North American Title Insurance Co. (NATIC) officially announced the appointment of Michael Waiwood as Midwest regional underwriting counsel.
NATIC said Waiwood is a key member of its team going forward. He is responsible for developing and implementing NATIC’s Midwest underwriting standards, guidelines and procedures and keeping them in line with the overall standards set forth by the chief underwriting counsel. His primary role includes working with and supporting independent North American Title Insurance agents with underwriting guidance and risk mitigation in title issues throughout the Midwest.
“Michael Waiwood adds a dynamic level of expertise and personality to our agency underwriting team,” said Geoffrey Ginn, vice president of NATIC’s independent agency division. “Mike is well known in the industry and highly respected by our friends and competitors for the variety of high-level executive positions he has held. In the brief time he has worked with our team, our agents have benefited from Mike's underwriting and business advice and have developed a productive bond with Mike and with NATIC. The most impressive part of working with Mike is seeing his calm and personable style when working with our agents, which is evident in the first few moments one deals with Mike. He is a classy addition to a strong and growing company, NATIC.”
Waiwood brings a unique perspective of 35 years across both the agent and underwriting sides of the industry. Starting as the executive vice president and general counsel for Midland Title, Waiwood then gained dual responsibilities when Midland Security Inc. was acquired by a leading national title insurance underwriter. Quickly rising in the ranks from Ohio state manager to senior regional counsel to president, Waiwood is no stranger to pursuing and attaining perpetual success.
“I’ve seen this industry evolve over the past 35 years, most especially through automation,” said Waiwood. “Since locally controlled title operations have become national, I find that large companies have a way of losing touch with their independent agents. I am really impressed with how NATIC serves its agents and how they truly support independent agents in growing their own operations. With NATIC’s solid financial strength and its attention to the customs and practices of small agencies, I look forward to being a part of this company’s growth. It is really what the industry needs.”
Waiwood strove for progress within the title industry and established the Ohio Title Insurance Rating Bureau, where he sat as president from 2000-2003. He has garnered numerous accolades during his career, namely his election into the distinctive American College of Real Estate Lawyers in 1989 and being named Ohio Super Lawyer in 2006-2007.
“We're very fortunate to have someone of Mike’s caliber on our underwriting team,” said Emilio Fernandez, NATIC’s president. “Mike has had experience at all levels in our industry working with both big and small underwriters. NATIC will benefit greatly from his unique perspective on both sides of the agency and underwriting equation. We are confident his insight will be instrumental and conducive to our expansion."