VLTA Member Stories
VLTA works hard to create hard to create opportunities for the next generation and attract new talent into the Title Industry. One way we can help you see your way into a career in title and settlement services is to share our personal stories of how we landed in this exciting profession, and what skills it took to make us successful. Please read on, and you'll see that we each got here through different avenues, but have stayed because it is a rewarding profession.
You could say title insurance runs in Tina’s blood, having several title examiners and underwriters in her family before she joined the industry 27 years ago. While title examination can be a challenging career, her knowledge growth, ability and confidence in her work has allowed her to become very well respected in the industry. According to Tina, title examining is like being in the FBI; being inquisitive, solving puzzles, and having an interest in the law are essential for a successful career. Using her skills and interest in traveling to different courthouses and using new technology to solve title mysteries has been very rewarding to her.
Tina Shipley
Senior Commerical Examiner, Stewart Title & Settlement
Having spent over three decades in the industry, Ron still enjoys teaching and mentoring agents and colleagues. In fact, he considers this a critical role as Underwriting Counsel for Old Republic Title. Ron was unemployed when a colleague recommended him to a title insurer who was in need of an instructor for continuing education when insurance CE first became mandatory in the Commonwealth. It was that opportunity which sparked his career in the title insurance profession.
“The ability to think creatively in applying general principles and specific guidelines are the essential skills for anyone who is in the profession,” stated Ron.
Ronald D. Wiley, Jr.
Underwriting Counsel, Old Republic Title
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Moving to the DC region in her 20's, Sheila began working in the mortgage department of a bank and later for a mortgage company. After learning the ins and outs of the mortgage process, she moved to work for a law firm as a settlement processor. As her skills developed, she provided title preparation services for other attorneys in her spare time. This part-time work quickly became more lucrative than her full-time job, leading Sheila to start her very own title services company - Title Write. Because of the breadth and volume of the business she was doing, and the growing experience in the field, she became a trusted advisor to her clients (usually attorneys with smaller title departments and/or limited title experience) of the nuances of the title process and industry. It's been a rewarding career both in building a strong business with a stellar reputation, and in the satisfaction of knowing she's helping homeowners secure their most important asset - their home!
Shelia Holt
President, Title Write
Shannon may have had it in her genes to work in real estate - she credits her mom who worked as a real estate agent for igniting her desire. After earning her law degree, she took her natural leadership ability and joined a title company.
"My career in title has allowed me to develop a wide variety of skills and talents from legal knowledge, management skills, sales and professional development," Shannon shared with VLTA's Workforce Development Taskforce.
Not only does she enjoy the constant ability to grown within the title industry, but also working alongside a great staff and within her community! If you have an interest in real estate and are passionate about great customer service, Shannon believes you could find the title industry a great fit for you, too!
Shannon McNair
VP, Operations & Compliance
Long and Foster Settlement Services
“Taking a course for credit towards early graduation from high school, Megan’s teacher arranged office-job interviews for everyone in the class - one of two interviews Megan went on would change her life. Old Republic saw her potential and put her in charge of data entry as a file clerk - back in the day when DOS was a thing! She chose a full-time career offering her more responsibility, experience and on-the-job training over going to college. From internal Agency Administration wearing multiple hats for 9 years, to Agency Representative for the last 15, Megan’s led a 23-year, exciting career! Her love of connecting with people and helping title agents be successful growing and maintaining a healthy business earned her the promotion to Assistant Vice President 8 years ago. Megan shared that a universal skill serving anyone well in this industry is being detail-oriented!”
Megan Meloon
AVP & Agency Representative at Old Republic National Title Insurance Company
As VLTA works hard to create opportunities for the next generation and attract new talent into the Title Industry, one way you can immediately help is by sharing your story - how you landed in this exciting industry and what skills it took to make you successful.