Pennsylvania Land Title Association Installs Officers, Honors Members

August 10, 2009

The Pennsylvania Land Title Association installed its officers for the 2009-2010 business year and recognized two members with awards during its 88th annual convention.

For the first time ever, PLTA joined forces with the New Jersey Land Title Association for a joint convention at the Williamsburg Lodge in Williamsburg, Va. About 200 association members and friends attended the convention. • Leonard A. Shatz, Esq., CLTP of Cheltenham, Pa., takes the office of president. Shatz is senior underwriting counsel with the National Commercial Services Division of First American Title Insurance Co., located in Philadelphia. • Diana Sabol, CLTP of Norristown, Pa., assumes the role of vice president. Sabol is assistant vice president and agency representative for Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Co. in Philadelphia. • Philip S. Janny, CLTP, is now PLTA’s treasurer. Janny is a title insurance agent/real estate coordinator at Law Offices of Plunkett & Graver, P.C., located in Allentown, Pa., and underwrites title insurance for First American. • Jan Koski Hogan of Horsham, Pa., joins the four-year rotation as secretary. Hogan is Pennsylvania state manager for Fidelity National Title Insurance Co. in Blue Bell, Pa.

Dwight E. Edwards, Esq., CLTP, and Dave Wirsching were named recipients of the event’s two awards.

Edwards received the James G. Schmidt Distinguished Service Award, given to an individual who has through his or her career made substantial, lasting contributions to the welfare of the land title insurance industry.

Currently the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Pennsylvania Land Title Institute (PLTI), Edwards has served PLTA and PLTI for many years in many roles. He is a past president of the association, current chair of its professional designation committee and also has chaired its education committee. Edwards is vice president and associate counsel with Old Republic National Title Insurance Co. in Wayne, Pa.

Dave Wirsching received the Albert E. Pentecost Service Award, presented annually to the individual who has made the greatest contribution to PLTA during the preceding year. As chairman of the technology committee, Wirsching devoted scores of hours during the past year to development and creation of a vibrant Web site that connects title professionals in Pennsylvania and beyond. Wirsching is co-owner of Community First Abstract LLC in Blue Bell, Pa.

Francine D'Elia Wirsching, ALTP of Blue Bell, Pa., was recognized as an Associate Land Title Professional. This designation is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated their commitment to the land title profession through their education, experience and service. Wirsching co-owns Community First Abstract with her husband, Dave Wirsching.

More information on the association and the institute is at www.plta.org.


Contact ALTA at 202-296-3671 or communications@alta.org.