employees to recognize and report malicious links is among your most effective means to avoid falling victim to email phishing attacks.
Read More »
Winter Storm 2021: Thank You Title Community – Tell Us Your Stories
The impacts of last week’s brutal winter storm were felt statewide, and we’re so grateful to know that title industry professionals were among the community partners who stepped up to help our friends, family, neighbors and customers navigate the hazards and deprivations created by this unprecedented series of winter weather-related crises.
After close to a year of being apart, we need each other now more than ever. On behalf of the TLTA Board of Directors and staff, we hope that you and your loved ones are safe. While the worst is hopefully behind us, there are challenges ahead and we have faith that we’ll get through them together.
If you have a minute, please send us a note with stories of title professionals being good community partners throughout this event. We want to hear from you, and we want to celebrate our title community’s good work!
TLTA Presents Award for Outstanding Stewardship of a Historic Courthouse
TLTA | Feb. 21, 2021
During the Texas Historical Commission’s Virtual Real Places Conference earlier this month, TLTA's Leslie Midgely presented an Award for Outstanding Stewardship of a Historic Courthouse to Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño, Jr. The Texas Courthouse Stewardship Award Program recognizes counties that have established outstanding stewardship practices to maintain their courthouse in restored condition, and to provide a financial reward for their effort.
Cameron County Courthouse hall and rotunda
Known locally as “the Dancy Building” after former County Judge Oscar Dancy, the 1912 Classical Revival Cameron County Courthouse was rededicated on October 17, 2006 after the county undertook its own exterior restoration in the 1990’s and a full interior restoration funded through a 2002 construction grant from the THC’s
Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program.
The Texas Historic Courthouse Stewardship Program was formed by the Texas Historical Commission in 2006 with support from the Texas Land Title Association. The popular program provides
annual training to help county facility managers preserve historic courthouses restored through the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program.
On Oct. 10, 2016, TLTA received the 2015 Texas Historical Commission Governor's Award for Historic Preservation for
our industry's continued support for the Texas Courthouse Stewardship Program.
A Warm Welcome to Our Newest TLTA Members
Agent Members
TX Success Title
Contact: Troy Moncrief
3705 W. Vickery
Fort Worth, TX 76107
817.697.8335
[email protected]
www.txsuccess.com
Grand Title of Texas, LLC
Contact: Trenton Grand
4265 San Felipe St., Ste. 1100
Houston, TX 77027
832.308.8742
[email protected]
Associate Members
Powell Law Group, LLP
Contact: Heather Sheffield
108 Wild Basin, Ste. 100
Austin, TX 78746
512.494.1177
[email protected]
www.plg-law.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!