Article by Becky Taylor, VLTA President
Did you know that Virginia has 120 Clerks, and their Association is the Virginia Court Clerks Association (VCCA)? The Virginia Land Title Association initiated quarterly meetings with the President and President-Elect of the Virginia Court Clerks Association in 2017-2018. The VLTA Vision Statement is “To be the driving force in Virginia shaping the future of the title industry, championing innovation, fostering collaboration and empowering professionals to safeguard real estate transactions with unparalleled expertise and integrity.” The VLTA Mission Statement is, “To educate and advocate for the title industry and consumers, and promote collaboration across the industry and its partners.”
These quarterly meetings have continued and include the Immediate Past President, current President, President Elect and the Executive Director of VLTA. The Clerks Association attendees are the President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President and 3rd Vice President. These meetings are where the Clerks Association and VLTA bring concerns to each other’s attention for discussion and distribution to our respective memberships. VLTA resolves to continue fostering and promoting collaboration amongst industry partners such as the Clerks Association.
The now-VLTA Past Presidents, Stephanie Campbell and Mary Long, spoke at the Virginia Court Clerks Association Convention in 2018. Their topic of Electronic Recording was well received by the Clerks in attendance. Earlier this year, the VCCA asked VLTA to present at their Convention in late September 2025 in Bristol, VA at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The subject matter of the presentation will be Seller/Deed Fraud. Given that there is a legislative workgroup currently working on Seller/Deed Fraud and that the problem has become so prevalent in our world today, it was suggested that this is a timely topic for both associations. The legislative workgroup contains representatives from VLTA as well as from the VCCA and many other associations/organizations. This subject is further evidence of VLTA’s Vision to foster collaboration and its Mission to promote collaboration across the industry and its partners.
Becky Taylor began her employment with Titleworks Inc. on May 29, 1995 as a settlement processor and post closer. She quickly moved to take on more administrative responsibilities to become Vice President as well as keep an active role in the settlement process. She assumed the role of owner, CEO and President of Titleworks Inc. in 2006. She is a graduate of Clemson University, mother of a Washington & Lee University graduate, Virginia Notary Public, and as of February 2024 is now a grandmother and currently serves as President on the Board of Directors for the Virginia Land Title Association. In January 2024, Ms. Taylor and Titleworks Inc. merged with Cobalt Settlements, LLC and Attorney Jeff Nowak. Ms. Taylor is a Virginia Certified Title Settlement Agent (VCTSA), a Virginia Certified Title Examiner (VCTE), and an ALTA National Title Professional (NTP). Ms. Taylor has been a licensed title agent since August 25, 1995 and has over thirty (30) years of experience in real estate settlements.
A good topic for discussion should be the inconsistencies in indexing and not using abbreviations when indexing instruments.