Speakers & Presenters

Harley E. Rouda, Jr.

CEO and Managing Partner

Real Living, Inc.

Harley E. Rouda, Jr. is chief executive officer and managing partner of Real Living, Inc., the largest residential real estate firm in the Midwest and the fourth-largest in the nation, with more than 4,000 agents and supporting staff working from 140 offices nationwide. Rouda spearheaded the creation of Real Living in February 2002 by acquiring several regional real estate firms to create a new kind of residential real estate company focused on family, innovation and results – an agent-focused company that would lead the industry in marketing technology, professional development and measurable results. 

Rouda earned the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award in June 2002, in recognition of his industry leadership, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit.  And under his direction, Real Living, Inc. was named an Ohio 200 company by Ohio Business Magazine – a designation shared by the top 100 privately-held and top 100 publicly-held companies in the state.

Rouda speaks nationwide about trends and changes affecting the real estate industry, is extensively involved in various industry organizations, and writes a weekly newspaper column.  He is often quoted in national publications (including The Wall Street Journal, CNN.com and Forbes.com) and is a frequent guest on radio stations across the U.S.

Before entering the real estate industry, Rouda was an attorney with the national law firm of Porter, Wright, Morris and Arthur, specializing in capital information, securities work, and intellectual property. 

Rouda serves or has served on the Board of Directors of numerous for-profit and not-for profit companies including Rocky Shoes and Boots (NASDAQ: RCKY), Insight Bank, The Realty Alliance and the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce.  As the chair of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) working group, Harley was instrumental in keeping the base open. He was also appointed to the All-Ohio Task Force to save defense jobs by Governor Bob Taft.

His participation in community organizations includes the American Cancer Society; Columbus Theatrical Association; Upper Arlington Cultural Arts Commission; March of Dimes; Prevent Blindness; Mid-Ohio FoodBank; Columbus Area Leadership Program; Ballet Met; Upper Arlington Civic Association; Southern Theatre Restoration; COSI (Center of Science and Industry); World of Children; The Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University; and Capital University Law School.

Rouda received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Kentucky; his Juris Doctorate from Capital University Law School; and his Masters in Business Administration from Fisher College of The Ohio State University.

He resides in Upper Arlington, Ohio, with his wife, Kaira, and their four children.

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Patrick Stone

Vice Chairman,
Metrocities Mortgage, Inc.

Patrick Stone currently holds multiple board positions in several mortgage and real estate-related companies. He is Vice-Chairman of Metrocities Mortgage, Inc., a national mortgage company based in Sherman Oaks, California, specializing in high-end residential retail, affiliated business arrangements and wholesale Alt-A lending. He is also the Chairman of Acoustic Home Loans, a national non-prime wholesale lender based in Orange, California, and serves as the Chairman of The Stone Group, a commercial brokerage and development company headquartered in Austin, Texas.

Prior to joining Metrocities Mortgage’s Board of Directors, Stone enjoyed a lengthy career with Fidelity National Financial (FNF), including eight years as President and Chief Operating Officer, and as a Director. During that time, the company grew to be one of the top title companies in the world. He was named one of the “10 People to Watch in 2004” by Inman News.

Mr. Stone will discuss trends in the mortgage lending industry and their impact upon settlement services sales.

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Jeffrey A. Arouh

Partner,
Holland & Knight LLP

One of the nation's leading RESPA attorneys, Jeffrey Arouh, is a partner in the New York City office of Holland & Knight. He has practiced in the real estate, executive relocation and settlement services areas for several years, and represents title insurance companies, real estate brokers, appraisers and title insurance agencies. Mr. Arouh is a frequent lecturer for seminars and conferences on numerous legal issues involving real estate, title, mortgage banking and consumer finance. Mr. Arouh has been published in HR, Mobility, National Relocation & Real Estate magazines and Corporate Relocation News.

Mr. Arouh will discuss the legal requirements and practical considerations necessary for setting up a large and small joint venture or affiliated arrangement during the AfBA Tool Kit session.

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G. William Evans

Chief Financial Officer

LandAmerica Financial Group, Inc.

Bill Evans is Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of LandAmerica Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: LFG), a leading provider of real estate transactions services. Evans has served as CFO since 1999 and is responsible for the integrity of all financial information including the underlying strength of LandAmerica’s balance sheet. He is the primary spokesperson on all financial matters necessary to meet public financial reporting needs mandated by the SEC. He also serves, along with Bob Sullivan, Senior Vice President – Investor Relations and Capital Markets, as the primary investor relations contact.

Effective January 1, 2005, Evans assumed expanded responsibilities in working more closely with company operations in the areas of budgeting, business planning and performance, and improving profitability.

Departments reporting directly to Evans include Centennial Bank, Corporate Controller, Corporate Development, Corporate Performance, Investor Relations, and Treasury.

Evans has served the company in a variety of financial positions over the past 30 years. Before assuming the role of CFO, he served as Executive Vice President – Information Technology and was previously the CFO for Lawyers Title.

A Certified Public Accountant, Evans received his bachelor of science degree in business administration from Concord College in West Virginia.

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Frank Camperlengo

CEO & President of Security First Title Affiliates
First American Title Insurance Company

Frank D. Camperlengo has served as CEO and President of Security First Title Affiliates based in Largo Florida, since 2003.  A wholly owned subsidiary of First American Title Insurance Company, Security First sets up and manages joint venture title partnerships with Realtors, Lenders and Builders.  As head of First American’s partnership Division in the Southeast Region, Frank is responsible for the management of over 50 joint venture title operations.

A graduate of Florida State University, Mr. Camperlengo has 15 years experience in the title insurance industry starting as owner of Principle Title Insurance Agency, an independent title agency in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Joining First American in 1999 as its South Florida Sales Manger he helped to build a dynamic sales force which brought significant revenue and market share gains for First American.  His experience in agency operations, sales & marketing propel Security First in growing revenues and expanding partnerships throughout the Southeast Region.

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Bob Skalstad

Executive Vice President and Principal
Corporate Management Advisors

A 25-year veteran of the financial services industry, Bob Skalstad has been instrumental in driving CMA to be one of the nation’s leading and most respected executive search firms in the mortgage and title space. His employment background includes national account sales and sales management with Unisys, TRW Information Services and ALLTEL Information Services. Mr. Skalstad will moderate a panel discussion on the basics of sales strategy and execution, including marketing strategy, targeted recruitment and retention of sales personnel, strategic account mapping and more.

The panel will also explore the successful sales practices for entering the REO/Default Services markets.

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Ginny Abiassi

Sr. VP, Director of Marketing & Communications and Counsel
Stewart Title Guaranty Company

Ginny is responsible for marketing Stewart’s products and services on a world-wide basis, including public relations, advertising, publications, and marketing communications for all Stewart entities.  Additionally, she oversees the majority of customer-facing web development, creating stewart.com, stewartmarketing.com, StewartSitebuilder; and specialalerts.com.  Before becoming Stewart’s Director of Marketing & Communications, she spent fifteen years in the legal departments of both Stewart and another national title underwriter, handling claims and underwriting.  While in Stewart’s Legal Department, she co-developed Virtual Underwriter, Stewart’s award-winning underwriting software.

Abiassi holds a Juris Doctor from South Texas College of Law and is currently a member of the American Bar Association, State Bar of Texas and Houston Bar Association.  She is also a member of the International Association of Business Communicators, American Marketing Association, National Association of Real Estate Editors and Urban Land Institute.  She is a director on the board of the Real Estate section of the Houston Bar Association.

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Kenneth Jannen

Vice President-Counsel, National Agency Director & Associate Senior Underwriter

First American Title Insurance Company

Kenneth Jannen is Vice President - Counsel, National Agency Director and Associate Senior Underwriter - Home Office Staff of First American Title Insurance Company, Sunrise, Florida. He currently serves on the Forms Committee of the American Land Title Association and is a past President of the Florida Land Title Association. In 1992, he received the Raymond O. Denham Memorial Award from the Florida Land Title Association, and in 1995 and 1996 was ALTA Recruiter of the Year. Mr. Jannen will host the afternoon sessions on Day One of this year's summit.

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Syndie Eardly
Editorial Director
October Research Corporation

Syndie is the editorial director for October Research Corporation, managing the day to day editorial function and content for The Title Report, The Legal Description and each of the October Research publications. She is an accomplished industry speaker and is recognized for her insight on high impact matters such as RESPA reform, affiliated arrangements and non-compete clauses.

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Joe Casa
Founder and Publisher, October Research Corporation

The Title Report

Located in Richfield, Ohio, October Research is the nation’s leading provider of market intelligence, business news and regulatory information for the real estate services industry. During 2005, the company was named a top ten Weatherhead 100 company by Case Western Reserve University as one of the region’s fastest growing businesses. Prior to October Research, Joe served as Executive Vice President of Old Republic National Title Holding Company where he oversaw their Realty Services Group and the company’s Corporate Development activity. Prior to Old Republic, he was a General Manager and Group Vice President for TRW Information Systems and Services. Joe obtained his BA from Otterbein College and is a graduate of TRW’s worldwide business study program and executive education programs from several business schools.

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