Stewart Title Guaranty Co.’s Senior Vice President, Western States Agency District Manager Mike Cranmer will retire at the end of the year. Since joining the company in 1984, he has served in a series of increasingly responsible roles, first in the Denver office serving as executive vice president and general counsel for many years and also serving Stewart regionally in various roles including underwriting, claims and in agency services.
With his retirement, group president Agency Operations George Houghton will take on the Western States district role. He now will serve as executive vice president, Western States district manager, along with leading the multi-state agency program. He will relocate to Wyoming.
“The support and dedication that our agency services group continuously gives to our network of independent agencies has contributed immensely to making Stewart the trusted provider and leader in the real estate and title industry,” CEO Matt Morris said. “We have been able to align and grow our independent agency network largely thanks to the hard work and leadership of this team, and I am confident that this new alignment of management will only continue to grow our network and support Stewart’s agencies.”
With Houghton’s role change comes another important opening. Patrick Beall, executive vice president, agency service senior director, will be promoted to group president, agency operations. He began his 28-year tenure with Stewart as president of Professional Real Estate Tax Service, later serving in several roles within direct and agency operations.
“Our agency services group has prospered to help Stewart become a leader in the industry as we’ve built a stable and profitable agency network,” Morris said. “We have grown thanks in large part to the hard work, dedication and leadership of George, Pat and Mike. We wish each of them continued success professionally and personally.”
In other Stewart news, Kim Risi was appointed division president for Stewart Title’s Vail, Colo., location. She will be responsible for the operations and continued growth for the Vail, Colo., area, including the surrounding Eagle and Lake Counties.
“I’m excited to join the Stewart Title team, and I look forward to continuing to bring a high level of service and expertise to our clients in Vail Valley,” Risi said.