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.
Kane-Mackenzie will help lead Alliant National’s operations in the region.
Longmont, CO — (January 16, 2024) — Alliant National Title Insurance Company, the title insurer that is uniquely responsive to the needs of independent agents, is pleased to announce the hiring of Theresa Kane-Mackenzie as AVP & State Agency Manager PA & NJ.
Kane-Mackenzie comes to Alliant National with over 25 years of experience in the real estate and title insurance industries. She has worked for companies ranging from national underwriters to providers of specialized technology solutions for title insurers. She also brings along vast expertise in underwriting, real estate technology, title production, continuing education and customer service. By pairing this industry knowledge with her person-centered approach throughout her career, Kane-Mackenzie has gained unique insight into the market and routinely delivered the best possible results for Pennsylvania and New Jersey title agents.
At Alliant National, Kane-Mackenzie will be at the helm of the company’s operations and expansion efforts throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. She will work collaboratively with policy-issuing agents to strengthen and streamline their procedures, processes, and workflows. She will also assist with business planning and continuing education initiatives. In keeping with Alliant National’s mission, Kane-Mackenzie will channel these activities toward empowering independent title agents to grow their businesses while increasing the company’s market share in the region.
“With her 25+ years of experience in both agency and vendor relations, Theresa is a tremendous addition to our regional agency team,” said Manoj Purohit, Senior Vice President, Great Lakes Regional Manager for Alliant National Title Insurance Company, in discussing her hiring. “She will be an integral part of our expansion into the Pennsylvania and New Jersey markets, and we are excited to have her at Alliant National.”
“It is a pleasure to join Alliant National as it grows its presence across Pennsylvania and New Jersey,” said Kane-Mackenzie. “Since it began operating in 2005, Alliant National has become the premier independent underwriter for the independent agent. I am looking forward to becoming part of this team of incredible title professionals and delivering business gains for our policy-issuing agents.”
Kane-Mackenzie is an active member of the Pennsylvania Land Title Association (PLTA). She has previously served on the board of several trade and philanthropic organizations. She currently lives in New Jersey with her family.
Alliant National supports its independent agents by combining expert residential and commercial underwriting with a passionate heart for service. The company delivers uncommon help that promotes the well-being of agents and the communities they serve.
Alliant National is on a mission to empower independent agents while protecting property owners with secure title insurance. The company partners with its agents and never competes against them with direct or affiliate operations. Alliant National serves thousands of title professionals as a licensed underwriter in 32 states and the District of Columbia.
After a rich career split between technology and title, Bob Grohol has a unique perspective on the title industry – particularly on digital trends reshaping the field.
Bob’s career path through these industries began in 1982 when he started working at a computer shop. This early professional interest stuck, and Bob would work in the field for the next 17 years, holding positions in computer technology, telecom and software.
His initial transition to title insurance came in the form of RamQuest Software – one of the industry’s main title and closing software solutions. At the time, RamQuest was looking to grow its Ohio business, and despite having no previous experience in the industry, Bob jumped at the chance, immersing himself in all things title. “Despite not knowing a HUD Settlement Statement from a hole in the ground at that time, I learned quickly,” said Bob. “And I continue to learn something new almost every day.” Bob eventually left RamQuest in 2009, transitioning back to the world of software for nearly four years. In 2012, he would make another career change back to real estate and title insurance – where he works to this day.
“In 2012, I was exploring options, and I reached out to Manoj Purohit, whom I’ve known for over 15 years,” said Bob. “Manoj referred me to eRecording Partners Network (ePN).” Similar to RamQuest, ePN was looking to expand in Ohio and the surrounding states, and Bob was a perfect fit. He tapped into existing title industry contacts and resources to grow business, and over time, he became responsible for operations in about 26 states.
Working at ePN gave Bob particular insight into a mission-critical process of the title industry. “Document recording is one of the final steps in the real estate transaction process. The quicker a title agent can get documents recorded, the quicker the final policies can be issued – lessening gap time,” he explained. “Traditional paper document recording can potentially take days or weeks to happen. Plus, it’s possible for documents to be lost, damaged or altered.” By digitizing this process, title agents gain new efficiencies and competitive advantage. “Documents can potentially be eRecorded in minutes, and most, within a couple of hours. With eRecording, documents can’t be lost or damaged. It is also more secure in many ways,” Bob said.
eRecording is an example of digital transformation: a gradual shift from manual or analog processes to digital ones. From Bob’s perspective, while it has taken time for eRecording to develop, it is now fully mainstream, indicative of an industry that is slowly but surely adopting new technologies. “It has taken over 20 years to get where we are today. Almost 2,500 counties are set up for eRecording across 49 states, plus D.C.,” Bob noted.
Of course, while technology may be transforming the field, other elements that make it special or determine one’s success in it have largely remained the same. “To me, the title industry has always felt like a big family. People do move around from time to time – to new companies and roles – but a lot of the same great people are still around,” Bob said. “I enjoy the ‘camaraderie’ between all of those involved with the title insurance business: agents, vendors, underwriters, etc. Everyone is about helping others fulfill the ‘American Dream’ of home ownership. To be successful, follow-up and follow-through are very key. Whether it’s with agents, internal team members or just in general, always do what you say you’re going to do.”
Alliant National Announces the Hiring of Bob Grohol as Assistant Vice President and State Manager of Ohio, Pennsylvania and Michigan.
Longmont, Colo. – (May 27, 2021) – Alliant National Title Insurance Company, a unique title insurance underwriter that partners with independent agents to improve their competitive position, announces the hiring of Bob Grohol to the position of Assistant Vice President (AVP) and State Manager of Ohio, Pennsylvania and Michigan.
Grohol is a knowledgeable, passionate and highly skilled professional, with deep ties to the real estate and title insurance fields that go back nearly 25 years. His extensive career has included positions with various technology firms, where he worked to equip title insurance companies with valuable solutions, such as eRecording services.
During this work, Grohol became involved with many land, title, legal, underwriter, county recorder and register of deed associations across 20 states, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the industry in the process. One such association is the Ohio Land Title Association (OLTA), where Grohol served as Chair of the OLTA’s Technology Committee for several years. He also authored several articles for OLTA’s Title Topics publication, as well as other association publications.
Grohol’s past experiences will serve him well at Alliant National, where he will be responsible for signing, developing, marketing and managing Alliant National’s policy issuing agents, as well as helping them achieve strong business growth.
“I’m very excited to join Alliant National and contribute my experience and knowledge to its mission,” said Grohol. “The team at Alliant National is second to none, and I am looking forward to working alongside every one of them.”
“Bob brings decades of experience to Alliant National, and he will be an incredible asset in supporting and growing our network of independent agents,” said Manoj Purohit, Senior Vice President, Central-West Regional Manager. “I’ve personally known him for years, and I continue to be impressed with his passion and knowledge of our industry. Bob will undoubtedly serve as a valuable resource for our agents and our company as we navigate the unique landscape ahead.”
Outside of his professional life, Grohol is a karaoke and cooking aficionado. He is also the proud father of a daughter who recently graduated from college and is preparing to embark on new adventures.
Alliant National distinguishes itself from competitors by combining strong underwriting capability with independent agents’ in-depth knowledge of local markets. The result is a nationwide network with deep roots in local communities, and a wealth of expertise that is flexible, nuanced, and continuously growing.
Cathie Beck Capital City Public Relation e: cathie@capitalcitypr.com p: 303-241-0805
ABOUT ALLIANT NATIONAL TITLE INSURANCE COMPANY
The Independent Underwriter for The Independent AgentSM – Alliant National believes in empowering people to thrive. The company protects the dreams of property owners with secure title insurance and partners with 500+ trusted independent title agents as a licensed underwriter in 27 states and the District of Columbia.
