The American Land Title Association (ALTA) Wednesday announced the winners of its 2020 ALTA Our Values Awards during the ALTA One virtual conference.
ALTA said the awards program highlights the core ideals ALTA members embrace.
“The Our Values Committee was very excited to have so many worthy nominees, but the award winners stood out from the rest by going above and beyond,” ALTA Immediate Past President Cynthia Durham Blair said. “We are so proud of the ALTA membership for continuing to lead, deliver and protect our customers every day.”
Nancy McHugh, president and owner of Town n’ Country Title (TNCT) won the We Lead Award for her leadership throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. During March and April 2020, TNCT was going through a large title software upgrade amid the uncertainties created by the pandemic as well as a major increase in business volume. ALTA said McHugh navigated work-from-home accommodations for her entire staff and sat with each department to learn their daily activities and help where she could.
“I am humbled and honored to have received the Our Values We Lead award from the American Land Title Association, and I thank them for this recognition,” McHugh said. “These uniquely challenging times have impacted the way I lead our team.”
“We have experienced the incredible volume increase while training and learning an entirely new production software program, just as COVID-19 changed the way we and the title industry do business,” she said. “It remains important that as a leader I lend an ear and comfort staff through concerns, illness and, unfortunately, the loss of loved ones. It has not been easy. Ultimately, I serve those that I lead by serving our customers alongside my team, by being a part of the team each day, through it all. Whatever it takes.”
Dee Harrison, president and escrow officer of Alpha Reliable Title Inc. in Orlando, Fla., won the We Deliver Award for closing a transaction at her home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
ALTA said Harrison had a client who needed to close on a property on a specific date not only because the associated rate lock was expiring, but also because the client needed to move her mother before the pandemic became too severe. Harrison set up the patio at her home for the transaction.
“I am extremely grateful to be the recipient of the “We Deliver” Award,” Harrison said. “Ever since I joined the title industry 30 years ago, it has always been my greatest pleasure to experience the tremendous joy that we bring to our clients by delivering the American Dream.”
“Each file is completely different and comes with its own set of issues that we as title agents have to deal with,” Harrison said. “My mission is that my team and I will never give up on a closing as long as there is a way to resolve the issues.”
Maureen Pfaff, ALTA board governor and president of Olympic Peninsula Title (OPT) in Port Angeles, Wash., won the We Protect Award for saving a transaction from a known fraudster who was a fugitive from another state.
ALTA said Pfaff was alerted to potential fraud when a man unknown to her wanted OPT to record documents related to a foreclosure because he claimed Fannie Mae had not paid him for work performed.
When Pfaff searched county records, she found several suspicious documents. She eventually discovered that the stranger had been convicted of a home theft scam in Montana and confirmed with the recorder’s office that he indeed was the same man who had recorded the suspicious documents.
“I am honored to receive the Our Values We Protect Award this year,” Pfaff said. “Given our specialized knowledge of the real estate transfer process, I believe we have a duty to protect the public record, question filings that don't seem right and alert property owners to questionable activity.”
“We’ve all heard stories about fraudulent transfers of title, but it’s easy to expect that it only happens somewhere else,” Pfaff said. “When I spotted it happening in my community, I was determined to put a stop to it before it turned into a huge financial mess for the property owner.”
ALTA said The Closing Agent team in Orlando, Fla., won the Our Values Collaboration Award for helping not only local real estate partners but also volunteering within the community they serve. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the office pioneered the use of remote online notarization (RON) throughout Florida. President and CEO Barry Miller was the first duly appointed remote online notary in the state. The team has provided multiple classes to real estate agents on the use of RON and the future of closings. They also hold monthly education courses for Realtors.
“From serving on the City of Orlando’s boards to volunteering time helping members of our community that are affected by hurricanes and other natural disasters, I am so happy that the team have been recognized for their tireless efforts,” Miller said. “We pride ourselves on keeping it local and look forward to many more years supporting our community.”