When Jeannette Black looks back at her real estate career, she can safely say that she has done it all. Ran her own real estate brokerage? Check! Provided continuing education for one of the largest and most respected real estate companies in the industry? Check! Served as a regional and national real estate trainer, and an adjunct faculty for the Texas Realtors University? Check, check and check!
Yet even with this enviable career defined by a wide range of roles, Black sees herself in straightforward terms. “Thing is, I was always a teacher,” she said. “By age 12, I was teaching other students at night what the teachers were not able to get across to them that day.”
Currently, Black is Alliant National’s Lead Texas Real Estate Instructor, and she uses her gifts to provide real estate agents with the information they need to execute for clients with speed, efficiency and confidence. In doing so, she delivers an important service to Alliant National’s agents and to the larger title and real estate communities.
Early days in real estate
Even though she has long identified as a teacher, it was not initially clear that education would become a cornerstone of Black’s professional life. “I was good at math so I thought accounting might be good; however, I was also interested in real estate.” Eventually, Black parlayed that interest into a full-on career. She obtained her real estate salesperson license in 1978, her broker’s license in 1980, started her own brokerage firm and then became a part of Coldwell Realty’s franchisee network after five years in operation.
It wasn’t long, however, before Black’s long-standing affinity for teaching, training and education reentered the picture. “There was not much in the way of education for real estate agents in 1980,” she said, “therefore, I read everything I could and went to every training I could find, which was mostly through the Texas Association of REALTORS®.”
Black then turned her attention to improving realtor education and training within her own firm. “I wrote my own training program for agents I hired,” she said. “In four years, we were out-performing brokers who had been in the business 20 to 30 years and had become number one in the marketplace.” Seeing these results was a powerful confirmation of Black’s long-standing belief that “knowledge and preparation hold the key to success.”
Embracing her role as an educator
As Black’s career progressed, so did her involvement in education and training, which made her realize something about herself. “I was good at selling real estate,” she reflected about that time. “Buyers and sellers trusted and respected me. I was innovative. However, I realized that my happiness was in assisting other agents and helping them be successful – not in my own individual success as a sales agent.”
Thankfully, she continued to find ample opportunities to pursue this passion and began to make an impact on a state and national level. People were taking notice of her success with realtor education. She was invited to teach other Coldwell Banker franchises in her geographical area and “also started training for the National Association of REALTORS® under REBAC.” Later, she worked as a trainer through the Texas Association of REALTORS®.
Black discovered other ways to contribute to realtor education during this period. She served as the Education Chairman for the local Board of REALTORS®, writing and giving the first orientation for folks wishing to join the association. Black would become a fixture of the organization, acting as Education Chairman 20 times over 38 years.
Although she enjoyed each of these positions, Black still had one last itch to scratch. She had long wanted to take on the challenge of being an instructor full-time. As chance would have it, just such an opportunity would come calling in 2012 in the form of Alliant National.
Putting agent education first at Alliant National
When Black learned that Alliant National was looking to hire a full-time instructor, she leapt at the opportunity. What made the role particularly attractive was that it coincided perfectly with her life circumstances at the time. “I had a longing in my heart for 20 years to be a full-time instructor,” she explained. “But with my real estate firm and children, traveling was not something I could take on.” Alliant National, Black continued, gave her “the opportunity to fulfill [her] dream at the age 66.” Originally, she thought she would only work at the company for a few years, but to her surprise, it blossomed into a second career.
Now 12 years on, Black considers joining Alliant National one of the best things she has done professionally, as the company’s employees “have become family to me.” She has also had the opportunity to play a direct role in shaping the underwriter’s Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) education program. “Back In 2012, we began to expand the number of classes offered by Alliant National, as well as the number of title agencies we served,” she explained. By 2018, Black herself was conducting hundreds of different classes, traveling far and wide throughout the state of Texas. Further developments occurred when COVID-19 struck in 2020. Black became heavily involved in migrating Alliant National’s education offerings online to ensure that agents could continue learning despite the shutdowns.
Along with other Alliant National employees, Black saw this shift as not just a temporary response to a world-wide health event, but part of the underwriter’s long-term educational goals. “We were working toward the goal of advancing real estate education at Alliant National.” The company needed an “all-inclusive website that included both on-demand or pre-recorded classes, as well as live, in-person classes.”
It was around this time that Alliant National Academy was established. The Academy represented a major commitment on the part of the underwriter to agent education. As Black explained: “The platform requires a team of personnel – made up of real estate instructors, technology staff and communication staff. In other words, staff to advertise and promote it, staff to run the system, staff to schedule instructors, not to mention the instructors themselves.”
These commitments have continued up to the present day, as the underwriter has steadily increased the technological capabilities of its education platforms and expanded its offerings to new agencies. “What we have done with the Alliant National Academy over the last three years has really advanced our educational program,” said Black. “We are embracing digital education, which has enhanced and will continue to enhance our visibility.”
For Black, however, the increased access and visibility afforded by the Alliant National Academy is just one way in which the platform is taking agent education to the next level. It also has improved the customer experience and streamlined access to a team of instructors that is second to none. When asked about this point, Black remarked, “Our instructors each have different strengths. One advantage of our program is that, instead of one specific instructor servicing a title agent, title professionals have the ability of using the entire team of instructors via our scheduling system. It is innovative, professional and convenient for title agents. They enjoy top-notch instructors and a wide variety of courses. I am proud and grateful to be a part of the team behind the Academy.”
Continuing to serve her community
After decades of being a real estate professional, educator and trainer, Black can look back on all she has accomplished with pride. From her early industry days to her Board of REALTORS® work, to her current role at Alliant National, she has made major contributions to the industry and to the company on a regional and national level. It is a testament to not only the power of education and training but also the impact someone can have when they are driven to serve.
Perhaps most amazing, however, is that childhood drive to teach remains undiminished. Even with nearly 50 years of experience under her belt, her passion to help others succeed is as strong as ever. “I love sharing my knowledge of the real estate business. It gives me a special feeling when I see that I have taught an agent something they did not know,” she said, commenting on what keeps her connected to her work. “I know that when I decide it is time for me to retire, it will be the saddest day of my life, but there will also be other opportunities for me to serve in my community.”
Alliant National’s NOC is the “nerve center” of everything agent-related across the company.
When trying to sum up the National Operations Center (NOC), Debra Coffie, SVP, Florida Regional Manager at Alliant National and National Operations Manager, perhaps said it best: “It is the hub for all information for Alliant National agents throughout the entire country.”
This is indeed an apt description for the NOC’s small but mighty team. As the nerve center for everything agent-related across the company, the NOC handles onboarding and licensing to compliance, ongoing maintenance and customer service. Simply put, Alliant National couldn’t do what it does without the NOC’s commitment and expertise. Here, we are excited to introduce you to the incredible group of people behind the NOC and showcase how they support the independent agent.
From all walks of life
Hailing from all walks of life, the folks who make up Alliant National’s NOC team each bring different experiences and expertise to the table. Let’s meet them one-by-one:
Debra Coffie: Debra’s experience in title insurance goes back over 30 years. She initially came to Alliant National in 2009 to open the organization’s Florida operations. Last year, she started managing the NOC as well, inheriting what she describes as an “amazing team.” “It has been a joy to lead them,” she said about this experience. “This is a team that knows exactly what they’re doing. I just let them do what they do best.”
Michelle Morgan: Michelle got her start in title insurance back in 1993 and learned the ins-and-outs of the business over the intervening decades. “First, I was busy with reception duties. And gradually, I learned how to put together a commitment, type policies, order payoffs and get a successful result,” she said. Michelle has been with Alliant National for six years. She considers it her “happy zone,” the “best place” and loves what she does.
Rachel Ryan: Rachel Ryan is also a seasoned title professional. “I’ve been in the industry for basically my entire life,” she said. Initially, Rachel got into title insurance via a relative, starting small with tasks like making copies. After meeting Debra, however, she moved into administration, which proved to be her calling: “I love helping agents and the other employees,” she said. “To me, it is a joy to help.”
Kiersten Balbin: Kiersten also got into title through her family, in this case her mother, and considers herself as having been “born into the industry.” She started working at Alliant National in its Florida regional operations, focusing on premiums and policies. Transitioning to the NOC has been a fun experience for her, not to mention a “great learning opportunity.”
Lori Liberatore: Lori entered title insurance more recently than Michelle and Rachel, taking on her first role back in 2010. She came to Alliant National in March of 2023, which she described warmly as her “forever landing place.”
Jenna Hall: Unlike many of her colleagues, Jenna joined Alliant National from another industry. Originally, she was working in a temporary role, but eventually moved into a permanent position upon Michelle’s request. Reflecting on her career, she stated that, although she initially “fell into” the role, she couldn’t be happier with the result. “I love helping out the people we work with in the different regions where we operate.”
United by a dedication to the independent agent
While each member of the NOC has a different backstory, they are all united by a shared dedication to the independent agent. “At the NOC, we love coming up with new ideas and new ways to be of service to our agents, customers and other people within the company,” said Debra. In practical terms, this means having a rock-solid commitment to supplying agents with answers when and where they need them. Michelle echoed this by comparing the NOC to “a detective team” that “works to get [agents] the right information.” She also mentioned that if “we don’t know, we will find out who does.”
The NOC focuses on helping agents deal with present-day concerns like state compliance issues; processing agency applications; and supporting audits, wind-downs and other significant events. Yet, as with the rest of Alliant National, they also help agents deal with how the industry is changing. “Fraud and cyberattacks are a growing problem with the industry,” said Michelle, outlining one example. “Alliant National has created a digital tool called SecureMyTransaction to help agents better identify potential wire fraud.”
Solutions like SecureMyTransaction are emblematic of the NOC’s and Alliant National’s larger approach to helping agents prepare for the future, which is being disrupted by technological innovation and other developments. “Today, there are things like AI and automation that are happening in the field,” said Debra. “At Alliant National, we can quickly respond to industry and customer needs. And I know our leadership all the way up to the CEO has their fingers on the pulse. We continually ask ourselves how we can embrace change, embrace technology and embrace the things that are coming. We aspire to stay true to who we are as a company, to our culture and to our agents, while always ensuring that our industry stays at the table.”
Heroes of the company
Given its obvious passion for the title industry and the professionals working within it, Alliant National’s NOC team is a big reason why the company has been so successful with this goal. Their ability to respond with speed, dexterity, efficiency and joy to agents’ ever-evolving needs has made the organization well-equipped to tackle the industry’s pressing concerns of both today and tomorrow. Moreover, it has fulfilled Coffie’s original vision for the team when she began leading them in 2023. “I told [the team] on day one that my goal for them was they would be heroes at the company. And that is exactly who they are.”
Chad Harmon’s commitment to seeing every day as a new opportunity inspires and elevates.
Chad Harmon remembers quite clearly what he thought when he first attended an Oklahoma Land Title Association (OLTA) conference: “This is an industry I want to be a part of.” As someone committed to continually improving himself and the world around him, Harmon recognized kindred spirits amongst the event’s attendees. His experience launched his career and recently led him to joining Alliant National as AVP, Agency Manager serving Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas.
Many people, when asked, struggle to sum up their personal and professional philosophies. Yet for Harmon, the answer is easy: “My goal is always to ‘make yesterday jealous.’” Harmon first heard this idea long ago from someone in his community, and it has continued to resonate with him throughout his life. “I always interpreted this as seeing every day as filled with new opportunities, and that by recognizing those opportunities, you will be better off than the day before.”
Harmon has long leveraged these principles in his interactions with others. As a self-described “social butterfly,” he notes that he often tries to “make yesterday jealous” by helping others. “It can be as simple as making a person smile in passing. You may have passed this person a million times before and never seen their smile.” Harmon explains that it can also be applied on a larger level. “I stay active in my community by serving and volunteering on several boards. I have helped these organizations expand and grow,” said Harmon. “As an executive officer on these boards, I have helped raise over $100K so far. I do not do these things for the recognition, but to help the organization be more sustainable and provide greater help for the community.”
His mantra has also served him well in his professional life, especially as technology has become more integrated into our day-to-day work. “Technology has made our lives and businesses better and more efficient, but also has caused challenges and errors along the way,” he noted. “We do better when we are working together diligently to resolve issues, while ensuring we still do it in a timely manner.”
Alliant National agents will benefit greatly from Harmon’s worldview as he settles into his new role. From his perspective, trying to “make yesterday jealous” will involve “being as transparent and honest with them as possible.” He will also aspire to “treat my agents as more than just a number or goal, but more like friends and family because ultimately that is who they are to me.”
Not everything always runs smoothly in the title insurance industry, particularly when complex transactions are in play. However, Alliant National agents will find reliable and trustworthy support by connecting with Chad Harmon, whose ability to leverage each new opportunity will improve their business outcomes day-after-day.
Florida, Pennsylvania and New Jersey are known as the “Sunshine,” “Keystone” and the “Garden” states respectively. They are each aptly named due to Florida’s perpetual rays, Pennsylvania’s colonial history and New Jersey’s lush orchards and farms. Within Alliant National, however, these states are known for something else: Each region offers incredible opportunities to empower the independent agent. Read how the underwriter is investing resources in both areas through two strategic hires, which will enhance its operations overall up and down America’s east coast.
Florida – A Rich Past and a Strong Future
Florida is one of those states that everyone knows even if you’ve never been there. Sprawling beaches. Delicious oranges. Disneyworld. The Everglades. At Alliant National, Florida is also well known, as it is one of the organization’s largest and oldest markets.
Alliant National started operating in Florida in 2009 and has seen stunning success over the last 15 years. Headed by SVP, Florida Regional Manager, Debra Coffie, and featuring underwriting leadership from Jeff Stein and Brenda Cannon, the company’s presence in the state has grown from a small shop to a sprawling network encompassing hundreds of agents. Despite these achievements, Alliant National is not resting on its laurels. “While we have experienced significant year-over-year growth,” said Coffie, “there is still ample potential to further impact in the market.”
Alliant National has seized this potential by continuing to invest in Florida, an important move given the state’s ever-increasing population and bustling real estate market. According to experts, Florida is one of the nation’s top relocation destinations. In late 2023, 4 of the top 10 cities for incoming residents were in Florida – including Orlando, Sarasota, Cape Coral and Tampa.[i]
Alliant National recently hired Rebecca Wood as Assistant Regional Counsel and VP to keep up with this demand and ensure that agents have adequate support. A long-time Floridian, legal professional and title insurance expert, few people are better equipped to take on this newly created role. Armed with three decades of experience, Wood is an industry authority and consummate professional. She is comfortable managing everything from analyzing legal details and risk assessments to interfacing directly with agents and claims professionals.
Alliant National Florida-based agents are undoubtedly in good hands with Wood joining the team.
Pennsylvania and New Jersey – High Growth and a New Frontier
From one perspective, Pennsylvania and New Jersey are the opposite of Florida. One area is often cool, while the other is hot. One is in Canada’s orbit, and the other borders the Gulf of Mexico. Yet at Alliant National, these seemingly unrelated regions share a common characteristic: thriving title communities with which to build partnerships and drive shared success.
Overseen by SVP, Central-West Regional Manager, Manoj Purohit, Alliant National has been active in Pennsylvania since 2022 and is aiming to expand due to encouraging market signs. While housing inventory and affordability remain low in much of the state, significant urban areas near its western border offer competitive price points that have attracted sizable numbers of aspiring home buyers. Pittsburgh and Erie in particular reported median listing prices in late 2023 far lower than the national average of $412,000 from that same period[ii] – making both metros major domestic migration destinations.
New Jersey is an entirely new market for Alliant National, although its decision to establish operations is fueled by a similarly optimistic market picture. The Federal Reserve announced in recent months, for example, that further interest rate increases are unlikely in the year ahead, causing mortgage costs to trend downward. On top of this, aspiring home buyers are flooding into the state from neighboring big cities like New York, increasing the potential for robust real estate demand.
Alliant National’s New Jersey operations will also be overseen by Purohit, who commented that both states area great opportunity waiting to be realized. “As it has across the country, Alliant National’s ‘agent only’ business model resonates deeply with independent agents in this region,” he said.
Alliant National’s hiring of Theresa Kane-Mackenzie is the most significant step it has taken in the region so far. With Kane-Mackenzie at the helm, the underwriter will develop its agency network and offer the type of uncommonly valuable help on which it has forged its reputation. “We expect to see strong growth and greater market share by bringing a proven industry veteran like Theresa on-board to head up our expansion efforts,” said Purohit.
Kane-Mackenzie’s vast expertise will be incredibly helpful in bringing this goal to fruition. Having built a respected, multi-decade career, Kane-Mackenzie has done it all. She has worked everywhere from national underwriters to title insurance technology providers. Her resume also includes experience in everything from underwriting and title production to marketing and continuing education. She is a one-stop shop that both current and future regional agents can leverage to improve processes and better serve customers.
Wherever you are, Alliant National is committed to you!
Alliant National has long invested in its greatest resource: its people. Recent steps in Florida, Pennsylvania and New Jersey reveal the depth of that commitment. The story of these two areas shows that Alliant National’s founding principles are alive and well in the present day. If you’re an independent agent, it doesn’t matter where you are or how long you’ve been with us, Alliant National is dedicated to ensuring that you always come first.
Alliant National’s Rae Jeanne Steele discusses the values that have defined her career.
Rae Jeanne Steele is no title industry newbie. Having built a successful career spanning several decades, she has a vivid perspective on how the field has changed over time. Yet Steele’s story also speaks to the age-old saying: “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” While technology, processes and workflows have shifted from year-to-year, Steele’s commitment to persistence, relationship-building and service have remained just as relevant as ever. These values are front and center in her work today at Alliant National.
Steele’s first exposure to the industry was in the 1980s when she started helping at her mother’s Texas-based real estate agency. Back then, the industry barely resembled what it is today. As Steele explains, “I can remember when we had an MLS book that was printed once a month. Nothing could be updated digitally the way it is now, and so, by the time you wanted to show a property, it might already be unavailable. Then there was the actual process of getting into a home, where you would have to call individual brokerage offices to schedule a showing and pick up the keys.” Over time, of course, technology started to change the industry. According to Steele, today “AI, mobile apps, smart home technology and digital lock boxes are all being used to streamline operations.”
Even amid such profound technological transformation, Steele’s approach to her work has remained remarkably consistent year-after-year. Many of her professional values originated from the period when she returned to working at her mother’s real estate agency in the mid-1990s, this time as a fully licensed agent. “My mom taught her realtors to have persistence when going after a goal,” said Steele. But that wasn’t all she learned back then. She also saw how much importance her mom placed on relationship building: “Following up. Building relationships. Keeping up with relationships. These are things I learned at a very young age from her.”
Other values that have grounded her over the years include having a spirit of service, and not just in her professional life. A long-time volunteer at her church, Steele and her family have frequently been involved in charity work, including scheduling, coordinating, cooking, and serving meals for hundreds of people as just one example.
Keeping these values close has served Steele well as she progressed in her career and eventually found her way to Alliant National in 2021. Persistence has been key, for instance, in her taking an active, intentional approach to expanding her industry knowledge and dealing with difficult professional moments. Instead of merely hoping to “live and learn,” for instance, she has chosen to rely on “education instead of merely experience to overcome challenges.” Her people skills have also been highly useful, particularly in achieving consensus around challenging topics with diverse parties: “I think one of the most surprising aspects of my job is the amount of time I spend explaining regulatory differences between real estate brokerages and title companies. There is a huge need to bridge that gap.”
As for the spirit of service that has long animated Steele’s life? Well, that is not just a feature of Alliant National but baked into its very foundation. “Alliant National is building a company where every agent can find a home,” she explained. She then noted how this requires serving agents’ needs by focusing on tangible business value. Steele dubs this approach as delivering “serious service based on sells” – that is, service that revolves around helping agencies gain advantage in real dollars and cents.
One way that Alliant National accomplishes this is through delivering topical educational resources through Alliant National Academy. Policy issuing agents of Alliant National have access to a growing catalogue of classes that focus not just on title insurance but also hot topics like leveraging AI for business gain. In addition, there are courses on how agents can nurture relationships with key stakeholders such as Realtors for mutual benefit. For Steele, offering these resources is not merely a competitive differentiator in the marketplace. It aligns perfectly with Alliant National’s overarching mission to empower agents, protect property owners and inspire innovation throughout the industry.
Our industry is always in flux, yet it’s timeless values like persistence and a commitment to service that provide our solid foundation. These are the principles that professionals like Rae Jeanne Steele bring to the forefront, equipping you with the unwavering support necessary to deliver the exceptional service your clients expect.
