Convention Speakers

KEYNOTE & ALTA GUEST SPEAKER:

DEBORAH BAILEY, ESQ.

After earning her law degree from the University of Miami, ALTA Board Governor Deborah S. Bailey Esq., worked in private practice in the metro Atlanta area for 18 years until founding Bailey Helms Legal LLC in Roswell, Ga., in 2018. She is an ALTA Board Governor, currently representing the Agents & Abstractors Section, and serves on multiple ALTA committees, including the State Legislative/Regulatory Action Committee, Governmental Affairs Committee, Industry Business Steering Committee, Public Affairs Steering Committee, and Education Committee. She also is Chair of ALTA’s DI Advisory Council. Additionally, Bailey is a member of International Trade in Legal Services, a standing committee of the State Bar of Georgia and she was formerly a member of the Executive Committee of the Real Property Law Section of the State Bar of Georgia and a member of the Board of Directors of Southeast Land Title Association.
 

 



MATTHEW RATHBUN

Matthew Rathbun is a seasoned traveler and speaker, bringing the latest real estate trends and techniques to agents everywhere. With a mix of geeky enthusiasm and sharp wit, he helps agents see their profession in a whole new light. Proudly calling himself the 'worst-student-ever,' Matthew flips the script, putting himself in the learner’s shoes to deliver fresh, practical strategies. As a licensed broker in Virginia, Maryland, and DC, and the Executive Vice President of Coldwell Banker Elite, he mentors over 250 agents and staff. Matthew’s impressive collection of awards includes 2 National, a state and local Instructor of the Year titles and the prestigious REALTOR® of the Year. His sessions are enriched by his experience as a real estate technologist and his deep understanding of the evolving industry. Matthew’s unique approach makes every class a blend of humor, expertise, and engaging insights, ensuring a memorable learning experience for all.

 
 

 

MELINDA FRAVEL  

Melinda, Vice President and Title Services Manager for Old Republic Title, has dedicated 30 years to mastering the complexities of the title insurance industry. Her career is marked by a steady rise through the ranks, from her early days as a lead typist, national recording coordinator, and search-title plant coordinator, to her 18-year leadership of Old Republic’s production department. Specializing in risk management and title examination, Melinda is a dedicated mentor and has served as the Chair of the VLTA Title Examination Section Committee since 2019. She remains passionate about providing high-level service and sharing her deep technical expertise with the next generation of title professionals.

 
 

 

mICHELLE STATZ 

Michelle Statz is Vice President and Virginia & West Virginia Underwriting Counsel for The Fidelity National Financial Family of Companies, which includes Fidelity National Title Insurance Company, Chicago Title Insurance Company and Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company. Michelle graduated from The College of William & Mary and then went to law school at the University of Richmond School of Law. She started with the Company in 2008 as Claims Counsel for Lawyers Title Insurance Corporation in Richmond. She was later promoted to a Senior Claims Counsel in our Jacksonville Claims Center where she focused on complex and high-exposure Virginia claims. Michelle is currently an Underwriting Counsel, assisting Central Virginia residential and commercial agents and attorneys with title insurance issues and any associated risk analysis. Michelle is a member of the Virginia State Bar and frequently presents seminars and webinars on various title insurance and real property issues. She lives in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, where she enjoys golf and playing on the beach with her dogs, Abby & Duncan.

 
 



LEIGH HUBBARD

Leigh Hubbard is a seasoned association executive with more than 27 years of experience guiding organizations through governance, growth, and change—often simultaneously and always with a steady hand. As President and CEO of Trade Up Consulting & Management, she provides executive leadership, strategic planning, and operational oversight to a diverse portfolio of trade and professional associations across Virginia and beyond. Leigh’s expertise spans board development, governance, human resources, financial management, education programming, events, and volunteer leadership, making her a trusted advisor to boards that want both structure and forward momentum. She is particularly known for translating big-picture strategy into practical action—helping boards move from “great ideas” to “done.” Her career includes leadership roles with statewide trade associations and nonprofit boards. She is a published author, frequent speaker, and long-time advocate for professional development, strong governance, and doing things the right way (even when it’s the harder way). When Leigh isn’t managing associations or facilitating board conversations, she can usually be found building community connections, supporting local causes, or reminding leaders—with a smile—that governance works best when it’s thoughtful, transparent, and occasionally paired with good humor. 

 
 

   

ROBERT MICHAEL

Robert Michael recently joined Aldridge Pite, LLP, where he serves as the Supervising Partner of the Firm’s Virginia practice. Before his practice was merged Aldridge Pite, Mr. Michael was a Member of the BWW Law Group, LLC where he has practiced for the past 16 years. In a practice which focuses primarily on residential foreclosure, real estate, bankruptcy, and eviction, Mr. Michael has defended federal claims brough under various federal consumer protection statutes (e.g. the FDCPA, RESPA, HAMP, HOEPA, TCPA, and TILA), including several notable cases before Virginia’s Appellate and Federal Courts and the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Michael is a member of the Virginia Creditors Bar Association, is a frequent panelist at default servicing seminars, and has published articles in several industry publications including The Fee Simple (the Virginia State Bar Real Property Section’s semi-annual journal) and the USFN. He has served as a panelist at seminars in Virginia and nationally for VACLE, the Virginia State Bar’s Real Property Section, USFN, ALFN, and National Business Institute. Robert lives in Louisa, Virginia, with his wife, Tiffany, and their three sons, Connor, Declan and Crosby.

 
 

 

STEPHANIE VERMILLION

Speaker details publishing soon.








 
 
 

 

CYNTHIA NAHORNEY

Cynthia is Vice President and Area Agency Counsel for the Fidelity National Financial Family of Companies which includes Fidelity National Title Insurance Company, Chicago Title Insurance Company, and Commonwealth Land Title Company. She provides counsel, underwriting solutions and associated risk analysis to the Company’s Eastern and Southeastern Virginia agencies and attorneys. Cynthia was in private practice for 18 years in the Hampton Roads area representing national developers and lenders in negotiating and closing complex commercial real estate and business transactions before joining Lawyers Title Insurance Corporation as underwriting counsel in 2005. In 2009, with the merger of Fidelity and Lawyers Title, Cynthia joined the Fidelity Family of Title Insurers. Cynthia received her undergraduate degree in English from Old Dominion University and her law degree from the University of Richmond School of Law. Cynthia is an adjunct professor of law at William & Mary Law School. She has qualified as an expert witness in both state and federal courts. She is a member of the Virginia Land Title Association and a member of the Commercial Real Estate Women of Hampton Roads having served on the initial Board of Directors and Steering Committee of that organization. Cynthia is currently Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Real Property Sec on of the Virginia State Bar. She frequently presents seminars, webinars and speaks on various title insurance and real property topics across the State of Virginia.