Scott Hendrickson leaves behind a growing company and an impressive legacy.
As a golfer, Scott Hendrickson has had two holes-in-one. But as a person, he actually had three. When Scott co-founded Alliant National more than 16 years ago, there was no way of knowing the venture would be successful, much less that it would be an ace that would grow into the leading independent underwriter for the independent agent.
Back in the mid-aughts, Scott was coming off three decades of experience in financial services and leadership, having held senior positions in diverse industries like insurance, manufacturing and distribution. Eager to begin a new stage in his professional life, Scott joined with fellow co-founders Dave Ginger and Bob Grubb to create Alliant National, a title insurance underwriter with the unique mission of empowering independent agents and never competing against them.
The Colorado-based company started as a small regional underwriter. Yet under the guidance and stewardship of Scott and other members of the leadership team, Alliant National soon took off. Today, the company serves thousands of title professionals as a national underwriter licensed in 30 states and the District of Columbia.
David Sinclair, who began working with Scott in 2011 and now serves as President and CEO of Alliant National, is first to speak about Scott’s invaluable contributions. “Alliant National simply would not be the company it is today without Scott,” he said, reflecting on the CFO’s tenure. “With his leadership abilities, financial acumen and keen insights into this specialized industry, Scott has helped lead us to the success we enjoy today. His influence can be seen in nearly every aspect of our business – from accounting, finance and human resources to our culture and how we work together. What we accomplish in the future will be the direct result of his legacy.”
Margaret Cook, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer of Alliant National, had this to say. “Scott is a consummate professional, an ethical, knowledgeable and incredibly talented executive who has played a fundamental role in shaping our company into a leading force in the title insurance industry. We’ll miss his practical insight, curious mind and dry sense of humor. We owe Scott a debt of gratitude for founding the company on his breadth of knowledge, practical guidance and attention to detail.”
As he exits the company he helped create, Scott himself reflected on his time with Alliant National, and on the many co-workers, clients and friends he met along the way. “When we started Alliant National way back in 2005, I had no idea how it was all going to turn out,” he said. “I knew at the time that we had terrific people in place, strong industry knowledge and a unique selling proposition that we thought would really resonate with people. I had no idea how the operation would grow and evolve, or that we would become such an important part of so many people’s lives.
“I guess, if anything, I just feel immensely grateful to have had this experience,” he added. “The people I’ve worked with over the past decade-and-a-half have been some of the best co-workers and title insurance professionals anyone can ask to work with. I have made connections that I’m sure will last the rest of my life, and I hope that through this work, I have made peoples’ lives a bit better. Title insurance isn’t the easiest industry for people to understand, but it enables ordinary people to build the lives they want with peace of mind. And I think that really matters in the end.”
For anyone who has worked with him, there is no doubt that Scott has made a major impact, and not only in creating a strong, vital company with a sizable presence across the country. As an executive, Scott has modeled poise, servant leadership and a commitment to excellence that one can only hope to encounter during their professional career. He leaves not only an admirable legacy within the organization at Alliant National, but on the entire title insurance industry.
“We started Alliant National with the hope of changing what a title insurance underwriter could be,” said Scott. “I am immensely proud of the operation we’ve built and that our mission to support independent agents remains at the heart of the Alliant National way. I wanted to leave the industry better than I found it. I certainly tried my very best.”
Rest assured Scott, you’ve accomplished what you set out to do. And as you take your last bow at Alliant National, we hope you can rest, recharge, and perhaps find it a bit easier to enjoy a round or two of golf. Considering your track record, we’re sure you have many more holes-in-one in your future.
Congratulations on your retirement, Scott. And thank you from everyone at Alliant National!
What can be said about Phyllis Mulder? Just ask a few people who have worked with her at Alliant National since she came on board in July 2006, and you’ll hear what seems like 10,000 glowing comments. To an outsider, the accolades may initially sound like nice talk – just something you say about an executive who retires after 14 years with the same company. But as members of the Alliant National family share their heartfelt and personal stories, you realize that it’s all true; you are learning about a woman who not only helped shape a company, but also the careers and lives of seemingly everyone with whom she has come into contact.
Phyllis Mulder joined Alliant National almost at the company’s inception. Dave Ginger introduced Phyllis in ’06 to his co-founders Bob Grubb and Scott Hendrickson. Once they met, no one ever looked back. Since those auspicious beginnings, Phyllis has served as Chief Legal Officer & Executive Vice President at Alliant National, served as President of the Texas Land Title Association, participated in many committees through TLTA and ALTA, and helped the company grow from a handful of agents in a handful of states, to a national organization that today operates in 25 states and supports more than 500 independent agents.
David Sinclair, Alliant National CEO, has worked with Phyllis since 2011. He says Phyllis has played an important role in the company’s transition from a small- to mid-sized title insurance underwriter to a widely respected and recognized industry leader. “Phyllis has been instrumental in the development of the Alliant National culture,” says Sinclair, “and she has allowed us to recruit and retain outstanding people.
“When discussing any issue, Phyllis listens deeply,” he adds. “Phyllis is calm, thoughtful, respectful and kind. She remains steady in the face of uncertainty and unflustered by the whims of others.”
That rock-steady presence is not lost on other colleagues. Margaret Cook, General Counsel & EVP of Alliant National, has worked alongside Phyllis since 2010. Phyllis and Margaret previously worked together for about four years in the early 2000s, and Phyllis recruited Margaret to Alliant National.
“Phyllis is the consummate professional,” says Cook. “She is intelligent, collaborative, humble, and consistent. She genuinely cares about others and brings out the best in them. My favorite part of working with Phyllis is how she empowers her co-workers to succeed and sincerely celebrates their successes.”
Cook shares her admiration for Phyllis’ skills as an attorney. “Phyllis is the calm in the storm when it comes to making legal decisions. She is a natural team player who instinctively values the ideas and suggestions of others. She applies her sharp, analytical mind to think through all angles of a problem, and develops a solution that works for all parties,” she says. “Phyllis is also a master of the English language and enjoys learning and sharing. One day, she came upon and circulated a case where the outcome hinged on the lack of an Oxford comma – to the delight of the serial comma proponents on the Legal Team.”
Alliant National co-founder and long-time colleague of Phyllis, Bob Grubb, gathered a number of comments from Phyllis’ colleagues to celebrate Phyllis’ retirement on a recent company call. Here are just a few of the accolades:
“Jean Bailey, Vice president and Regional Underwriting Counsel for the Southwest Region, said that, due to Phyllis’ deep understanding of the English language, when Alliant National issued a bulletin, it was meticulous, brilliant and the most carefully read bulletin in the industry.
“Brenda Cannon, Underwriting Counsel, Florida, said that when she was considering joining Alliant National, it meant a lot to her that the CLO was a woman, which is not at all common in the industry. ‘I felt an immediate connection with Phyllis.’”
And from Bob Grubb: “Her way of being is the single biggest factor in having Alliant National be so respected in the industry.”
Phyllis is an extraordinarily warm person and brilliant attorney. Forget for a minute that, in addition to being Chief Legal Officer at Alliant National, she also hikes, practices yoga, is an avid bird watcher, spends considerable time in national and state parks – and has run dozens of half-marathons. It’s her humanness that touches the hearts of her colleagues. “I’ll always remember the delight in Phyllis’ voice whenever her daughter called,” says Cook. “Of all of Phyllis’ accomplishments, it’s easy to tell that she’s most proud of being a mother and raising a beautiful, smart, and independent child.”
Likewise, Sinclair knows well the warmth and humanness that is Phyllis Mulder. “Phyllis is a balancing force,” says Sinclair. “One of my favorite parts of working with her is that, regardless of moods or mindsets, she is always available to listen and make a personal connection.
“Phyllis seeks to find the positive in literally everyone,” he adds. “She works with the information supplied and develops the very best product to meet the needs of others.”
But perhaps the most telling aspect of Phyllis leaving Alliant National after 14 years of service, is how Phyllis feels about exiting – and about her stewardship of Alliant National. “The biggest thing I will miss when I leave are the people who make up Alliant National,” she says. “That is what I will miss the most.
“What an honor it has been to work with individuals who are so caring, professional, honest, smart, fun,” she adds. “I have learned something valuable from each person I’ve worked with. I am grateful for the lessons, the mentoring, the laughs, and the help along the way.
“What a gift – throughout the last 14 years to be able to say, ‘I love my job – I love what I do – I love the people I work with,’” she says. “This has been an amazing learning and growing journey. I am proud of our company’s growth, which has resulted from helping others achieve their goals and objectives. How rewarding to work at a company focused on serving our agents, our people, our industry, and all of our stakeholders.”
The evidence shows that Alliant National returns the sentiment. Well done, Phyllis Mulder, Esq.
Jim leaves an impressive legacy that spans more than four decades in our industry.
It is with admiration and gratitude for a job well done that we announce the retirement of Jim Hensley, our Midwest regional agency manager. Jim has been transitioning toward retirement for several months, and his last day with Alliant National will be May 29th.
As he enters this new phase, Jim leaves an impressive legacy that spans more than four decades in our industry. When Jim joined our organization in 2013, his deep operations experience on both the agent and underwriter sides made him a crucial hire for Alliant National. We’ve seen tremendous success in the Midwest thanks to his efforts.
But we didn’t just gain an amazing title professional when we hired Jim Hensley; many of us gained a mentor and friend. When you talk to Jim, you always know you’re speaking with someone who lives a life of service to others. His faith, and his love for his family, his country and the people in our industry comes shining through.
In these months as Jim neared retirement, he worked tirelessly to ensure that Regional Manager Manoj Purohit and his team are well positioned to meet the needs of our agents moving forward. I am personally grateful for the time Jim has invested in our company and in teaching me about commitment to this industry.
The future is bright, but like us, we know many of you have come to rely on Jim, his straightforward honesty, and his uncommon ability to find the right words, even in difficult times. We all will miss him.
Feel free to join us in wishing Jim and his family a happy retirement!
One of the best things to ever happen to Alliant National Title was the addition of Lin Brasier as Regional Underwriting Counsel.
It is said that all good things must come to an end. BUT, in
some cases the “good things” coming to an end for one, may actually be the most
incredible thing for someone else. One of the best things to ever happen to
Alliant National Title was the addition of Lin Brasier as Regional Underwriting
Counsel. Lin’s vast knowledge base has been used by Alliant National title
agents for almost 6 years after 37 years with a national underwriter. When Lin
came to Alliant National, he promised that he would work for “two years.” That was almost 6 years ago.
As of March 31, 2020,
Lin will have the pleasure of joining his wonderful wife Carol, who has shared
him with the title industry for almost 5 decades, in deciding just what he is
going to do every day that doesn’t include title insurance. Yes, after a career
spanning more than 43 years, Lin Brasier, will be joining the ranks of those
who are called retired.
Thank you Mary Ann for your legacy of professionalism and support, you will be missed.
After more than 40 years in the
title business, Mary Ann Howard has made the decision to join the ranks of
those who get to wake up every day saying, “What am I going to do today?” Yes, she
is officially retired.
Mary Ann built a very successful
career by always being accessible, not only to her agents, but to anyone and
everyone in the industry who needed help.
