Article by John Mashack
After coming up short in last year’s auction, I achieved victory this year and left Virginia Land Title Association’s 2025 Annual Convention at the Hilton Richmond Short Pump with the coveted VLTA Political Action Committee (PAC) trophy. During the auction, a rival bidder surpassed my initial proxy bid. And in my haste, I neglected to click the proxy bid option on my counter bid. My oversight turned into a modest windfall for the VLTA PAC in the form of additional funds donated to the PAC coffers, so I can’t be too upset.
Each year at the VLTA Annual Convention, the highest bidder of the auction for the VLTA PAC trophy wins the honor of holding on to it for the following year before returning it to auction again at the next Annual Convention. So, until October you might see the PAC trophy behind me on a future VLTA committee meeting.
Please visit the VLTA Political Action Committee website for more information on the VLTA PAC, including what it is, what it does, how it affects the title insurance industry, and how it benefits you as a member of the VLTA.
Click on the following links to read a VLTA Examiner Magazine article recognizing Frank McCormick, the inaugural VLTA PAC trophy winner in 2017, as well as articles written by Kathi Weaver and Becky Taylor, winners for 2023 and 2024 respectively. Below are the PAC trophy winners from 2017 to 2025. Perhaps your name will be added to this list as next year’s PAC trophy winner.
- 2017: Frank McCormick
- 2018: Frank McCormick
- 2019: Becky Taylor
- 2020: Becky Taylor
- 2021: Becky Taylor
- 2022: Tim Hooper, on behalf of Becky Taylor
- 2023: Kathi Weaver
- 2024: Becky Taylor
- 2025: John Mashack
I challenge you to outbid me at next year’s VLTA PAC trophy auction at VLTA’s 2026 Annual Convention at the Hotel Roanoke on 20 and 21 October. Perhaps I’ll see the PAC trophy proudly displayed behind you on a future VLTA committee meeting. I also encourage you to donate to the VLTA PAC today so that we are well prepared for the upcoming General Assembly session and beyond. Click on “Donate Now” at the bottom of the VLTA Political Action Committee website.
Finally, save the date for VLTA’s 2026 Advocacy Day event on 21 January at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond. For the first time this year VLTA is hosting a legislative reception on the evening of 20 January at the Omni Richmond Hotel. You will have the opportunity to meet and connect with industry partners, colleagues and elected officials at both Advocacy Day and the legislative reception. Here is the link to learn more and register for the 2026 Advocacy Day & Legislative Reception. I’ve registered for both events and hope to see you there!
John Mashack
John is Vice President of Loudoun Commercial Title, LLC and serves on the VLTA Board of Directors as Treasurer. John is Chair of the Examiner Committee and Editor in Chief of the Examiner Magazine.
