Name: Terri Stitzer, VCTE
Company: Great American Title Insurance Agency
Current Position at Company: Title Examiner
Prior Company & Job Title: DTS Titles, Inc. as Owner/President, Title Agent and Title Examiner.
Prior or Current Role(s) within VLTA: VLTA Examiner Magazine Editorial Board Member, Member on the VLTA Education Committee; VCTE Title Examiner Study Book Revision Committee Member.
Years Active with VLTA: I have been an active member of the VLTA for over 8 years.
Awards received from VLTA: I received the VLTA Volunteer of the Year Award
Tell us a little about yourself: I am a mother of 3 and a grandmother of 4. I am married and my husband Dennis is also a Title Examiner, which makes it fun to talk titles. I have 2 chickens and 2 rescue dogs. I am a Master Gardener and I also love to swim and bike.
How did you get involved in the title industry? I started out as a runner for Hank Godwin at LTIC back in the old days. I became his receptionist and learned how to type policies. I then changed jobs and learned how to underwrite residential and commercial properties and later to underwrite new construction. Then I learned how to search titles and became a Title Examiner… the rest is history.
What is new for you in the title industry? After 18 years in my own business, I am now a Full-Time employee at a top Title Company and I love it!
What does your average work day look like? Busy! I am analyzing Deeds, Wills and anything else pertaining to a complete Title Search.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your job? Solving “Puzzle” Titles and making sure Homeowners can rest easy that they have a “Good” Title.
What are your biggest professional challenges? I really don’t have any after switching from being an independent Title Examiner to working for a Title Company.
What inspires you? The team that I work with. From day one, I have been impressed by the thoroughness of the entire transaction and the expertise.
How did you get involved with VLTA? Past VLTA President, Deborah Allen, encouraged me to get involved as a volunteer after attending many VLTA functions.
What benefits does VLTA give you professionally and personally? EDUCATION!! The VLTA has also been a great marketing tool for my career and a great way to see familiar faces who have been in the industry a long time as well.
What do you predict for the industry for 2019? The focus will be more on commercial/multi-unit properties with the rising popularity of “live and work” communities.
What is your motto or personal mantra? Do the right thing, for the right reason, with the right attitude.
