Even as Stewart Information Services Corp. awaits approval of its acquisition by Fidelity National Financial, Inc., the company continues to make leadership changes.
The latest is the announced retirement of Group President Pat Beall, a well-known industry name who has served in a variety of leadership roles for more than three decades with Stewart Title. Beall will continue to serve through the end of the year.
Tara Smith, Stewart’s executive vice president and agency services senior director, will be promoted and named group president, agency services, Stewart announced. Smith has been with Stewart since 2013 as a senior member of the agency services leadership team.
She will be responsible for all agency operations effective January 2019.
“I cannot thank Pat enough for his leadership and extraordinary contribution to Stewart over the decades as well as his methodical approach to development and succession planning, positioning Tara for tremendous success moving forward,” Stewart CEO Matt Morris said in a release.
“With over three decades of service with Stewart, Pat has exemplified what it means to be a team player,” Morris added. “We wish him all the best as he enjoys his expanded time with friends and family.”
Beall said he’s confident Stewart is well positioned to build on the strong market position the company has developed.
“I am fortunate to have an experienced team around me supporting our agency network and proud to have been associated with a company whose culture and focus on customer service is second to none,” Beall said. “Tara and her team will continue to provide Stewart’s s Trusted Provider network of more than 2,800 agents the expertise and service that they have come to expect from Stewart.”
In March, Fidelity announced its planned acquisition of Stewart. That deal is expected to close during next year’s first or second quarter.