MAY 2025
Community Projects, Practical Title Tips, Upcoming Events, Member News, In Memoriam, and more
Jeff Davis County Courthouse Honored with TLTA-Sponsored Texas Courthouse Stewardship Award
Since the 1970s, the Texas Historical Commission (THC) has taken an active role in the preservation of county courthouses, and TLTA is honored to support the Texas Courthouse Stewardship Award and Texas Courthouse Stewardship Initiative, a training and technical program designed to promote the ongoing, regular maintenance of Texas’ historic county courthouses, since 2005.
Jeff Davis County Courthouse accepts this year's 2025 Stewardship Award from Leslie Midgley, TLTA Executive Vice President and CEO, and Elizabeth Brummet, THC Architecture Division Director
The Texas Courthouse Stewardship Award recognizes counties that have established good stewardship practices to maintain their courthouses in historically accurate condition. At this year's Real Places Conference, Leslie Midgley, TLTA Executive Vice President and CEO, had the pleasure to announce Jeff Davis County as this year’s recipient of the Award for Outstanding Stewardship of a historic courthouse.
Jeff Davis County Courthouse, 2025 Stewardship Award Recipient
The Honorable Curtis Evans, Jeff Davis County Judge, and his team have shown continued dedication to the care of their 1910 Classical Revival-style courthouse in Fort Davis. Following a full restoration completed in 2003 through the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program, the county has maintained the courthouse with attention and creativity—including the development of a custom apparatus to maintain the mechanical system.
Learn more about the Texas Historical Commission Courthouse Stewardship Program »
Security Insights: Phishing is Getting Trickier: Need to Know Info
Genady Vishnevetsky | May 2025
Even with years of training and heightened awareness, phishing remains a pervasive threat in cybersecurity. Today, cybercriminals are leveraging advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) to craft increasingly sophisticated attacks. From mimicking writing styles to cloning voices and manipulating email threads, these tactics are making phishing emails and calls more convincing than ever. Explore how these innovations are reshaping the landscape of online security.
Read more and learn how to protect yourself »
Countdown to Conference: Less Than Two Weeks Away
June 8-11, 2025 | Omni Nashville
TLTA’s Annual Conference and Business Meeting kicks off June 8–11 in Nashville—and you won’t want to miss it. If you haven’t registered yet, now’s the time.
This is your opportunity to get front-row insight into the hottest issues impacting our industry, connect with top professionals from across the state, and experience TLTA’s one-of-a-kind mix of education, networking and fun. Here’s what you can’t afford to miss:
- Hot Topics, Fresh Takes – AI, FinCEN’s new rules, just-released legislative intel, and more.
- Top-Tier Speakers – Hear directly from industry leaders and policy insiders.
- Powerful Connections – Network with decision-makers, rising stars, and key players.
- The Nashville Experience, TLTA Style – Exclusive events like our singer-songwriter showcase and President’s Dinner
View the full schedule and register today »
Title Tip: 3 Ways to Build Stronger Title Relationships
Lisa Monti | TLTA Education Committee Member
We’re excited to bring you another installment of Title Tips — our monthly video series offering quick, complimentary education from title professionals across Texas.
This month’s tip features Lisa Monti who shares simple, effective strategies for growing your business by focusing on what matters most: relationships. In this short, practical session, you’ll learn:
- How to build trust and become a true partner to clients and referral sources
- Why consistent, thoughtful communication keeps you top of mind
- Ways to add value beyond the transaction—through tools, insights, and proactive support
- Tips for using gratitude to turn one-time clients into long-term advocates
- Ideas for staying visible both online and in-person
Watch Lisa’s Title Tip video here and stay tuned for more insights next month!
Want to dive deeper into client communication and relationship building? Check out our Title 101 for Marketers on-demand webinar bundle — three sessions designed to help title marketers sharpen their skills and grow their impact.
Looking to revisit our past installments of the Title Tips Series? Visit the Title Tips Section in TLTA's Online Learning Center here.
This information is being provided by TLTA for educational and reference purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial or business advice from or on behalf of TLTA. Users should consult their own legal counsel and subject-matter experts to ensure that any policies adopted or actions taken meet the requirements unique to their company.
Celebrate Our Newest Certified Title Professionals!
At TLTA, we’re proud to recognize excellence and commitment in the Texas title industry. Today, we celebrate the newest members of our certified professional community.
Lisa M. Beville, JD, CPA, CTIP, CAEP, CESP
Old Republic National Title Insurance Company, Tool, TX
Louis Hebb, CAEP
McKnight Title, Wylie, TX
Rebecca M. Mees, CAEP
Essent Title Insurance, Inc., Aledo, TX
Mickey Gerdes, CTIP
Essent Title Insurance, Inc., Uvalde, TX
Erica Goss, CESP
Texas Regional Title, Beaumont, TX
Renee Johnson, CESP
Texan Title Insurance Company, San Antonio, TX
Have questions about the certification process?
Check out our first installment of the Certification Ask the Expert video series here, where Claire Hartman, CTIP answers common certification questions and offers insights to help you succeed.
Ready to chart your course towards certification?
Earning a TLTA certification is a testament to these professionals’ hard work and commitment to our industry. Join the ranks of distinguished title professionals across Texas and take the first step to earning your designation with our Certification Roadmap.
TLTAPAC Board of Trustee Leadership and Nominees
We are pleased to announce that TLTA President-Elect Gil Ernst has appointed Melissa Mikulik of Landtitle Texas, L.L.C., as Chair, and Mickey Gerdes, CTIP of Essent Title Insurance Company, as Vice Chair of the 2025–2026 TLTAPAC Board of Trustees.
We also want to extend our heartfelt thanks to outgoing Chair Roland Love and Vice Chair Patrick Rose for their outstanding leadership and commitment, which have been vital in strengthening TLTAPAC and driving its continued success.
The TLTAPAC Nominating Committee has nominated individuals to serve on the Board of Trustees for the upcoming term. You can
view the slate of nominees here and
see the list of returning TLTAPAC Board members here. These nominations will be presented for approval during the Terry Grantham Memorial TLTAPAC Lunch and Annual Meeting, which will take place on Tuesday, June 10, in conjunction with the TLTA Annual Conference and Business Meeting.
Read more »
Terry Grantham Memorial TLTAPAC Lunch and Annual Meeting
June 10 | TLTA Annual Conference in Nashville
Register now to attend the PAC lunch,
where you’ll also have the opportunity to hear from Evan Smith in his session, “Power, Politics, and Policy: A Deep Dive into the Capital Clash.” Evan will deliver a no-holds-barred recap of the latest Texas legislative session, sharing insider stories and behind-the-scenes drama straight from the expert on Texas and national politics.
Register for the TLTAPAC Lunch and Business Meeting »
In Memoriam: Wayne Stanley
May 17, 1986 - May 1, 2025
We are saddened to share the news that Wayne Stanley, founder and CEO of Bowe Digital and former ALTA communications leader, passed away on May 1 at age 38. Known for his creativity and passion, Wayne helped reshape marketing in the title industry and was a trusted mentor and friend to many.
Wayne began his career working for U.S. Senator Richard Lugar before joining the American Land Title Association (ALTA). There, he played a key role in launching the Homebuyer Outreach Program (HOP), helping to educate consumers about the value of title insurance.
In 2017, Wayne returned to his hometown of Kokomo, Indiana, to found Bowe Digital. Wayne’s legacy is one of innovation, generosity, and deep connection. He made a lasting impact on the industry and on all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Read Wayne's Obituary »
Read ALTA's Tribute »
Girl Scouts of Central Texas Welcomes Leslie Midgley as Board Chair
Girl Scouts of Central Texas | May 20, 2025
Girl Scouts of Central Texas (GSCTX) announced that Leslie Midgley, TLTA Executive Vice President and CEO, Girl Scouts of Central Texas board member since 2013 and Girl Scout alum, has been elected President and Chair of the Board of Directors.
Having previously served as GSCTX Board Chair in 2017, and having also served as the chair of the Council Board Development Committee and the Fund Development Committee during her long-time board service, Leslie returns to the role of Board Chair with a wealth of experience and insight to strategically guide the organization to continue its legacy of building courageous, confident leaders while meeting Central Texas girls and families where they are today.
Read the press release »
National Investors Promotes Summer Swope to Vice President
National Investors | May 19, 2025
Summer Swope has been promoted to vice president of marketing and real estate education with National Investors Title Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Investors Title Company.
Read the company's press release »