Trendsetters | The Title Report

The Matt McDonald Story
From learning the ropes to teaching them

W hen Matt McDonald came aboard as president of Memphis, Tenn.-based Realty Title and Escrow Co. at its launch in January 2001, he was Employee No. 1. Under his leadership, the Crye-Leike, Realtors affiliate has grown to become the seventh-largest title affiliate in the country by number of transactions, according to the 2021 Real Trends 500 rankings.

Today, Realty Title and Escrow has 45 offices in Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia.

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...

From state senate chambers to the closing table

North Carolina title agent wears many hats

Determination, technology, and harnessing resources a recipe for success

Third generation title agent loves the industry

A career spent creating technology solutions

Executive chef dived into title insurance with no regrets

Spotting and seizing worthwhile opportunities

Lawyer turned entrepreneur loves challenges of title business

Attention to detail, work ethic turn into thriving career

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

From the dairy farm to the settlement table

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

Enhancing the client experience one efficiency at a time

Newest NexTitle president has done it all

Love of history, tech turns into distinguished career

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

Mining gold as others fled the field

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

Facilitating thousands of American Dreams

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

An unexpected start to a title insurance career

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

Creating something special with best practices and collaboration

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

Providing professional service with a smile

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

Teaching the Be-Attitudes

Championing process improvement through technology

Bringing legal expertise to the real estate transaction

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

Learning from each and every job

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

Going against the grain

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

Turning mom-and-pop into statewide power

Ignoring industry norms to forge new business, personal opportunities

Turning relationships into business success

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