The Jack Rattikin Story

Jack Rattikin III grew up talking title around the dinner table. He is the third generation in his family to lead Texas-based Rattikin Title Co. His grandfather started the title agency in 1944, then his father ran the company. Jack worked there each summer since he was 16.

"After college and law school I went straight into the business and learned from the ground up," Jack said. "In the summers when I was a kid, I was a runner. I did all the bottom rung jobs. When I got out of law school I started in the abstract department. Dad wanted me to learn every aspect of the business. He said just because I was out of law school didn't mean I would start off as a closer."

He spent a year in the examination department, worked in a branch office for several years, closed residential transactions and then moved into commercial — with the help of a mentor.

"I sat in the chief commercial closer's, Larry Townsend, office for a year just listening to everything he said, learning commercial, learning how to talk to other lawyers, how to talk to people about difficult commercial transactions," Jack said. "That's the greatest training I could have had. He was very patient with me. He was one of the best closers I had ever seen. He kicked me out after a year, and I understand that. I'm sure he was tired of me being in his office every day."

One of his harder jobs was working on a survey crew one summer in high school, jumping over fences and fighting off dogs in the summer heat. He tried banking, but realized that wasn't for him, either.

"I learned how boring banking can be," he said. "I knew banking was not my forte and I should probably go into the title business."

His family gave him room to come to that decision on this own. Even though his father and grandfather had gone into the title business, they didn't pressure him to follow in their footsteps. Jack said the fact that he wasn't forced into the industry made it all the more appealing.

"I knew it was my decision and no one else's," Jack said. "It was a great decision for me, but I've always been proud of the fact my dad showed me the business, talked to me about the business, but never said I had to go into it. I love the industry. I love the title business. I love the people in the title business. They are good, honest, hard-working professionals, and I'm proud to be part of what I think is a tremendous business, and a great way to assist consumers."

Among his greatest accomplishments in the title business was his partnership and leadership in the Texas Land Title Association. His father and grandfather were presidents of the organization.

"When I was asked to serve (as president) it was a great honor," Jack said. "I really enjoyed it. I basically lived in Austin that whole year. When I was president we didn't have all the technology we had today. I really enjoyed it and felt that was a proud moment in my career."

Jack said he is also extremely proud of his current service on the board of governors for the American Land Title Association (ALTA). He serves as chairman of the finance committee.

Taking over his grandfather's company was also a significant moment in his career. He said it can be challenging, like running any company, but it also is rewarding, with eight offices, three opened under his direction, and a production center handling title abstracting, examination, policy, accounting and IT. According to Jack, even more expansion is on the horizon for the company.

"It's fun to work with the people I get to work with every day and help all of us become better at what we do," Jack said. "I'm very happy doing what I do. I want to work a long time. I'm 58 years old and my career is not near over. I love to work. My wife would tell you I am a work-a-holic. I'm a very lucky person because I love what I do."

Not that every moment has been easy. During real estate recessions, Jack said he had to make some difficult choices about how to weather the downturn, but learned how to react quickly and kept the business going.

"One thing I learned out of those recessions is to take action more quickly as the recessions were beginning," Jack said. "It's hard to know what's going to come or how long a recession is going to last. We're going to have up years and down years. That's just the way the industry is."

When he takes a rare break from his work, Jack said he loves spending time with his wife, Laura Rattikin, and his son Cameron and daughter Courtney. They vacation at the beach in Destin, Fla., and go skiing in Colorado. They also come together to cheer on the Longhorns at the University of Texas at Austin, where he and his wife attended and daughter currently is attending.

"I like to work. I like to travel. I like spending time with my family," Jack said.

He also takes the time to volunteer in his community.

"The Gladney Center for adoption is very important to my wife and me," Jack said. "Both our kids are adopted from the Gladney Center. We have been ardent supporters of theirs and worked on their behalf in fundraising and supporting the organization. It's one of the largest and most successful adoption agencies in the country."

He also served as president of the Lena Pope Home for two years — an organization helping disadvantaged children and families grow together. He is now on the board for the home's foundation.