PLTA Marks 100 Years of Protecting Property Rights

March 30, 2021

The Pennsylvania Land Title Association (PLTA) is ”A Century Strong” as it celebrates its 100th year of protecting property rights of Pennsylvanians through its member title agents and agencies, title insurance underwriters, real estate attorneys and other real estate professionals. The group currently includes Executive Director Robin Kelsh and three additional staff members, as well as members who volunteer their professional skills for various committees and initiatives, including its current president Lisa McEntee CLTP, vice president and senior underwriting counsel at Fidelity National Title Insurance Company.

“It is humbling to sit at the helm of this organization during its centennial year,” McEntee said. “This association was borne with a mission to advocate for title insurance and real estate professionals, and we’re still working toward that end every day. Our members are competitors but leave that competition at the door and pool our talent, time, and resources to ensure that our voices are heard by local, state and national government officials.”

On Nov. 15, 1921, a group of Pennsylvania title professionals gathered to form the new advocacy group. At the helm, as its first president and architect, was a man name John E. Potter, who was also the president of Potter Title & Trust Company. Potter was recognized on the national level as “… one of the title industry's recognized authorities,” by what is now the American Land Title Association (ALTA).

Potter set a high standard, which the PLTA continues to follow with its current and past leaders, as is evidenced by 36 of its presidents earning the right to be called Certified Title Professionals (CLTP), including McEntee. This designation is earned by those members who have the required experience, education, and professional participation to be considered the most distinguished title professionals in Pennsylvania. 

Other tidbits from the PLTA’s century of history include:

  • The group was incorporated as the Pennsylvania Title Association. It would later change to its current name to align with that of the national organization and better depict its purpose and membership.
  • There were 32 companies that were original members of the association, including the Real Estate Title Insurance and Trust Company, which issued the first title insurance policy in the world back 1876!
  • Five of the association’s past presidents have also led ALTA, including Anne Anastasi who was the first woman to lead the PLTA in 1998-99 and only the second woman to serve as president of ALTA (2010-11).
  • Today, the PLTA is made up of more than 500 member companies and their employees, totaling 2500 professionals, from all facets of the homebuying process.

“Over the last century, PLTA has been a consistent source of information, advocacy and innovation for the title industry,” Kelsh said. “I am grateful to be part of this association as we celebrate this monumental milestone, honor the dedication of our members, and celebrate the resiliency of the title industry professionals, especially through the challenges of the past year.”

The PLTA is “A Century Strong” in its mission to be an advocate for its members. The trade association represents the title agents and agencies, title insurance underwriters, real estate attorneys and other real estate professionals throughout Pennsylvania. Its members are knowledgeable, dedicated professionals in the title industry who are your best resource to protect property rights of Pennsylvanians.

 


Contact ALTA at 202-296-3671 or [email protected].