Trendsetters | The Title Report

The Bob Wuerfel Story
Passion for puzzle-solving drives successful title career

B ob Wuerfel graduated from Hope College in 1988 with a major in business and a minor in geology. He was hired by a title agency as a manager trainee and found the title industry a perfect fit for both of his passions. His 30-plus year career includes founding Lighthouse Title Group in 2001 in Holland, Mich. He is president of the company, which started with one office and has grown to over 35 locations throughout Michigan and eastern Wisconsin.

Look at the top of the title insurance industry; think about today’s integral processes; imagine tomorrow’s breakthrough — that’s where you’ll find trendsetters.

This is where you’ll read their stories.

Trendsetters focuses on the passionate leaders and innovators who shape our industry. And like the Trendsetters themselves, we put our own spin on it. We hope you enjoy

Leadership and innovation are big, aspirational words, but leaders and innovators are all around — and we want to tell your stories. TTR Trendsetters is a new digital project from The Title Report where we put a spotlight on the title industry's innovators, unsung heroes, up-and-comers and veteran leaders.

In order to tell your story, we need to hear about it. Click below to provide us a glimpse into what makes you (or someone you know) a Trendsetter. If your nomination is chosen, The Title Report editor will be in touch to dive in further and write an in-depth profile on you or your colleague.

Nominate a Trendsetter...

Family honors title company's historic roots

Turning mom-and-pop into statewide power

Successful title company a family affair

Turning relationships into business success

From learning the ropes to teaching them

North Carolina title agent wears many hats

From state senate chambers to the closing table

Third generation title agent loves the industry

Determination, technology, and harnessing resources a recipe for success

Executive chef dived into title insurance with no regrets

A career spent creating technology solutions

Lawyer turned entrepreneur loves challenges of title business

Spotting and seizing worthwhile opportunities

The story of a recovering banker who became ‘King of Title’

Attention to detail, work ethic turn into thriving career

How a small shop became a large network of title agencies in Florida

From the dairy farm to the settlement table

Newest NexTitle president has done it all

Enhancing the client experience one efficiency at a time

Former real estate attorney becomes industry leader, innovator in South Texas

Love of history, tech turns into distinguished career

At home on a Bayou or a Canadian mountain, a variety of experiences led attorney to success

Mining gold as others fled the field

How a commitment to customer service, and a long-time friend, turned a settlement attorney into a data security pioneer

Facilitating thousands of American Dreams

Chasing the independent dream with a loyal team and a new technology

An unexpected start to a title insurance career

A thankless journey through the world of auditing that inspired an experimental new business model

Creating something special with best practices and collaboration

How an aspiring TV broadcaster ended up changing the processes and mindset of a small Wisconsin title agency

Providing professional service with a smile

Championing process improvement through technology

Teaching the Be-Attitudes

Sports fan and brewer finds success and happiness in the title industry.

Bringing legal expertise to the real estate transaction

An engineering student and missionary became a leader in the title industry, quite unexpectedly.

Learning from each and every job

How learning a dead language can breathe new life into a traditional industry

Going against the grain

Ignoring industry norms to forge new business, personal opportunities

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