For the ninth year, October Research, LLC, presented its annual awards for leadership, innovation and philanthropy, with some of the brightest stars in the title industry recognized for their efforts.
Publisher and CEO Erica Meyer presented the awards Wednesday at the 16th annual National Settlement Services Summit (NS3). Pat Stone, executive chairman and founder of the Williston Financial Group, was presented the leadership award. Rick Triola, CEO of NotaryCam, was presented the innovation award. And Patrick Hagler, Georgia state counsel at Alliant National Title Insurance Co., was presented the philanthropy award.
“Each year we take the time to recognize true pillars in the industry with the October Research Awards,” Meyer said. “Nominations are submitted from across the country to highlight accomplishments in Leadership, Innovation and Philanthropy. I am excited to announce this year’s winners.”
2020 Leadership Award
Stone formed WFG in 2010 under the idea of creating a national underwriter that operated on only one platform. This was a first in the industry and reduced operational overhead costs.
Previously, he served as president and chief operating officer for Fidelity National Financial (FNF) for nearly 10 years. Under his leadership, FNF grew from the fourth-largest player in the title space to the first, with the acquisition of Chicago Title in 2000.
Earlier this year, Stone introduced Decision Point – a completely automated title decisioning system – oversaw the creation of the company’s Blocks Program, spearheaded the rollout of MyHome and extended the service to lenders.
He has been involved in the purchase of more than 100 companies. This year marks WFG’s 10th anniversary and Pat will be celebrating by engaging with clients and prospects in a collaborative manner to create services that are complementary and result in more efficient processes for customers.
2020 Innovation Award
Triola founded eSigning solutions provider Settleware in 1999 and NotaryCam in 2012. Using this technology, he completed the first mortgage remote online closing in 2014. Since then, he’s advocated at every level across the country to advancing the legalization of the technology.
In a time where eClosings and digital mortgage adoption is skyrocketing, Triola intentionally designed the NotaryCam platform with the flexibility to accommodate all types of closing ceremonies. That has allowed the technology to adapt to the inconsistent state regulatory requirements around the country.
NotaryCam is adding roughly 15,000 new users to the platform monthly, resulting in more than 350,000 total users on the platform this year, and has executed more than 250,000 transactions to date.
2020 Philanthropy Award
A large portion of Hagler’s free time is spent volunteering for various organizations and non-profits.
You might know him from his non-profit, Loving Hands of Hope. In his home he has an entire spare room filled with much-needed items to help teens and young adults stay clothed, and warm, while living on the streets. Hagler also supports the Lost and Found Youth, with counseling and services for homeless young adults, and on their 24-hour hotline helping children find a place to go, or a hot meal.
He also volunteers for and supports the Dr. Anise Mabry Foundation’s diploma program, Chris 180, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Backpack in the Park and is a Toy Party volunteer for the Kid in All of Us organization.
Hagler’s service has inspired his friends and colleagues in the industry to get involved as well.
Previous OR Award winners were:
2019
Leadership: Erin Faulkner, Amrock
Innovation: Gorkem Kuterdam, Adeptive Software
Philanthropy: John Voso, Old Republic National Title
2018
Leadership: Monte Reinert, Transnation Title Agency of Michigan
Innovation: Dominic Iannitti, DocMagic
Philanthropy: Joyce Weiland, SoftPro
2017
Leadership: George Holler, Holler Law Firm LLC
Innovation: Paul Clifford, Simplifile
Philanthropy: Curt Szymanski, Windward Consulting
2016
Leadership: Mary Schuster, RamQuest
Innovation: Dan Sogorka, RealEC Technologies
Philanthropy: Tali Raphaely, Armour Settlement Services
2015
Leadership: Diane Evans, Land Title Guarantee Co.
Innovation: Dick Reass, RynohLive
Philanthropy: Kevin Tacher, Independence Title
2014
Leadership: John Hollenbeck, First American Title Insurance Co.
Innovation: Tim Armbruster, Woodfinn
Philanthropy: Kent Stewart, Reli Settlement Solutions
2013
Leadership: Joseph Drum, WFG National Title Insurance Co.
Innovation: Brian Coester, Coester VMS
Philanthropy: Dave Heine, Closemytimeshare.com
2012
Leadership: Robert Klein, Safeguard Properties
Innovation: Stewart Morris Jr., Stewart Information Services Corp.
Philanthropy: Chris Gulotta, The Gulotta Law Group, PLLC