The Trusted Adviser
March 2017 | Volume 10 · Number 3

A New Era at ATG

EDITOR'S NOTE: As of August 20, 2021, ATG LegalServe is no longer an ATG subsidiary and has resumed operations under its previous name, It’s Your Serve (IYS). Any outstanding LegalServe orders are being processed by IYS. Learn more at www.itsyourserve.com.

Promotions and Changes in Leadership

Christine M. Sparks, Arden K. Miner, Tania M. S. Stori photo
New ATG officers (from left): Christine M. Sparks, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer; Arden K. Miner, Vice President – Underwriting, Support and Development; and Tania M. S. Stori, Vice President – Claims and Litigation.

One of ATG's biggest strengths is the loyalty and longevity of its staff and member agents. Our seasoned management team carries a breadth of knowledge and experience, so when retirements and other changes occur — the gates open for opportunity and change. Christine, Arden, and Tania are all talented lawyers who have come up through the ranks at ATG. We are proud to promote from within as we foster our longstanding culture of opportunity and camaraderie, which we view as essential tools in providing impeccable service. They possess in-depth experience in many aspects of our business and are uniquely qualified to lead us to future successes.

Christine Sparks, Senior Vice President – Chief Operating Officer, Chicago | Christine brings a deep understanding of ATG operations, agent operations, risk assessment, and compliance to her new position due to her experience in the Training and Procedures, Support and Development, Claims, and Underwriting Departments. She is well versed in title insurance and lending industry practices and the regulatory environment, and possesses a boots-on-the-ground sense that resonates with ATG agents and staff. In her most recent role as Vice President and Managing Attorney, Christine assessed the insurability of real estate transactions as they relate to claims analysis and investigated and resolved title insurance claims. She also provided direction and support to the Training and Procedures Department personnel in resolving member compliance issues. Prior to joining ATG in 2003 as a Staff Attorney, she was an associate at the law firm of Jump & Associates, P.C. She is a past president of the Illinois Land Title Association and has also chaired various committee roles there, including the Title Counsel Committee. She has obtained the designation of Illinois Title Professional from the Illinois Land Title Association and the designation of National Title Professional from the American Land Title Association. She is a member of the Illinois Real Estate Lawyers Association, Illinois State Bar Association, and the Chicago Bar Association. Christine is a frequent speaker for ATG Legal Education and other groups within the real estate and title insurance industries. She is also a recipient of the Stanley W. Marion Real Estate Law Fellowship. John Marshall Law School, Chicago, Master of Laws in Real Estate 2004; DePaul College of Law, Chicago, J.D. 2002; Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, B.S. (with honors) 1999.

Arden K. Miner, Vice President – Underwriting, Support and Development, Chicago | Arden returns to parent company ATG after having spent the last five years in the top position at ATG subsidiary, ATG LegalServe, where she oversaw the management of day-to-day operations, defined the overall corporate mission, and developed new directions for the business. As an example of the latter, under Arden's direction ATG LegalServe acquired a local process-serving company, added new services, relocated, and almost doubled in size during 2016. Arden has strong problem-solving, customer relations, and long-term planning skills. Arden also has significant experience in the real estate closing process, title insurance underwriting, title operations, and agent support from her past roles at ATG. In the late 1990s she was an Independent Closer for ATG and joined the staff in 2002 as an attorney in the Underwriting Department, which she later managed along with the Escrow Department. She served on the board of directors of the Illinois Land Title Association, is a member of the Illinois State and Chicago Bar Associations, and is a licensed Private Detective. Arden is also a past chairperson for the CBA Real Property Law Committee and Vice Chair of the UPL and Multi-Disciplinary Law Committees. She is a frequent speaker for IICLE and ATG Legal Education seminars. Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Lansing, Michigan (J.D. 1995); Keller Graduate School of Management, Chicago (M.B.A. 1992); Northeastern University, Chicago (teaching certificate 1988); and Loyola University of Chicago (B.S. Psychology 1986).

Tania M. S. Stori, Vice President – Claims and Litigation, Champaign | For the last two years, Tania has been transitioning from her long-term role in Underwriting, most recently as Senior Managing Attorney, learning all aspects of claims analysis, settlement, and litigation from Michael K. Brandt, who retired in 2017 after more than 35 years of service. Due to her own long-term service at ATG (having started as a law clerk in 1996) and extensive service in the Underwriting and Claims Departments, Tania is well versed in all aspects of the real estate transaction, insurability and risk assessment, and the regulatory environment. She also has a deep understanding of our services, title operations, staff, and attorney agents. Tania is a contributing author to the IICLE's Commercial Real Estate and IICLE's Illinois Mortgage Foreclosure Practice. She currently serves on the Illinois Land Title Association Board of Directors and is a past chair of its Title Counsel Committee. Tania is a frequent speaker for ATG Legal Education seminars. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, College of Law, J.D. 1998; University of Chicago, M.A. 1994; Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois, B.A. (summa cum laude) 1993.

 

Arden Miner's return to ATG means she is departing ATG LegalServe, our process serving and litigation support subsidiary. Our recent acquisition of It’s Your Serve and particularly its dynamic and devoted leader, Kelly Kienzle, has poised ATG LegalServe to achieve great things. Kelly will assume the leadership role at ATG LegalServe. Key people at ATG will assist Kelly during this transition to make sure she has the corporate support she needs.

The first step in looking forward is looking at where we've been. The last several years have been both successful and challenging for ATG and its agents. As we work through TRID implementation, we face longer closings, difficult and often inconsistent directions from outside parties, and increasing pressure to deliver services faster. ATG has been here to help agents navigate the new landscape every step of the way with education, support, and one-on-one assistance. Many of the toughest TRID changes are behind us, but there are others on the horizon: A new administration brings a new regulatory and economic environment; low interest rates will begin to creep up; and the lending environment will continue to tighten and shift.

We look forward to this new era with both our long-term customers and employees and our fresh crop of new ones. Our leadership team is enthusiastic and well-equipped to deliver competitive tools for your practice, plus the most efficient and accurate services available in the title industry. I know you'll join me in congratulating Christine, Arden, and Tania. It's shaping up to be a great 2017.

Peter J. Birnbaum
ATG President and Chief Executive Officer

[Last update: 3-15-17]

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