Great American Title is blessed with a highly experienced staff of escrow and underwriting personnel. Mark Basile, Executive Vice President and Tom Blackwell, President have over 80 combined years of title and escrow experience. Many of their years in the industry were spent with one of the largest national title insurance underwriters in America. This experience has enabled them to see just about every type of commercial transaction imaginable. This is an area of the business where experience truly counts!
Donna Barrett, Business Development/Lender/Commercial Division, entered the title industry in 1993 as a Sales Representative with a leading National Title Underwriter. Her role in Team1960 Branch prompted growth from (4) four to twenty seven (27) employees. It became the company’s only multi-million dollar profit center in Houston. Donna was awarded President’s Circle, 1993 thru 2000 and Hall of Fame 2001 thru 2006. In 2005 with contributions to her profession, organization and community, Donna was named “Woman of Excellence” of NW Houston Business and Professional Women for the Federation of Houston Professional Women. In 2007 Donna accepted a position with Great American Title where her growing list of credits includes a $22 Million transaction. She serves on the Boards of Woman, Inc. and NW Houston Business and Professional Women. Additional involvements are Race for the Cure, Make-A-Wish Foundation and Designing Divas with the Houston Furniture Bank providing home decor for Survivors of Domestic Violence. A proud Mom of three, Grandmother of two granddaughters, Donna is a member of Fellowship of the Woodlands Church and resides in Spring.
Dena Bean, Business Development Lender/Commercial Division, entered the real estate industry in 1999, developing & implementing the Builder Marketing Program for Ronnie & Cathy Matthews, RE/MAX Legends. Dena marketed the real estate services of RE/MAX Legends to builders throughout the greater Houston area. By 2006, Dena’s department had expanded to five (5) professional marketing team members, all of whom were responsible for handling aspects of builder home sales. Dena’s active role in the department helped contribute to hundreds of new home closings per year. In 2006, RE/MAX Legends was ranked #1 RE/MAX team in the world. Dena is active in many local charities including Northwest Assistance Ministries and CareNet Pregnancy Center. She has raised four children, attends Champion Forest Baptist Church, and currently resides in Montgomery with her husband, John.
Tara Maldonado, Galleria Office Branch Manager, entered the real estate industry in 2001, working with a commercial real estate development company and soon thereafter began working in a commercial fee attorney title office. Since then she has gained over nine years of closing experience in the title industry, including commercial real estate, tenant-in-common sales and acquisitions, residential sales and refinances, leasehold estate acquisitions, multi-family real estate, construction loans and 1031 exchange transactions. As an example of her extensive commercial closing experience, she was one of three people to close a 300 million dollar transaction involving a portfolio of ten properties and approximately 180 tenant-in-common sellers. Her responsibilities as a branch manager and escrow officer are complimented by her attention to detail and computer knowledge and proficiency. Her positive attitude and dedication to her customers and coworkers make her a key member of the Great American team. Tara currently serves on the Board of Directors for Restoring Lives International, a charity with a focus on supporting orphans and widows. She has two children and currently resides in Harris County with her husband, Tommy.
Peggy Godail, Cypresswood Office Branch Manager, entered the title industry in 1986. Working with a major title company and attorney’s office located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, she gained a wealth of knowledge of the total closing experience. Relocating to Texas in 2001 offered an opportunity to join a leading National Title Insurance Underwriter as an escrow officer/closer. In 2006 she accepted a position with Great American Title as Branch Manager of the “Cypresswood Team”. With 25 years of closing experience encompassing commercial, residential and refinance transactions, Peggy’s extensive lists of closing credits include numerous multi- million dollar transactions including one for $22 million. Detail oriented, with exceptional people skills, her clients feel confident and at ease affording them a pleasant experience throughout their transactions from opening title to their closings. A proud mom of two boys, she plays an active role in support of their academic and sports activities and spends most of her free time as their #1 fan on the baseball fields. She attends Fellowship of The Woodlands Church and currently resides in The Woodlands with her husband, Jimmy.
