August 2023
In This Month's Edition
- The Power Of Being Proactive: 5 Ways To Develop This Surprising Skill
- TLTA Recognizes Denise Holmes' Longtime Leadership of the Basic Manual Task Force
- Latra Szal Appointed to Texas Real Estate Broker-Lawyer Committee
- Save the Date: Texas Land Title Institute
- Complete ALTA's 2023 Digital Closing Study Today
- In Memoriam: Marshall Harrell II
- In Memoriam: Jon Lamberson
The Power Of Being Proactive: 5 Ways To Develop This Surprising Skill
Forbes
If you’re trying to get ahead or nurture greater happiness and satisfaction in life and work, there’s a trait you may not have realized is quite so important: the ability to be proactive. Challenges are seemingly everywhere: The job market is tough, work is a struggle, stress is rampant, loneliness is epidemic, and people are polarized. But amidst all the challenges, being proactive may help.
Of course, it’s not a panacea, but research on being proactive provides powerful evidence it can help build your career, contribute to your success, foster positive relationships, nurture your fulfillment and even help you make more money.
Read more »
TLTA Recognizes Denise Holmes' Longtime Leadership of the Basic Manual Task Force
With immense gratitude, TLTA celebrates Denise Holmes as she concludes her remarkable nearly decade-long tenure as Chair of the Basic Manual Task Force. Denise, a seasoned veteran in the title industry, began her career in the early 1980s and has since been a driving force behind our association's growth and success. Since its inception in 2014, she has served as Chair of the Basic Manual Task Force, expertly guiding an extensive overhaul of the Basic Manual and collaborating closely with the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) to ensure its effectiveness and relevance.
Denise's influence extends beyond her role as chair of this pivotal task force. Her involvement across various committees, including her membership on the original Certification Committee from 2003 to 2010, her tenure on the School Committee from 1996 to 2003 (where she also assumed the role of chair from 2000 to 2002), and her contributions to the Education/Seminars Committee from 1999 to 2006 and 2010 to 2020, stands as a testament to her enduring commitment to TLTA's mission. In addition to her service, Denise’s recognition as Title Person of the Year in 2019, reception of the President’s Award in 2015, acknowledgement as Honorary Member in 2023 and reception of the Peggy Hayes Teaching Award and the Professional Excellence Award are emblematic of her profound commitment to education, professional growth, and the future of our industry
As we commemorate Denise’s tenure as Chair of the Basic Manual Task Force, we also embrace her continuation as a contributing founding member. Her wealth of knowledge, vast experience, and unwavering dedication will continue to shape the trajectory and progress of this project, fueling its continued success.
New Basic Manual Task Force Leadership Appointed
We are delighted to announce that TLTA President Rodney Anderson has appointed John Bruce as the new Chair of the Basic Manual Task Force. As a dedicated founding member of this task force, he is poised to carry forward Denise's legacy and continue to advance our efforts to create a plain language, more practically organized version of the Basic Manual in collaboration with TDI.
John Bruce
TLTA Basic Manual Task Force Chair
Latra Szal Appointed to Texas Real Estate Broker-Lawyer Committee
TLTA recognizes Latra Szal, President of Texas National Title, as one of six lawyers recently appointed to the Texas Real Estate Broker-Lawyer Committee by the president of the State Bar of Texas. The committee aims towards the goal of expediting real estate transactions and reducing controversies, while protecting the interests of all of the parties involved.
During her six-year term, Latra, alongside other committee members, will act as an advisory body to TREC, working to draft and revise all contracts promulgated by TREC for use by the over 225,000 licensed brokers and sales agents.
The committee consists of six members appointed by the Commission, six members appointed by the State Bar of Texas, and one public member appointed by the Governor's Office.
Read more »
Save the Date: Texas Land Title Institute
DECEMBER 7-8, 2023
Designed for real estate attorneys, agency owners and advanced closers, our annual Texas Land Title Institute is the go-to educational resource for advanced title professionals working to master some of our industry's most complicated challenges. R
egistration for this event will open Thursday, September 7, 2023.
We look forward to seeing you Dec. 7-8, 2023 in San Antonio for the 33rd Annual Texas Land Title Institute. You won't want to miss this opportunity to learn the latest, network with the best in the business, and earn valuable CE from the most talented and experienced minds our industry has to offer!
Complete ALTA's 2023 Digital Closing Study Today
ALTA
Digital closings continue to get a lot of headlines, and it’s important for American Land Title Association (ALTA) to track the adoption, limitations and opportunities of this technology as it pertains to real estate transactions and closings. Please join the rest of the title insurance industry in filling out ALTA’s short
2023 Digital Closing Study today.
Your participation in this study helps ALTA continue to raise awareness with policymakers about digital closings and remote online notarization (RON). It takes about 10 minutes to complete the survey, and this data's impact is invaluable to the industry as we continue to navigate a changing market.
Complete ALTA's 2023 Digital Closing Study »
In Memoriam: Marshall Harrell II
OCTOBER 22, 1934 – JULY 31, 2023
Marshall Allen Harrell II was born on October 22, 1934 in Washington D.C. He passed away peacefully on July 31, 2023 in Austin, Texas.
Marshall attended the University of Texas where he earned degrees in both business and law. His first job was at Humble Oil & Refinery Company (now Exxon) in New Orleans followed by a few years as an independent landman. He leased land for oil and gas from "Louisiana to Montana and all points in between." The landman work introduced him to the owner of the title company in Burleson County where Marshall became a part owner and eventually the full owner and ran the title company and practiced law for the next 45 years.
Read Marshall's Obituary»
In Memoriam: Jon Lamberson
AUGUST 2, 1946 – JULY 28, 2023
Jon was born August 2, 1946, in Hedley, Texas to Thomas and Jonnie Webb Lamberson. He passed away on July 28, 2023.
Jon spent most of his childhood in Amarillo, Texas and graduated from Amarillo High School in 1964. He spent the majority of his career as a property title examiner for Service Title Company and Hugo Reed and Associates in Lubbock, Texas. Jon had many and varied interests including art, woodturning, woodwork, square dancing, reading, and watching his great grandkids participate in their activities. He also enjoyed volunteering for Friends of the Library, Lubbock County 4H, serving as a board member of the Texas Boys Ranch, and serving as a past president of the Lubbock Lions Club.
Read Jon's Obituary »