Stewart Information Services Corp. honored one of its long-time executives last week before leaving the company to pursue new opportunities.
Group President and Chief Legal Officer Mike Skalka is relocating to Virginia to join Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems (MERS) as its chief legal officer. MERS operates an electronic registry of mortgage loan servicing rights and ownership, and is presently addressing the challenging issues associated with foreclosures and mortgage record holding, areas in which Skalka’s background and knowledge is suited.
“We want to thank Mike for his years of service and the integral role he has played in the company’s long-term success,” said Matt Morris, chief executive officer of Stewart. “Mike has provided leadership and guidance to many of us during his nearly 25 years with Stewart, which will be greatly missed. He always led with integrity and professionalism, which we will continue to carry on in our leadership roles.
“We would like to pay tribute to him. His influence and impact have forever changed our company — and we will continue to benefit, as Mike will remain on the Stewart Title Guaranty Co. Board of Directors,” Morris continued.
Skalka joined Stewart in 1988 as the founding president of its New York subsidiary, Stewart Title Insurance Co. (STIC). Shortly thereafter, in the early 1990s, he helped establish the company’s operations in Canada and the United Kingdom, and then relocated from New York to Houston in 1993 to serve as executive vice president and general counsel until 2005.
Skalka led the company’s efforts outside the United States by becoming chairman of Stewart’s International group in 2005. In 2007, he became the first person outside of the Morris and Stewart families to be appointed president of Stewart Title Guaranty Co. Skalka has also continued as chairman of STIC since the early 1990s and helped lead the National Title Services Division over the past three years.
During his more than 35 years in the title and real estate industries, Skalka has established himself as an industry expert. He has had the honor to be appointed to the board of governors of the American Land Title Association, as well as its various committees, and is a past president of the New York State Land Title Association.
“I would like to thank everyone at Stewart for the support, compassion and friendships they have provided throughout the years,” Skalka said. “I am honored to have been a part of Stewart, and I sincerely appreciate the trust and faith that my fellow associates, the Morris family and Board have shown me.”