Kingwood, Texas (December 3, 2013) – Tom E. Blackwell announced the opening of Great American Title Company’s newest escrow branch location in Kingwood, a 14,000 acre master-planned community located in northeast Houston, Texas. The majority of the community is located in Harris County with a small portion in Montgomery County. Known as the “Livable Forest,” it is the largest master-planned community in Harris County and second-largest within the 10-county Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area.  Mr. Blackwell went on to say that “I am extremely impressed with the escrow closing talent that we have hired to staff this office”.  The closing team includes a number of veterans from the East and Northeast Houston markets. (Kingwood, Atascocita, Humble Huffman, and surrounding areas)

Natalie Stephens, Branch Manager/ Escrow Officer

Natalie has been closing in the east and northeast markets for 20+ years and one of her clients recently said this about her “Natalie has been closing files for me for over 20 years. I find her to be extremely proficient in all aspects of the title business. She will accommodate my clients as needed, such as to stay later to close or come in early to make it convenient for their schedule. She explains costs in a manner that the client understands and is patient to be sure they are satisfied. The office is very well maintained and all employees are courteous to the agents and their clients. I do all of my closings with Natalie.”

Jeremy Ragsdale, Business Development

Jeremy comes to the title industry via the food industry.  He worked with the management team at the Laundry’s Restaurants for nine years, and was primarily responsible for everyday operations of the highest volume location in concept with more than $6 million in sales in 2012. He managed payroll, computer systems, inventory, cost control, and receivables as well as managing five Junior Manager and 75+ employees.  Jeremy handled vendor relations to ensure timely delivery and quality product, and was able to cultivate a long-term, high-performing team of employees through development and engagement initiatives.

Samantha Orbison, Escrow Officer

Samantha is another long time closer from the East and Northeast markets.  She began her career with one of the largest national title insurance underwriters in the United States, honing her closing skills and underwriting talents over the past 10 years before joining Great American Title Company.

Assisting the Kingwood Escrow Officer teams are two escrow assistants, Ashley Terwilliger and Katie Kelley.   The new office is located at 20121 W. Lake Houston Parkway, Suite 100, Humble, Texas 77346.  The office phone number is 281.359.6600.

Great American Title Company is one of the largest title insurance agencies in the Houston metroplex with its corporate offices located in Spring, Texas. Great American Title Company has 10 branch locations and is currently licensed in Harris, Montgomery, Fort Bend, Brazoria and Galveston Counties in Texas.

Spring, Texas – Tom E. Blackwell, President and Peggy Godail, Branch Manager, proudly announced today two new escrow officers, an escrow assistant and a new business development sales executive in its Cypresswood/Champions location.

DeeDee Freeman, Cypresswood Branch Escrow Officer, comes to us with 15 years of experience.  She started in the title industry with a major title company in 1997 as receptionist, working her way up to escrow officer in 2000.  She takes pride in what she does and enjoys working closely with her clients.  No closing is too big or too small; she handles them all equally.  DeeDee lives in the Cypress area, where she grew up and is a mom to two grown children.  Her son is a submariner, serving in the US Navy, stationed in Hawaii, and she has a daughter who is a proud new mom and a preschool teacher.   DeeDee loves spending her free time with her family and loves spoiling her grandson.

Sandy Davis, Escrow Officer/Assistant, has nearly 12 years escrow experience. She worked with title companies, as an Escrow Officer, in Arizona, Oregon and most recently in the beautiful State of Texas.  She has worked very hard to gain the respect of clients and handles all transactions with great detail and enjoys working with clients to give them a smooth experience. She attends Woodsedge Community Church with her family.  She has a two wonderful children and a husband.

Kelley Hopper, Business Development Cypresswood, entered the title industry in 2006, but has been in the real estate industry since 2003. Her creative thinking and cooperative attitude enables us to achieve our marketing and above and beyond customer service objective. Kelley is a native Houstonian, living in the Kingwood/Humble area since 1983. She is a graduate of Kingwood High School’s class of 2001 where she played soccer and ran cross country. She was also a member of the South Texas Olympic Development Program Soccer Team. Kelley went on to attend college at Texas Tech University where she studied Public Relations and Advertising. Kelley attends Kingwood United Methodist Church and currently resides in Atascocita with her husband, Landon.

Great American Title Company is one of the largest title insurance agencies in the Houston metroplex with its corporate offices located in Spring, Texas. Great American Title Company has 10 branch locations and is currently licensed in Harris, Montgomery, Fort Bend, Brazoria and Galveston Counties in Texas.

Houston – Great American Title Company helped sponsor this year’s 2012 Wreaths Across America held on December 15^th at the Houston National Cemetery.  The Wreaths Across America story began over 15 years ago when Worcester Wreath Company (a for-profit commercial business from Harrington, Maine) began a tradition of placing wreaths on the headstones of our Nation’s fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery.

Over the years, Worcester Wreath has donated over 75,000 wreaths which were placed by volunteers in a wreath laying ceremony each December.

The Houston connection and how Wreaths Across America – Houston came to be:

In 2007, our Director and his son were looking at a video about the Arlington wreath laying and commenting on the event here at the Houston National Cemetery. They placed their order for wreaths and called the cemetery to see when they could place them. They then found out that the Houston National Cemetery does not receive the live wreaths for all burial sites, due to lack of funding.

The cemetery does receive seven wreaths (each representing one of the branches of service and the MIA/POW’s) as all other National Cemeteries do. The ceremony is held to place seven wreaths in the front of the National Cemetery.

The son, perplexed by this claimed “that’s not fair” and later in the day simply stated “let’s go get some wreaths.” This was the beginning of a goal for not only one boy and his dad, but also family, friends and volunteers.

Now four years later, there is an entire city behind the event.

Houston showed the Nation how we honor our fallen soldiers, by placing a wreath on 37,000+ grave sites at the Houston National Cemetery.

Great American Title Company is one of the largest title insurance agencies in the Houston metroplex with its corporate offices located in Spring, Texas. Great American Title Company has 10 branch locations and is currently licensed in Harris, Montgomery, Fort Bend, Brazoria and Galveston Counties in Texas

Dallas, Texas – Jason Bragg, Senior Vice President and Texas Agency Manager for Title Resources Guaranty Company, announced today that Great American Title Company had executed an underwriting agreement with TRGC. Jason indicated “That he looked forward to working with one of the premier title agencies in the Houston market and went on to say that the new underwriting relationship should strengthen both companies’ economic positions in Texas.” Tom E. Blackwell, President of Great American Title Company, said that “TRGC has been a solid player in the Texas market and was delighted to have the opportunity to work with their underwriting counsel and sales associates.” Title Resources Guaranty Company has Capital & Surplus in excess of $14,152,270.

Great American Title Company is one of the largest title insurance agencies in the Houston metroplex with its corporate offices located in Spring, Texas. Great American Title Company has 10 branch locations and is currently licensed in Harris, Montgomery, Fort Bend, Brazoria and Galveston Counties in Texas.

Galveston, Tx – First American Title Insurance Company on Saturday, October 6, 2012 at the Moody Gardens Convention Center recognized Great American Title Company as its Distinguished Agent for 2012. “The Distinguished Agent award is not based on company revenue or remittances but rather on timely policy issuance from date of closing, timely remittance of agent’s policies to the underwriter, timely payment of underwriting invoices and a low percentage index of claims versus remittances” per Mark Greek, State Agency Manager for First American. Steve Mercer, Agency Representative for First American, indicated that “Great American had excelled in all the major criteria areas considered.” Mark Greek and Steve Mercer from First American presented the award to Tom Blackwell, President of Great American Title, at their Awards Breakfast.

Great American Title Company is one of the largest title insurance agencies in the Houston metroplex with its corporate offices located in Spring, Texas. Great American Title Company has 10 branch locations and is currently licensed in Harris, Montgomery, Fort Bend, Brazoria and Galveston Counties in Texas.

Houston, Texas – The Houston Business Journal released its FAST 100 (Fastest-growing private companies in Houston) in its September 7-13, 2012 issue and Great American Title Company was once again named as one of the fastest growing privately owned companies in Houston. Great American Title had revenue growth of 78.96% between 2009 and 2011. Mark Basile, Executive Vice President, indicated “We are delighted to be honored two years in a row by the Houston Business Journal. We believe we are the fastest growing title insurance agency in Houston because of our great people. Our staff is chalked full of title veterans.”

Great American Title Company is one of the largest title insurance agencies in the Houston metroplex with its corporate offices located in Spring, Texas. Great American Title Company has 10 branch locations and is currently licensed in Harris, Montgomery, Fort Bend, Brazoria and Galveston Counties in Texas.

Spring, Texas - Tom E. Blackwell, President, announced that Great American Title Company and Chicago Title Insurance Company had entered an underwriting agreement that would give GATCO four of the five largest title insurance underwriters in America. Mr. Blackwell indicated that Chicago Title Insurance Company had statuary premium reserves of $651,317,847. He was quoted as saying “I appreciate the opportunity Chicago has afforded us. They are a great underwriter with a lot of financial and technical resources. We believe that our association with them enhances our creditability in the market place.” Chicago Title is a subsidiary of the Fidelity National Title Group.

Great American Title Company is one of the largest title insurance agencies in the Houston metroplex with its corporate offices located in Spring, Texas. Great American Title Company has 10 branch locations and is currently licensed in Harris, Montgomery, Fort Bend, Brazoria and Galveston Counties in Texas.

Spring – Tom E. Blackwell, President of Great American Title Company, announced that the company will be moving its Champions/Cypresswood branch office from its existing location at 6925 Cypresswood, Suite A to 6405 Cypresswood, Suite 280, Spring, Texas on August 4, 2012. Tom was quoted as saying “We are really excited about our successful lease negotiations with the Betz Companies of Houston. Our new location is only about one mile east of our current location and will provide plenty of easy in and out parking for our valued customers.” The new space will accommodate 2 additional escrow office teams in addition to the 4 teams they have currently.

Great American Title Company is one of the largest title insurance agencies in the Houston metroplex with its corporate offices located in Spring, Texas. Great American Title Company has 10 branch locations and is currently licensed in Harris, Montgomery, Fort Bend, Brazoria and Galveston Counties in Texas.

Spring, Texas – Tom E. Blackwell, President of Great American Title Company, announced today the association of the following Escrow Officers to their company.

Tricia Uzzle veteran escrow officer with over 20 years of title and escrow experience at a national underwriter has joined Great American’s 290/Cypress Branch. In addition to Tricia, Mayha Nieznay and Jorie Bailey have joined the branch as Escrow Officers. Mayha joined GATCO after working the last 5 years as an escrow officer at a national underwriter. Jorie was recently promoted to the escrow officer position after serving the company as an escrow assistant for the past 4 years.

Misty Ivey has joined Great American Title’s Clearlake Branch location. Misty comes to Great American with over 12 years of title and escrow experience. Misty has worked with two of the largest underwriters in the U.S. prior to moving to GATCO.

Jennifer Lofton joined Great American’s Cypresswood Branch office as Escrow Officer in December of 2011. Jennifer comes to Great American with over 15 years title and escrow closing experience. Prior to her association with GATCO she was an escrow officer with a national underwriter.

Spring, Texas – Tom E. Blackwell, President of Great American Title Company, announced that the Houston Business Journal named Great American Title Company as one of the 2011 Top 10 Largest Title Companies, based on closings, in the Houston metroplex in their April 13-19, 2012 issue. Blackwell indicated “It is an honor to be recognized by the HBJ but it is our customers and employees that make us who we are. I sincerely appreciate their loyalty.”

Great American Title’s corporate offices are located in Spring, Texas. Great American Title Company has 10 branch locations in the Houston metropolitan market and is licensed in Harris, Montgomery, Fort Bend, Brazoria and Galveston Counties in Texas.

Spring, Texas – Tom E. Blackwell, President of Great American Title Company announced today the addition to their administrative staff. Ms. Vickie Johnston, former County Manager for a national underwriter located in Houston, and underwriting counsel will be joining the company beginning April 1, 2012. Tom was quoted as saying “Vickie is a great addition to our staff. Her underwriting background coupled with her years of operations’ management will assist us in providing higher levels of quality service throughout the Houston market place.”

Great American Title’s corporate offices are located in Spring, Texas. Great American Title Company has 10 branch locations in the Houston metropolitan market and is licensed in Harris, Montgomery, Fort Bend, Brazoria and Galveston Counties in Texas.

SPRING, TEXAS – Tom E. Blackwell, President of Great American Title Company, today announced the opening of its newest branch office located in the Galleria market place. The new branch office is located at 1455 West Loop South, Suite 100 in Houston’s prestigious Galleria market area. Tom stated “I am delighted with our recent growth in this market. We just recently targeted this market area and have already grown out of our existing office space. The Galleria market is quite dynamic and we look forward to being a part of its growth.”

Great American Title’s corporate offices are located in Spring, Texas. Great American Title Company has 10 branch locations in the Houston metropolitan market and are licensed in Harris, Montgomery, Fort Bend, Brazoria and Galveston Counties.

Houston, Texas – “The Houston Business Journal on Friday, September 23, 2011 revealed its 2011 Fast 100 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the Houston area at a luncheon at the Hilton Americas.”

Twenty-eight companies on the list had more than 100 percent growth during the two-year period. Seven companies on the list had more than $100 million in revenue in 2010.”

Tom E Blackwell, President was quoted as saying “Great American Title Company is delighted to be recognized not only as a Fast 100 Company for 2011 but also as one of the 10 fastest growing companies in the Houston metroplex.”

Other companies in the Top 10 included ClearCorrect, LLC, Xcution, Inc, Technology Support, Inc, Centre Technologies, The Ticket Experience, LLC CHR Solutions, Inc, Drive West Communications and ServerSide Design.com.

Houston- “Despite the economic downturn many Houston-area companies were able to survive, even thrive in the past few years. The Houston Business Journal has compiled a list of the fastest-growing private companies based in Houston, and ranked them by percentage of revenue growth from 2007 to 2009. “ Great American Title Company was amongst the honorees in their top 100 list. A special section honoring these companies will be published in their September 23rd publication.

SPRING, TX – Tom E. Blackwell, President and Mark E. Basile, Executive Vice President announced on August 15, 2011 that Great American Title was opening their 9th branch office in the Houston metro area. The new Lender Services branch will be located at 5910 FM 2920 in Spring, Texas. Mark E Basile indicated “This is an outstanding opportunity for us. The lender market is very strong right now and this branch will be focusing 100% of their attention on our lender clients.” The branch will be managed by Ms. Tammy Smart.

Great American Title Company is a locally owned and operated title insurance agency with 100+ years of underwriting and escrow closing experience. Great American was recently named one of the Largest Title Companies in Houston by the Houston Business Journal.