Longmont, CO — (October 16, 2024) — Alliant National Title Insurance Company, the title insurer that is uniquely responsive to the needs of independent agents, is excited to announce that it has hired Valerie Grandin as Vice President, Senior Underwriting Counsel Florida.
Grandin brings with her a wealth of experience in title insurance, real estate, management and business strategy. She comes to Alliant National from a national underwriter, where she oversaw strategic initiatives, served as the primary point of contact for lender agreements, created agent and counsel training programs and coordinated regulatory compliance projects. In addition, she helped agents expand their capabilities and grow their businesses, while also leading continuing education programs for underwriters and examiners.
In her new role as Vice President, Senior Underwriting Counsel Florida, Grandin will have a full slate of responsibilities. Chief among them will be to develop educational programming and partner with Alliant National’s Florida agents to increase their market share through unique business development strategies and product offerings.
“I have been blessed to work with and know the team at Alliant National for many years,” said Grandin. “To be joining them now as the market is on the cusp of expansion and when Alliant National has assembled a great team, is a dream come true. Highly professional, agent focused and people-centric, it is a tremendous place to excel in an industry I love so much. Great things are ahead as we work together with our agents to drive greater business success.”
“Valerie is a consummate professional and a true industry leader. We couldn’t be happier to welcome her to our growing team,” said Jeff Stein, Chief Underwriting Counsel at Alliant National. “With her extensive experience in underwriting, education, management, compliance and business development, I know she will do great things for our agents and play an important role in the future of Alliant National.”
Grandin is an active member of the American Land Title Association (ALTA). She is also a member of the Florida Land Title Association (FLTA), where she serves on the Government Affairs committee, which is currently working on the new 2025 FinCEN rule. In addition, she sits on the Advisory Board of the University of Miami School of Law LLM in Real Property Development. As the only underwriting counsel on the board, she has a front row seat to the most cutting-edge changes and developments in the Florida commercial real estate market.
She received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami School of Law.
Westmoreland joins the team as Underwriting Counsel for the Southwest Region.
Alliant National is excited to announce Jamie Westmoreland has been hired as Underwriting Counsel for the Southwest Region. With extensive experience in the title insurance industry stretching back well over a decade, Westmoreland is a valuable addition to the team. She will play a pivotal role in supporting Alliant National’s independent agents and underwriting operations.
Westmoreland’s title insurance career began shortly after earning her Juris Doctorate from the South Texas College of Law. She worked for 10 years as an examiner and attorney for an independent agency. Later, she transitioned to a national underwriter, where she served as underwriting counsel for two years. These experiences afforded her strong knowledge in underwriting and agency operations, making her an ideal fit for Alliant National’s “agents first” approach.
“I could not be more excited to join the Alliant National family and help our agents be as successful as they can be!” said Westmoreland when discussing her hiring. Jean E. Bailey, Vice President, Southwest Regional Underwriting Counsel, echoed that sentiment. “We are excited for Jamie to join our Southwest Underwriting Team! Her experience will allow her to jump right in with assisting our agents. I know she will be a great fit with the team.”
In this new role, Westmoreland will work closely with agents, providing them with education, answering questions and offering guidance on complex title insurance issues. Additionally, she will focus on risk analysis to assess title insurability and develop helpful insurance standards and guidelines.
Dowling will provide underwriting support to the company’s agents throughout the Central West region.
Longmont, CO — (April 11, 2024) — Alliant National Title Insurance Company, the title insurer that is uniquely responsive to the needs of independent agents, is excited to welcome Brianna Dowling as Underwriting Counsel serving Colorado, Utah, Nevada and Arizona.
Dowling comes to Alliant National after a long career in title insurance. Previously, she served as General Counsel for a large, privately held title insurance agency. She managed a team of six in this position. She was also responsible for continuing education, consulting on regulatory matters and offering comprehensive transactional support both pre- and post-closing. Dowling simultaneously worked as General Counsel for a small underwriter that insured properties exclusively within Colorado. Additionally, she developed extensive policy claims experience earlier in her career by working in two large title insurers, where she handled claims throughout the western U.S.
At Alliant National, Dowling will provide reliable and responsive underwriting support for Colorado and Utah agents. She will be responsible for addressing agent concerns, streamlining closings and making strategic, data-driven decisions on whether titles can be insured.
“I am excited that Brianna is joining our underwriting team. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that gives her unique insight into the perspective of the independent agents we serve,” said Jeff Stein, Chief Underwriting Counsel and Senior Vice President for Alliant National Title Insurance Company. “Her background and skills will be invaluable for our agents who rely on fast and dependable underwriting responses so they can close transactions and insure titles with Alliant National.”
When asked about her hiring, Dowling noted, “Alliant National has a great reputation in the industry, and my experience confirms that the team here is top notch. I am really looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and helping Alliant National’s agents close more deals and grow their businesses.”
Dowling is a passionate and active member of the title insurance community. As a director of the Land Title Association of Colorado (LTAC) and a member of its legislative committee, she contributes her time, energy and expertise to advancing the industry’s interests and making sure it operates at the highest possible quality standards. She is also a member of the Real Estate Section of the Colorado Bar Association and serves on the Bar’s Title Standards Committee and Affordable Housing Task Force.
Dowling received her Bachelor of Arts and Sciences degree from the University of Delaware and her Juris Doctor from New England Law. She lives in Denver, Colorado.
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. Visit alliantnational.com for additional information and follow Alliant National on LinkedIn and Facebook for the latest company updates.
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.
Longmont, Colo. – (July 19, 2023) – 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 Sheila Thiele as Underwriting Counsel for the Central West and Great Lakes Regions.
Thiele comes to Alliant National after building a long and accomplished career, having worked in the title insurance field since 2009 in a variety of roles. Before that, Thiele was in private practice, where she focused her efforts on commercial real estate transactions.
“I am looking forward to joining the team at Alliant National,” said Thiele. “Not only is this one of the best groups of professionals in the business, but we also support some of the hardest-working agents out there. I can’t wait to help them with whatever they need to close more business and grow their profitability.”
In her new position at Alliant National, Thiele will be primarily responsible for supporting agent needs throughout Central West and Great Lakes states, includingrisk analysis and insurability determinations. She will also develop continuing education materials and underwriting resources, helping Alliant National’s policy-issuing agents achieve more on behalf of aspiring property owners.
“We are all very excited to have Sheila join our underwriting team,” said Jeff Stein, Chief Underwriting Counsel and Senior Vice President for Alliant National. “Her background as a practicing attorney, agency counsel, claims counsel and most recently underwriting counsel for another national underwriter will be invaluable in helping our agents with any issues they may have.”
Thiele graduated from Missouri Western State University before attending the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, where she earned her Juris Doctor. She also obtained her Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from Bellevue University in 2014. Thiele is a member of the Missouri Land Title Association and lives in Jackson, Mo.
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.
