Back to top
Join us on LinkedIn Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Follow us on Instagram
 
  OCTOBER RESEARCH STORE SUBSCRIBE LOG IN
AddControlToContainer_DynamicNavigation1
The Title Report > Trendsetters > The Jack Rattikin Story
 

The Jack Rattikin Story

Thursday, August 11, 2016
Email A Friend Printer Friendly Version
Exclusive
Third generation title agent loves the industry

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."

"I’m proud to be part of what I think is a tremendous business, and a great way to assist consumers."

Jack Rattikin

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.

Put 40 Years of Industry Expertise to Work for You

SoftPro has been the nation’s leading provider of closing, title, & escrow software for four decades! Learn how our award-winning products and services can maximize your efficiency and streamline your workflow.

 

 

eSign + RON with SoftPro Sign

With SoftPro Sign, all parties involved in a real estate transaction can securely sign and/or notarize documents online. SoftPro Sign allows for digital closings and can be used exclusively for eSigning or for eSigning paired with RON.

 

 

Integrations for Closing and Title Services

SoftPro 360 is a free vendor portal that gives you access to the closing and title providers you need all in one place. Order services like eRecording, CPLs and jackets, and more directly from your SoftPro software, saving time and money.

 

 








News by Topic   News by Edition   In-depth Reports   Events   Subscribe
Announcements
Conference Coverage
Cyberawareness
Industry News
Market Data
People on the Move
Technology
Trendsetters
The TRID Journey
 
April 7, 2025
April 21, 2025
May 5, 2025
May 19, 2025
June 2, 2025
Archives
 
2025 Voice of the Title Agent Report
2025 State of the Industry Report
Cybersecurity Today
2024 Title Technology
eClosing Innovations
Technology as a Compliance Tool
Trendsetters
Archives
 
 
National Settlement Services Summit (NS3)
Women's Leadership Summit (WLS)
Webinars
 
Newsletter Subscriptions
Free Email Updates
Try a Free Edition
  Resources   About   Other Publications  
 
Keys to Real Estate Podcast
Blog - Tuesdays with Mary
eClosing Solutions Showcase
Best Practices Provider Directory
Industry Partners
 
The Title Report
Contact / Editors
Social Media
Advertise
Request a Media Kit
Are You An Expert?
Subscriber Agreement
 
The Legal Description
RESPA News
Valuation Review
Dodd Frank Upate
 
                 
Copyright © 1999-2025 The Title Report
An October Research, LLC publication
3046 Brecksville Road, Suite D, Richfield, OH 44286
(330) 659-6101, All Rights Reserved
www.thetitlereport.com | Privacy Policy
VISIT OUR OTHER WEBSITES
> Valuation Review
> RESPA News
> The Legal Description
> Dodd Frank Update
> NS3 The Summit
> Women's Leadership Summit
> October Research, LLC
> The October Store


Loading... Loading...
Featuring:
  • Delivery 3X a week plus breaking news as it happens
  • Comprehensive title insurance industry news
  • Recent acquisitions, mergers, real estate stats
  • Exclusive in-depth coverage of the industry's hottest stories
Featuring:
  • Delivery 2X a week plus breaking news as it happens
  • Comprehensive Dodd-Frank coverage
  • The latest information from the CFPB
  • Full coverage of Congressional hearings
  • Updates on all agency actions
  • Analysis of controversial provisions
  • Release of newest studies and reports
Sign up today and...
  • Be one of the first to know where NS3 is being held
  • Learn about NS3 speakers and sessions
  • Save on registration with Super-Early Bird rates
  • Discover the networking opportunities NS3 offers
  • Find out if CE credits will be offered for your area
  • And much more
Featuring:
  • Delivery 2X a week plus breaking news as it happens
  • Preview the latest RESPAnews.com Top Story
  • RESPA related headline news
  • Quote of the Week
Featuring:
  • Delivery 2X a week plus breaking news as it happens
  • Legal, regulatory and legislative information impacting the settlement services industry
  • News from HUD, Congress, state legislatures and other regulatory agencies
  • Follow the lobbying efforts of all the major national real estate services organizations.
Featuring:
  • Delivery 2X a week plus breaking news as it happens
  • The industry's only full-time newsroom
  • Relevant, up-to-date appraisal industry news
  • Covering the hottest stories and industry trends
NEWS BY TOPIC
NEWS BY EDITION
IN-DEPTH REPORTS
EVENTS
RESOURCES
FREE EMAIL UPDATES
ABOUT
SUBSCRIBE
Announcements
Conference Coverage
Cyberawareness
Industry News
Market Data
People on the Move
Technology
Trendsetters
Sponsored Content
Nominate a Trendsetter
What is Trendsetters
Current Edition
May 19, 2025
May 5, 2025
April 21, 2025
Archives
2025 Voice of the Title Agent
2025 State of the Industry
Cybersecurity Today
2024 Title Technology
eClosing Innovations
Real Estate Compliance Outlook
Technology as a Compliance Tool
Trendsetters
Archives
Nominate a Trendsetter
What is Trendsetters?
National Settlement
Services Summit (NS3)
Women's Leadership
Summit (WLS)
Webinars
Evolving Realtor Relationships
2025 Economic Outlook Series
CFPB's Shake-Up & Its Impact
Artificial Intelligence for Title
Industry and Regulatory Outlook
RESPA Updates You Need to Know
Strategies post-NAR settlement
Fraud Threats Facing Title
Evolving Consumer Relationships
Excess Equity
RESPA Compliance Essentials
Securing Your Cyber Network
Webinar Archives
Cyber Solutions Showcase
Keys to Real Estate Podcast
Title Insurance at Work
Blog - Tuesdays with Mary
eClosing Solutions Showcase
Executive Interview Series
Best Practices Provider Directory
Industry Partners
The Title Report
Contact Us
Social Media
Advertise
Request a Media Kit
Are You An Expert?
Subscriber Agreement