August 2021
- Annual Conference and Business Meeting Brings Industry Together Again
- 2021-2022 Board of Directors Installed
- New Laws That Could Impact Your Operations Effective Sept. 1 – On-Demand Webinar and Legislative Report Available
- Jack Rattikin III Nominated as ALTA's 2021 – 2022 President-Elect; Other TLTA Members Nominated for the Board
- Stewart Title Hires New Underwriting Counsel for Southwest Region
- Amanda Molinare-Lopez Joins Community National Title as Executive Vice President of Sales and Strategic Growth
- Covius Names Peter Palermo Vice President of Business Development for reQuire Real Estate Solutions Group
- Deadline Friday: 2021 Leadership Academy Applications
- A Warm Welcome to Our Newest TLTA Members
- On-Demand Webinars
Annual Conference and Business Meeting Brings Industry Together Again
Texas Land Title Association | Aug. 29, 2021
For the nearly 600 Texas title professionals who attended TLTA's Annual Conference and Business Meeting in Round Rock Aug. 9 - 11, the opportunity to be together again shaped an invigorating, one-of-a-kind event that may be remembered as our best conference yet.
From Gov. Abbott's welcoming remarks celebrating our industry's key role keeping Texas real estate transactions flowing throughout the pandemic, to the sage counsel of New York Times best-selling author Ben Nemtin at the closing breakfast, this year's conference was rich with opportunities to create new connections, gather fresh perspectives, and celebrate the continued strength of the more than 100-year-old association that holds our industry together through adversity, success and beyond.
Laughter and music during the opening session balloon drop; Gov. Abbott offers welcoming remarks, thanking industry for keeping real estate transactions flowing throughout the pandemic.
The programming for this year's conference was filled with timely insights and CE hours on issues important to our industry, including an update on the Texas Legislature's recently completed session, overview of federal issues and initiatives, cybersecurity measures, pandemic protocols, digital closings, and more.
Moderator Patrick Rose and panelists Johnny Collins, Claire Hartman and Bo Feagin share insights on pandemic lessons learned from an agency perspective.
The 2021 Texas Legislative Wrap-Up, which was moderated by TLTA Regulatory Chair Roland Love and featured Legislative Committee chair Steve Streiff and TLTA's Director of Government Affairs and Counsel Aaron Day, was among the conference's most popular presentations. At the TLTAPAC breakfast featuring political and legislative analysis by Evan Smith of the Texas Tribune, state Rep. Hugh Shine, who passed the Homestead Certainty Bill this session, joined us to accept our industry's Outstanding Legislator award. Sen. Bryan Hughes, who carried the Quitclaim Bill this session, was also honored.
2021 Legislative Wrap-Up with TLTA Legislative Committee Chair, Steve Streiff and TLTA Gov. Affairs Director, Aaron Day;
State Rep. Hugh Shine honored with Outstanding Legislator Award
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.
During the President's Evening festivities, Steve Streiff was honored with Title Person of the Year, and Brandi Abercombie received the James H. Garst President's Award, along with TLTA Director of Education Lynne Daves. And, in a bittersweet moment that's repeated year after year, we said goodbye and thank you to outgoing TLTA President John Bruce, who passed the gavel to our association's president for 2021-2022, John Updegraff Jr.
Following awards and recognitions, this year's TLTAPAC auction was livelier than ever, and the generous contributions of our winning bidders raised more than $100,000 to support TLTAPAC. And, as always, the fun and fellowship continued at the after party.
Outgoing TLTA President John Bruce kicks off President's Evening celebration
Steve Streiff honored as Title Person of the Year; Brandi Abercrombie receives James. H Garst President's Award
John Bruce passes the gavel to incoming TLTA President 2021-22 John Updegraff Jr.
President's evening dinner, PAC Auction, dancing and more!
It was so good to reunite with old friends, gather fresh perspectives on the challenging pandemic landscape and our state's robust real estate marketplace, and celebrate the traditions that bind Texas title professionals.
Be sure to mark your calendar and book your hotel room for TLTA's 2022 Conference: June 13-15, 2022 at the Omni Fort Worth Hotel.
See More Photos of the 2021 TLTA Annual Conference and Business Meeting »
Read Press Release Re: TLTA's New President John Updegraff Jr. »
Read Press Release Re: Title Person of the Year Steve Streiff »
Read Press Release Re: Brandi Abercrombie Recipient of James H. Garst President's Award »
Read Press Release Re: Outstanding Legislator Award Sen. Bryan Hughes »
Read Press Release Re: Outstanding Legislator Award Rep. Hugh Shine »
2021-2022 Board of Directors Installed
Texas Land Title Association | Aug. 29, 2021
During the 2021 TLTA Annual Conference and Business Meeting, TLTA installed our 2021-2022 Board of Directors:
President
John Updegraff Jr., Old Republic National Title Insurance Company, Frisco
President-Elect
Paul R. Rodriguez, Valley Land Title Co., McAllen
Immediate Past President
John P. Bruce, CTIP, Heritage Title Company of Austin, Inc., Austin
Agent Section Chair
Mike Withrow, Basin Abstract & Title, Odessa
Agent Section Vice Chair
Claire Hartman, First Community Title LLC, Temple
Agent Section Delegate
Michael A. Knudsen, Veritas Title, Houston
Agent At-Large Director
Erica Hallmark, East Texas Title Companies, Tyler
Agent At-Large Director
Patrick M. Rose, Corridor Title, San Marcos
Underwriter Section Chair
Rodney Anderson, Alliant National Title Insurance Company, Grand Prairie
Underwriter Section Vice Chair
Peter Graf, Republic Title of Texas, Inc., Dallas
Underwriter Section Delegate
Gil Ernst, Fidelity National Title Group, Dallas
Underwriter At-Large Director
Denise Smith Holmes, CTIP, Independence Title, Cypress
Underwriter At-Large Director
Randy L. Watkins, Stewart Title Guaranty Company, Dallas
New Laws That Could Impact Your Operations Effective Sept. 1 – On-Demand Webinar and Legislative Report Available
Texas Land Title Association | Aug. 27, 2021
Steve Streiff, Chair of TLTA's Legislative Committee, and Aaron Day, Director of Government Affairs and Counsel for TLTA, last week presented a webinar that's now available on-demand,
2021 Texas Legislative Wrap-Up: New Laws and Near Misses.
Hear the inside scoop on what happened during the Texas Legislature's recently ended 87th Regular Session. Find out about the new laws that will affect your title insurance business and when they go into effect, including those TLTA worked proactively to pass as well as those we worked with other interested parties to amend. Just as importantly, hear about the bills that didn’t pass, particularly those TLTA opposed and why they would have been detrimental to the title insurance industry. These seasoned experts will also share their insights on the legislative process in general and how it played out during this unique pandemic session.
Register for the on-demand webinar now »
ICYMI, here's
TLTA's 2021 Legislative Report, which also includes information on new laws and other industry news from the Texas Legislature's 87th Regular Session, which concluded in May.
As you may be aware, the Texas Legislature is currently navigating the 2nd Called Session of the 87th Texas Legislature, and more special sessions are expected in the weeks and months ahead as lawmakers work on redistricting and other special issues called by Gov. Greg Abbott. There are no industry issues in play during these special sessions, but we remain watchful and will alert you if there are legislative developments during the special sessions of which you should be aware.
Jack Rattikin III Nominated as ALTA's 2021 – 2022 President-Elect; Other TLTA Members Nominated for the Board
American Land Title Association | Aug. 24, 2021
ALTA’s Nominating Committee is pleased to present the list of nominations for the 2021-22 ALTA Board of Governors, as well as the Abstracters and Title Insurance Agents Executive Committee and the Title Insurance Underwriters Executive Committee. Nominations will be voted on during ALTA ONE, which will be held Oct. 12-15, 2021.
TLTA Board of Governors - 2021-2022 Nominations
President-Elect: Jack Rattikin III, Rattikin Title Co.
Review ALTA's Full Slate of Nominees »
Stewart Title Hires New Underwriting Counsel for Southwest Region
Stewart Title Guaranty Company announced that Krysta Baring has joined the company as Underwriting Counsel in the Southwest Region. Baring will provide underwriting support and guidance to Stewart employees and agents with a focus on Texas transactions.
Read the Press Release »
Amanda Molinare-Lopez Joins Community National Title as Executive Vice President of Sales and Strategic Growth
Amanda Molinare-Lopez has joined Community National Title as Executive Vice President of Sales and Strategic Growth across all brands. Before joining the team at CNAT, she was a sales executive with Texas National Title and Gracy Title, where she began her career.
Covius Names Peter Palermo Vice President of Business Development for reQuire Real Estate Solutions Group
Covius, a provider of technology-enabled solutions to the financial services industry, announced that Peter Palermo has joined the Company’s reQuire Real Estate Solutions group as Vice President of Business Development.
Read the Press Release »
Deadline Friday: 2021 Leadership Academy Applications
Texas Land Title Association | Aug. 29, 2021
As part of TLTA's mission to help develop the next generation of title industry leaders, we are hosting the Alex H. Halff Leadership Academy Nov. 8-9, 2021, in Austin.
Deadline to apply is this Friday, Sept. 3.
Apply, or encourage a promising young title professional to submit an application.
This two-day title industry leadership academy, which was created by industry experts, equips young professionals to excel in their jobs and take active roles in our industry's leadership community via the following time-tested tactics:
- Honing their leadership and management skills
- Strengthening their communication skills
- Providing them with valuable industry history, facts and trends
- Coaching them on presentation and speaking skills
- Exposing them to customer service and conflict resolution strategies
- Helping them build a professional network
The application deadline is this Friday, Sept. 3, 2021. Space is limited, and applicants will know if they've been accepted no later than Sept. 10, 2021.
Learn More »
Complete the Application »
Contact Kim Schoppert for More Info »
This event is sponsored byFirstAmericanSponsor2020_1653435.jpg
A Warm Welcome to Our Newest TLTA Members
Agent Members
Hardeman County Title Company, LLC
Contact: Marley Elliott
105 W. 4th St.
Quanah, TX 79252
940.663.5132
[email protected]
Santa Fe Title, LLC
Contact: Greg Lamb
5723 S. State Hwy. 205, Ste. 102-B
Rockwall, TX 75032
214.304.1881
[email protected]
Bravo Company Title
Contact: Lantis Roberts
1166 West Pioneer Pkwy.
Arlington, TX 76013
214.702.5673
[email protected]
www.bravocompanytitle.com
Anderson County Abstract Company, LLC
Contact: Sheila Davis
519 N. Church St.
Palestine, TX 75802
903.723.5501
[email protected]
www.andersoncountyabstract.com
Timios
Contact: Jordan Tomenga
1233 Main St., Ste. 200
Austin, TX 78703
512.212.4444
[email protected]
Tejas Land & Title, LLC
Contact: Andrea Johnson
200 Paloma Dr., Ste. 100
Temple, TX 76502
254.239.0100
[email protected]
www.tejaslandtitle.com
Red River County Abstract
Contact: Cassie Cannon
315 N. Locust St.
Clarksville, TX 75426
430.224.9920
[email protected]
www.rrca.pro
Vanquish Land Title, LLC
Contact: Ashley Stockton
901 S. Mopac Expy., Bldg. 1, Ste. 300
Austin, TX 78746
737.260.3533
[email protected]
www.vanquishlandtitle.com
Latitude Title, LLC
Contact: Ency Abraham
101 Parklane Blvd., Ste. 102
Sugar Land, TX 77478
832.886.6834
[email protected]
www.nonametitle.com
HomeLight Settlement, LLC
Contact: Chris Capezzera
14800 Landmark Blvd., Ste. 220
Dallas, TX 75254
469.501.7429
[email protected]
www.homelightclosingservices.com
Copano Title, LLC
Contact: Jenice Castillo
P.O. Box 2126
Rockport, TX 78381
361.526.2288
[email protected]
www.copanotitle.com
Endpoint Title of Texas
Contact: Trent Capps
6900 Dallas Pkwy., Ste. 300
Plano, TX 75024
469.529.5084
[email protected]
www.endpointclosing.com
Associate Members
Avanta Risk Management
Contact: Glenn McCarthy
6333 E. Mockingbird, Ste. 147-913
Dallas, TX 75214
866.484.7995
[email protected]
www.avantarisk.com
Garris Horn, LLP
Contact: Troy Garris
325 N. Saint Paul St., Ste. 3100
Dallas, TX 75201
469.731.3310
[email protected]
www.garrishorn.com
Bank Shot
Contact: Emily Traxler
3490 Piedmont Rd. NE, Ste. 1350
Atlanta, GA 30305
678.842.4255
[email protected]
www.getbankshot.com
The Keller Firm
Contact: Mike Keller
3400 N Central Expwy., Ste. 110-282
Richardson, TX 75080
214.775.0817
[email protected]
www.kellerfirm.com
Draycott Place Consulting, LLC
Contact: Steven Palmer
79 Butler Lane
New Canaan, CT 06840
203.952.2632
[email protected]
www.draycottplace.biz
TitleLogix Solutions, LLC
Contact: Max Harris
101 Vintage Dr., Ste. 100
Red Oak, TX 75154
713.453.8822
[email protected]
www.titlelogixsolutions.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!