The American Land Title Association (ALTA) has installed Bill Burding as president for the 2020-2021 year.
Burding is executive vice president and general counsel of Orange Coast Title Co. in Santa Ana, Calif. He was officially installed during the association’s virtual ALTA One conference.
“I am privileged to guide such a driven and inspiring group of title insurance industry professionals who protect the American Dream,” Burding said in a release. “Standing at the helm of the ALTA membership during a time of incredible uncertainty will be demanding, but I look forward to overcoming the obstacles in our path. I am eager to work with ALTA’s Board of Governors, staff and membership on ALTA’s latest strategic priorities.”
ALTA’s 2020-2021 strategic priorities include helping members tell their story inside and outside the industry to describe the people who make up the title insurance industry and the value they provide; developing and retaining talent; protecting customers’ privacy and investment; and promoting digital closings.
“We are closing out a year full of challenges while simultaneously jumping into more of the same,” Burding said. “During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, ALTA members were working around the clock to make closings convenient, safe and secure, which in turn kept the real estate industry firmly in the black.”
“In the coming year, ALTA will work hard to help more members add digital closing options to their businesses. Additionally, ALTA will educate members about cyber and physical environment security threats to their businesses and the impact of data privacy laws,” he said. “ALTA also will develop programs that will assist workers in navigating the changing workplace we all face. There is a lot of work to be done, and ALTA is ready to roll up our sleeves and get started.”
ALTA CEO Diane Tomb said Burding has the confidence, resilience and legal acumen essential to leading ALTA and its members through a global pandemic and economic recession.
“He will help enhance the understanding of the title insurance industry with government agencies and policymakers focused on federal real estate and housing policy and collaborate with industry stakeholders and partners on laws and advocacy efforts regarding data privacy and digital closing adoption,” Tomb said. “The challenges we’re facing require Bill’s experience and foresight to help our member companies excel in an ever-changing business and regulatory environment.”
Prior to joining Orange Coast Title in 1998, Burding was the chief operating officer and general counsel for a Colorado-based title company specializing in large multi-state commercial transactions.