The American Land Title Association (ALTA) has announced winners of the 2023 ALTA Our Values Awards. The awards program showcases the title insurance industry’s Our Values initiative, which serves as a cultural compass and highlights core ideals ALTA members embrace.
Winners were honored during ALTA ONE, the largest annual event for the land title insurance industry, held Oct. 10-13 in Colorado Springs, Colo. The two individual awards each represent a value ALTA holds dear:
We Lead: We are the authority in real estate transactions and innovate for our customers.
We Protect: We protect the property rights of those we serve.
The third award, for collaboration, is given to the leader of a branch, group or team that lives Our Values consistently and demonstrates an extraordinary level of positive impact on those who rely on their services.
Jamie A. Kosofsky, executive vice president of business development and compliance and founding partner of Brady & Kosofsky in Charlotte, N.C., won the We Lead Award for championing the proper and effective use of notary services for more than 15 years and leading the way in remote online notarization (RON) legislation. His firm was the first in North Carolina to perform a full in person electronic notary (IPEN) purchase transaction and complete a fully remote online closing utilizing the North Carolina Emergency Video Notarization Act. Kosofsky was one of the leading proponents and drafters of the North Carolina Remote Electronic Notary Act, which was passed in July 2022.
“I am still a little bit in shock to have won a leadership award,” Kosofsky said in a release. “Leadership did not come easily; in fact, my inability to lead almost cost me my job. Law school did not teach me to be a leader. I think I went through 30 or so employees in a period of a year because I did not have the skills. After members of my team pulled me into a room and gave me a ‘good talking to,’ I started reading and learning about how to lead people. From that point, I realized it was always about the people.”
David D. Lanaux, president of Title Professionals of Florida in Fort Myers, Fla., won the We Protect Award for his tenacity and persistence in fighting fraud. Since establishing a unique quality-control system and check points for staff, Lanaux’s policies and procedures have resulted in zero fraud-related losses to his agency in more than a decade.
“I am deeply grateful for this recognition and accept it on behalf of myself and my staff, without whom I would not be here,” Lanaux said. “I would like to extend my appreciation to ALTA for acknowledging the importance of preventing land fraud and the protection of consumers’ property and funds. Seven years ago, I changed the culture of my company from clearing title as being the No. 1 priority to emphasizing ID theft detection and consumer funds protection as our No. 1 priority. Clear title will follow. Together, we can make a difference in safeguarding our industry and ensuring the security of our consumers’ property and their funds.”
Finally, Kathy Kwak, chief operating officer of Proper Title in Chicago, won the Collaboration Award for being a true example of collaborative leadership for her staff. Kwak’s inclusive decision-making, employee engagement, mentorship and commitment to community initiatives exemplify her as a valuable leader.
“I am truly honored, humbled and was quite shocked when I found out I was the recipient of the ALTA Our Values We Collaborate Award,” said Kwak. “When I started seven years ago at Proper Title, I had no idea what I was ‘in for.’ Then COVID hit, and the company’s world was turned upside down. We just celebrated our 10-year anniversary, and it made me reflect on how much we have grown together as a company. Most importantly, we have maintained a culture of collaboration, volunteerism, inclusion, camaraderie and mutual respect. I couldn’t be prouder to be leading a company full of people who believe in the same mission. We all bleed (Proper) blue through and through.”
“Congratulations to all of the ALTA Our Values Award winners,” said ALTA CEO Diane Tomb. “Not only are these ALTA members upholding Our Values, they are championing the title insurance industry, growing their businesses and local communities and supporting the association. From a RON champion to a fraud warrior to a passionate, purposeful leader—I am proud to have each of these people in the ALTA family.”