In late March, WFG officially kicked off its ambitious Agent 2.0 initiative by hosting its first-ever Agency Executive Summit, an invitation-only event for executives from both existing and prospective customers within the company’s extensive Agency Network. The landmark event provided WFG’s Agent Network executives with a unique opportunity to engage with WFG’s executives and operational leadership team members, as well as with one another.
In addition to providing a forum for thought leadership, WFG’s Agency Executive Summit also provided the company’s title agents with a deep dive into cutting-edge discussions led by industry luminaries. The unique event format, which incorporated both general sessions and subject matter-specific breakout sessions, enabled attendees to collaborate and engage with one another, exchange ideas, forge new partnerships, unlock fresh perspectives, and strategize on ways to differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive market.
In addition to incorporating the first-ever in-person session of WFG’s hugely popular Quarterly Economic Forecast presentation featuring Chairman and Founder Patrick Stone, the event also featured general sessions and intimate hands-on workshops on a wide range of topics, including CX, seller impersonation fraud, AI, cybersecurity, operational best practices, company culture, mergers and acquisitions, and success strategies for 2024 and beyond. Featured speakers included WFG executives and subject matter experts from in and outside of the title industry, as well as members of WFG’s Agent Network.
“With the launch of our Title Agent 2.0 program, we believe we have a model in place that provides tremendous value to our title agents, equipping them with programs and best practices they can immediately implement to enhance their businesses,” WFG EVP and Director of Strategic Initiatives Justin Tucker explains.
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| Pictured (L to R): Gene Rebadow, Kathy Kwak, Patrick Stone and Stan Czaja. |
The inspiration for WFG's Agent 2.0 program and the Agency Executive Summit stemmed from feedback received from the company’s title agents through direct interactions, as well as a detailed survey of WFG’s 1,800-plus title agents. Survey respondents collectively expressed a desire and need for hands-on support with various business and operational needs; however, it was the direct input from WFG title agent Proper Title COO Kathy Kwak that served as the brainchild for the WFG Agency Executive Summit.
When asked how it all came about, Kwak explained, “I think it began with a conversation I had with Stan (Czaja). I told him that I felt what was missing is bringing agents together to collaborate and work together. I feel that there’s not an underwriter that’s done this yet. And so, I was just thinking out loud because underwriters are constantly asking, ‘how can we do better? How can we help you?’ The next thing I know, Stan follows up and says, ‘Gene (Rebadow) really liked your idea.’ I was like, ‘what are you talking about?’ And he said, ‘that agent thing. I think that Gene wants to put something together.’ And I was like, ‘No way!’ I didn’t really believe it. The next thing I know, I’m on a call with Gene and that’s how I met him. And he asked me, ‘what did you talk to Stan about? This sounds really exciting!’ And so I just started talking out loud about the needs of the title agents.
“What the summit turned into, oh my gosh.” Kwak continued. “I mean they took my idea and they put it on steroids! I don’t know how else to describe it. It was so good! It stood out. I’ve been invited to attend other executive leadership events and I have to say that this event was very unique and special.”
Kwak, who co-presented with Baxter Title Owner John Ricker in both the general and breakout sessions on Cultivating Company Culture, went on to explain what made WFG’s Agency Executive Summit so special from her perspective.
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Pictured (L to R): Patrick Stone, Kathy Kwak and Gene Rebadow.
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"I love the idea of Agent 2.0, meaning, ‘we’re going to help you succeed, because if you don’t succeed, we’re not going to succeed.’ I haven’t heard that. Usually it’s ‘what can we provide you so you can give us more money? Or ‘these are the rules,’ but instead, their approach was, ‘we’re going to give you the tools so you can succeed because, if we give you the tools you need, that’s only going to benefit us. So we’re going to spend money because the return’s going to come later.’
“We were all brought together by WFG, why wouldn’t we use WFG? That’s going to be a common thread,” Kwak continued. “We just got a commercial deal from Proper’s sales executive who attended. She met someone and he’s already sent us a deal. And he’s like, ‘if you’re in these states, please think of us.’ And we’re like, ‘absolutely.’ And there's that understanding. You all did such an extraordinary job empowering us that I felt like the [collective] energy was, ‘of course, we want to collaborate. Why do we want to compete?’ And that's how it was throughout the entire summit.
“And for Pat (Stone) and Gene (Rebadow) to be so present, that was huge. You don't see other CEOs or executive leaders directly engaging, playing games, singing, dancing. They usually come in, make a speech and they're out. There's no time to really get to know each other. So that was really great, too. And the intimacy was awesome. I actually told Pat, Gene, and Stan, ‘you are going to have a problem with invitations and attendees because word's going to spread about this event. Everyone's going to want to come, so you guys are going to have to really strategize. It has to be an invitation.’ And they just started laughing. But I told them I was being serious. It's going to have to be an invitation. It's going to blow up.”
WFG EVP of Agency Operations Gene Rebadow explains what WFG set out to accomplish with Agency Executive Summit and the Agent 2.0 initiative.
“Our title agents have told us that what they’re really looking for is a collaboration partner who truly understands what they’re going through, and is willing and able to provide them with blueprints and assist with their execution. We're uniquely positioned to be a true collaboration and execution partner for our title agents because we live what they live every day, and we're willing to share literally every component of what we do to help make them more successful. The best part of the Agent 2.0 model is that it creates a relationship that is mutually beneficial. We learn from our agents and they learn from us, which makes everyone more successful. And when they’re more successful, we’re more successful, so it’s a win-win for all!”
Michael Ruder, Founder and Owner of Legacy Settlement Services, LLC and a WFG Agent, who was awarded WFG’s 2023 Chairman Award during the event, had the following enthusiastic things to say about WFG’s Agency Executive Summit.
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| Pictured (L to R): Patrick Stone, Michael Ruder and Tyler Harrison, Legacy Settlement Services LLC; and Gene Rebadow. |
“It was fantastic! I’ve been to other underwriter conferences and a lot of different title events over the years, and you kind of go in there thinking you might get bored, but when we sat down the first day in that big room I was captivated from start to finish. The speakers that you guys brought, the thought and insight that was put into the type of content and the type of education that was going to be given to the title agents was absolutely incredible,” Ruder said. “The breakout rooms where you could ask questions and go really deep into really important things like joint ventures and how to do them legally, above board, what you need to look out for. The merger and acquisition stuff on what you’re looking to do if you want to sell your company or you want to create a new opportunity for yourself. It’s information that just is not readily available and out there. Especially, I mean for me, I’m kind of in my own zone with my head like this with my people, and to come and be able to learn about and get educated on that kind of stuff was terrific. My CFO Tyler and I took a lot from it. Basically, it was amazing. I mean the value-add. Just to summarize, it was truly the best (title event) I’ve ever been to. I’m impressed.
“Also, the transparency of WFG was awesome. Talking actual numbers and literally talking about how you guys scale. They’re tough things to talk about because there are people in the room that work there, and some people can lose jobs and things happen in this industry, but there was no holdback of transparency. And it is like you guys have to be doing the same thing on your end. You’ve got to be looking at everything all the time. The dollars, the cents, the volumes, the threats.”
What makes WFG’s Agent 2.0 program unique is that it transcends the conventional underwriter-title agent relationship by emphasizing the development of synergistic, proactive partnerships between WFG and its title agents, through which WFG learns from its agents just as they learn from WFG. This open sharing of information facilitates exponential growth for WFG and its title agents, making it a true win-win for both.
“We are literally opening up and sharing our playbook with our title agents to help them take these best practices from concept to implementation,” Rebadow explains.
Ruder expressed how this unique approach infused the Executive Summit with energy and valuable content,” There was a really awesome harmonious feeling to this event and the whole time it was really easy to talk to other agents, but it wasn’t like that just happened. WFG really opened that up and it was spoken about quite a bit. And when we had lunch, we talked to so many other business owners privately in conversations, and that was so valuable because how other do you get a chance to do that? And you’re all sitting in the same boat, you’re doing the same thing. A lot of times, you have the same problems, and you have different solutions, and you’re able to help each other. So that was great! The connections with other title company owners were awesome.
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| Pictured (L to R): Patrick Stone, Michael Ruder and Tyler Harrison, Legacy Settlement Services LLC; and Gene Rebadow. |
“Overall, the education and the different types of content were captivating. I never got bored. The joint venture stuff was really informative. The sell impersonation, wire fraud, and bad actor stuff…you hate to hear it and you hate listening to it over and over, but you always learn something new, and you have to be thinking about it. So, they talked about the things during the summit that you don’t want to talk about, but you need to. So that was pretty cool! I respected that.”
Kwak elaborated, “I think that substance and the information was excellent. It was very well organized where it flowed really well. I think that was really great. And again, I really liked the intimacy of it and just Pat and Gene being real people. They were just wonderful. You can tell that they were very passionate about making sure that we continue to get resources and tools and they're there to help us as partners. And also they're very open to feedback. That's huge.”
Another attendee, Rally Point Title Agency President Emily Robinson, had this to say about WFG’s Agency Executive Summit.
“I recently had the pleasure of attending The WFG Executive Summit and have to say it was a great experience to learn and grow with other industry professionals. It had exceeded my expectations for what this conference would be like and was an incredible opportunity to be amongst other title minds looking to expand and share their knowledge of our industry. The presentation schedule was very well organized and timely, every detail was crafted to provide a comprehensive dive into the subject matter. The summit was not just a conference; it was an opportunity for fellow professionals to collaborate amongst one another to elevate all of our businesses,” Robinson said.
“Experts and thought leaders of our title space graciously shared their insights of what the future may hold. I have no doubts that everyone in attendance walked away with greater knowledge and innovative strategies to apply and share with our teams on the front lines. The WFG Executive Summit was not just a great event; but an occasion amongst our title community that I look forward to attending in the future!”
Ruder went on to share his personal experience meeting Stone during the Agency Executive Summit, “During the event they had a red carpet where you could take a picture with Pat (Stone) and Gene (Rebadow). And so we did that, and I went up to Pat and said, ‘Uncle Pat, I’m Michael Ruder. You don’t know me now, but you’re going to. I am going to be your number one customer.’ He said, ‘I like that. I like it. I like your style!’ He’s cool. I really like him!”
As feedback from the company’s title agents illustrates, WFG doesn’t view them as clients, but as integral contributors to their collective success. This unique approach enables WFG and its title agents to engage in productive conversations through which ideas flow freely, influencing strategies and inspiring innovation within WFG Agency and its title agents’ operations. Through this unique collaborative relationship, WFG Agency is establishing itself not only as a champion of change but also as a devoted partner, bringing forth expertise and innovation to elevate the performance of each title agent partner.
For more information about the WFG’s Agent 2.0 initiative or the Agency Executive Summit, contact your WFG Agency Representative or email WFG’s Agency Team at [email protected].
About WFG National Title Insurance Company
Portland, Oregon-based WFG National Title Insurance Company (WFG), a Williston Financial Group company, is a leading provider of title insurance and real estate settlement services for commercial and residential transactions nationwide. One of just six truly national title underwriters, WFG accomplished its national footprint faster than any other underwriter in history.
Built around the directive to “communicate, collaborate, coexist,” WFG strives to improve the real estate process through the creation and delivery of comprehensive, innovative services and technology solutions that empower and increase transaction transparency for the title agents, real estate professionals, lenders, and consumers it serves. The company enjoys a Financial Stability Rating of A’ (A prime), as assigned by Demotech, Inc. For more information, visit www.wfgtitle.com.