American Land Title Association Awards Bilbrey Honorary Membership
September 29, 2009
The American Land Title Association is proud to announce its Board of Governors has awarded long-time industry advocate Mark Bilbrey an Honorary Membership.
Honorary Membership is bestowed by ALTA’s Board of Governors for performance of distinguished and meritorious service to the association or to the land title industry. Bilbrey will be presented the honor during the 2009 ALTA Annual Convention on Oct. 24 at the Breakers in Palm Beach, Fla.
“Mark has been a true ambassador of the title insurance industry for decades,” said Mike Pryor, President of ALTA. “It is an extraordinary recognition that is rarely awarded by ALTA. Mark epitomizes the type of person and industry professional that defines this high honor.”
Bilbrey is a 38-year veteran of the title industry, as both an underwriter and agent. He is currently Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Central Title Group for Old Republic National Title Insurance Company (ORNTIC). He also is President and CEO of American Guaranty Title Insurance Company. Prior to joining ORNTIC in February 2007, he worked for a national underwriter as its National Agency Sales Manager for several years. For 26 years Bilbrey worked in El Reno, Okla., at Warranty Title & Abstract Inc., serving as its President.
Most professionals are familiar with Bilbrey through his tireless efforts on behalf of the industry with ALTA. Bilbrey served as President of ALTA in 2004.
Over the years, he has served as Chair of the Finance Committee, Abstracter/Agent Research Committee, Co-Chair of Title Insurance Political Action Committee (TIPAC) and as a member of the Government Affairs Committee and Nominating Committee for Abstracters and Title Insurance Agents Section, Title Insurance Assurance Corporation (TIAC) and Title Reinsurance Corporation (TRC),
Bilbrey currently serves on ALTA’s Board of Directors as Treasurer and on the Underwriter’s Section Executive Committee.
Bilbrey also has been extremely involved with the industry at the Oklahoma state level, serving as President of the Oklahoma Land Title Association in 1993. Bilbrey has been recognized by his peers for contributions to the industry as recipient of the William “Bill” Gill Award as Oklahoma’s Outstanding Title Person.
Through the years, Bilbrey and his wife Cathy, a 30-year title industry veteran herself, have together represented the ALTA at least once at each state association convention and ALTA function.
Bilbrey currently resides in Houston, Texas. Their four children and grandson still reside in his native Oklahoma.
"From a state to a national level, Mark Bilbrey stands as a lighthouse for the industry, constantly providing guidance and promoting advocacy efforts to help steer the industry to prosperity,” said Kurt Pfotenhauer, Chief Executive Officer of ALTA.
Contact ALTA at 202-296-3671 or [email protected].