Tag Archives: Florida Agency Network

Press Releases

Hillsborough Title Family of Companies Proudly Announces New President

Tampa, Fla. – Hillsborough Title Family of Companies (HTFC) is pleased to announce the promotion of Amy Gregory to President of the organization. HTFC consists of Hillsborough Title, Paramount Title, Tampa Bay Title, Cornerstone Title and Stronghold Title. HTFC is the founding title conglomerate of the Florida Agency Network (FAN). Amy brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the position and has been with Hillsborough Title for 10 years.

“This is a natural fit and progression for Amy. There has never been a more committed or deserving person for this opportunity. She has been my right hand since the day she started, and has been the anchor for this organization for many years. There is no other person I would trust taking over the reins of our family business than Amy,” says Aaron M. Davis, former President of HTFC and current CEO of the Florida Agency Network.

In her new role as President, Amy will work in evaluating and improving overall operation effectiveness as well as implementing the organization’s culture, vision, mission and values. Her knowledge and leadership will help HTFC’s organic growth in an effective and successful manner.

As a licensed title agent in the State of Florida, with established proficiency in leadership and company policies and procedures, Amy has the experience, and expertise necessary to ensure all operations and compliance regulations are met within the companies. Entering the title world in 1995, she worked her way through the ranks to become the General Manager for Hillsborough Title, later transitioning to Operations Manager for HTFC and FAN’s Title Support Services.

“I am honored for this opportunity to lead such a talented group of people in this new role. Since starting almost a decade ago, I knew Aaron had an excellent vision for the company’s future and I felt it would be a great fit for my career goals. Amy remarked, “This company is truly a family to me. We have the most amazing team members and I am excited for what the future holds for all of us.”

Resources, Tech Tips

Are You Helping the Bad Guys?

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You may not know it, but your email and web browsing habits may be inadvertently helping the “bad guys” take your personal information, or nonpublic private information (NPPI). Hackers are targeting the real estate industry by utilizing sophisticated techniques and technology to hack into existing email threads and redirect the communication, and far worse, the funds, elsewhere. For real estate agents and their clients, this could mean a big payday for hackers, as well as an enormous headache, and possibly legal action, for agents and their clients.

To protect you and your clients, Aaron M. Davis, CEO of Florida Agency Network (FAN), has compiled a list of actions agents should take to help prevent exposing themselves and their clients to a potential hacking situation.

  • Make sure your title agent only sends encrypted wire instructions directly to the buyer and does not copy the real estate agent. (Many like to include the agent as a means of notification, but this puts the transaction at risk.)
  • Advise your clients that they will only receive the wire instructions ONCE from your title company, and then call to confirm, at a phone number you know to be authentic, prior to sending a wire.
  • Hackers use keyword searches when seeking out fraudulent misdirection opportunities. Stay away from using words in the subject of your emails like “WIRE”, “FUNDS”, and “FUNDING”, as these terms are what hackers are looking for.
  • Change your email password(s) once per month.
  • If you click on a suspicious email link or document, immediately change your password.
  • Invest in antivirus software.
  • Make sure you update your computer patches. Antivirus patches and cell phone updates should be applied immediately upon release, as most are released to address security flaws.
  • Educate your clients on industry scams. Forward this link to clients for further information: https://www.ic3.gov/media/2016/160614.aspx

Hackers have infiltrated our industry and figured out how to create chaos. The most effective way to fight back is to educate yourself and partner with companies that monitor and secure their networks.

Through FAN’s partner, Premier Data Services, agencies within the Network stay up-to-date on compliance initiatives and policies. Each agency hosted by Premier Data Services is SOC 2 compliant, and is audited and verified by a third-party specialist organization, 360Advanced. FAN and its agencies gladly take on the responsibility of not only insuring the title to your home, but also in safeguarding your NPPI.

 

 

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Network News, SETCO Services

FAN and SETCO Partnership Featured in The Title Report

Today’s Title Report update features FAN’s latest announcement on the partnership with SETCO Services LLC.

“Florida Agency Network (FAN) is joining forces with SETCO Services, LLC headquartered in Destin, Fla. FAN CEO Aaron Davis told The Title Report this latest venture marks a new initiative by the title insurance agencies…”

To read the full feature, click HERE.

To read the press release, click HERE.

Network News, Press Releases

Florida Agency Network and SETCO Services, LLC Join Forces to Bring Statewide Solutions

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Florida’s premier network of independent title agencies joins forces with the largest independent agency in North Florida to bring settlement services to real estate professionals throughout the state.

Tampa, Fla. – August 12, 2016 – Florida Agency Network (FAN), Florida’s largest network of independent title insurance agencies, announces that it is joining forces with SETCO Services, LLC,
headquartered in Destin, FL. This latest venture marks a new initiative by FAN to grow the Network through the creation of strategic relationships in certain key Florida markets where FAN is currently under-represented. As opposed to other FAN locations established through organic growth or formalized partnerships, the SETCO announcement represents FAN’s first non-equity relationship where the entities will support one another and avail themselves of each other’s locations, client relationships,
marketing, and other ancillary services.

Through these new relationships the network benefits by adding additional locations to its statewide footprint, and better service for its clients through additional brick and mortar offices with local
knowledge and expertise, while the new FAN agent partners gain access to vast resources and a robust menu of products and services.

“We are incredibly excited to announce the formation of this strategic partnership with SETCO Services, LLC, which is a first of this kind for us. It represents a new approach to true partnership amongst independent agents in Florida,” says Aaron M. Davis, CEO of the Florida Agency Network. “We are able to significantly expand our territory through additional brick and mortar locations while keeping that ‘boots on the ground’ local knowledge to better serve our client base. At the same time, both of our companies share the same vision and commitment to industry compliance through the completion of our SOC 1 and SOC 2 certifications. We plan to focus our combined energies and expertise on serving a broader range of customers and delivering more efficient solutions across the state.”

SETCO Services, LLC will utilize the back-office solutions provided by FAN. Centralizing the non-core title services will allow SETCO Services, LLC to better focus on providing exceptional service for every real estate professional while maintaining top-notch security and protection of NPPI via FAN’s compliance controls.

“The relationship with Florida Agency Network will allow SETCO to offer more diverse yet streamlined services which will only further improve the customer service to our clientele,” says George T. Brannon, Jr., Chief Operating Officer of SETCO Services, LLC. “The Leadership and goals of our companies are like-minded and this opportunity will provide all organizations partnered with Florida Agency Network to grow more efficiently and effectively in the markets they choose to lead.”

FAN’s tight security controls consist of SSAE 16 SOC 1 and SOC 2, ALTA Best Practices Certification (pillars 1-7 via 3rd Party), and support through its I.T. affiliate, Premier Data Services (PDS). PDS is a Managed Service Provider that offers solutions for unmet needs within the real estate and settlement services industry.

Network News

The Title Report Features FAN CEO, Aaron M. Davis, in NS3 Preview

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This week’s Title Report update included a special preview and details on the 2016 National Settlement Services Summit, specifically the Breakout Room Session “Business NOT as Usual” which features Florida Agency Network CEO, Aaron M. Davis and Orange Leaf Consulting CEO, Cynthia McGovern.

To read the full feature, click HERE.

To register for this year’s National Settlement Services Summit, click HERE.

Network News

FAN CEO, Aaron M. Davis, to Speak at 2016 NS3 Summit

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The National Settlement Services Summit offers a destination for industry leaders to come together for “unrivaled networking and learning.” This year’s theme is Knowledge In Action and will offer educational breakout sessions with keynote speakers who are highly regarded within the Settlement Services Industry. One of which will be our very own Aaron M. Davis, CEO/President of Florida Agency Network.

Davis will be speaking in the Breakout Session “Business NOT As Usual” on Tuesday, June 7 from 9:40 am – 10:40 am. Davis, along side Cynthia McGovern, Founder of Orange Leaf Consulting, will discuss life in a post-TRID world and how to embrace the changes to elevate business results.

To register for NS3, visit www.tinyurl.com/NS3Registration. You can save $30 when you use the Coupon Code: SPEAKER.

NS3 Registration - SM FAN (1)

Network News

Rotary Club Efforts Help Save a Life

Photo by DAVE NICHOLSON
Former Rotary Club President Aaron Davis takes a turn at the microphone as the club turns over the last of the 50 automated external defibrillators that the Rotary donated to the police department. Police Chief Ed Duncan, left, Capt. Dave Millich and Rotary Club President Brian Griffin look on. for DAVE NICHOLSON

 

A few years ago, Aaron M. Davis, Florida Agency Network CEO and former Plant City Rotary Club President, had a goal of equipping each patrol car in the Plant City Police Department with Automated External Defibrillators (AED) in an effort to assist in medical emergencies. This goal was completed last year, and the effort is paying off.

Last week, the PC Rotary Club was informed that one of the AEDs installed in a patrol car aided in saving the life of a 46 year-old man who had gone into cardiac arrest. According to Captain Rodriguez of Plant City Fire Rescue, the PCPD Officers were able to provide “exceptional care to the patient utilizing their AED and hands on cardiopulmonary resuscitation.” The PCPD Officers on the scene provided the patient with shocks in order to stabilize him until the Plant City Fire Rescue were able to get to the scene.

Since delivering the first units in 2013, the Rotary has donated a total of 47 units, which have been used at least 5 times now.

“I am so thankful to everyone who helped the Rotary achieve this goal. I hope the AED units continue to assist more PCPD Officers in saving the lives of those in this great community,” said Davis.

Network News

The Title Report, and More, Feature Florida Agency Network’s Compliance Officer

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Last week’s announcement of the Florida Agency Network’s new Compliance Officer for the State of Florida, Andrea Somers, is getting recognition. Yesterday, the Title Report featured the announcement in its news section. Click here to read the feature.

Andrea has also been recognized in the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s People on the Move section! Click here to see it.

As the Florida Agency Network continues to grow and strive to be Florida’s authority in title insurance, we are confident that more great announcements are on the horizon for 2016.

Network News

What the Future Holds for FAN and the Title Industry

Earlier this month, the Florida Agency Network announced plans to invest $5.18 million into expanding its corporate headquarters currently located in Plant City.

Florida Agency Network CEO, Aaron M. Davis, spoke with the Plant City Economic Development Corporation to go into depth on why the Network plans to stay in Plant City, the future of the title insurance industry and Davis’s vision for the future of FAN.

Click here to watch the full video.

To read more on the Florida Agency Network’s expansion plans, click here.