Membership Committee
The Membership Committee shall work to increase and maintain membership to help the Association’s efforts to bring continuing education and important legislation to title and escrow professionals. In addition, the Committee considers all applications for membership, makes a recommendation of approval or rejection thereof, and transmits the application, together with a report thereon, to the Board of Directors.
Convention & Education Committee
The Convention & Education Committee shall be responsible for all education of the Association and all educational seminars for the membership and/or financial community. It shall work to secure a location for the Association’s annual convention and will coordinate speakers to discuss topics relative to the industry.
Legislative Committee
The Legislative Committee shall strive to secure the enactment, repeal or defeat of legislation, as directed by the Board of Directors. It shall keep the Association informed of all pending and enacted legislation which affects the title industry.
Bylaws Committee
The Bylaws Committee shall maintain awareness over the Bylaws of the Association so that these provisions serve the Association in meeting the purposes of the organization. The Committee shall consider all proposals to amend, and may on its own, propose amendments to the Bylaws of the Association.
Ways & Means Committee
The Ways & Means Committee shall work to provide fundraising, as necessary, to accommodate the funding of programs and/or activities approved by the Board of Directors.
Website & Social Media Committee
The Website & Social Media Committee shall work to implement and/or maintain an Internet Website and/or a Social Media presence for the Association. The Committee shall monitor the effectiveness of these sites and suggest ways to improve them, as well as utilize the sites to promote the activities and professionalism of the Association.
Board of Directors
Chris Hough
Office: Past-President
Stewart Title of Kenai
(907) 260-8031
35681 Kenai Spur Highway, Soldotna, AK 99669
Committee Membership: Membership, Scholarship (Chair)
Janelle Keller
Office: Past-President
Alyeska Title Guaranty Agency
(907) 339-8862
3801 Centerpoint Drive, Ste. 102 Anchorage, AK 99503
Bylaws, Convention & Education, Website (Chair),
Lisa Phillips
Office: President-Elect
Stewart Title of Alaska
(907) 357-8937
2002 E Bogard Rd., Ste. A, Wasilla, AK 99654
Committee Membership: Scholarship, Ways & Means
CRISSY HAMAN
Yukon Title Company
About Crissy Haman:
Crissy Haman began her title career in 1991 for a company in Kalispell, Montana. Upon returning to Fairbanks in 1993, she was hired as a Title Assistant with Yukon Title Company, Inc. Over the next 10 years she held various positions in the Title Department, eventually becoming a Senior Title Officer. Wanting to increase her knowledge of the industry, in 2003 she transitioned to a position as an Escrow Officer and within 2 years became the Escrow Department Manager. Crissy is currently the Chief Title Officer and Vice President of Yukon Title Company and handles all the company’s commercial transactions. She has been on the Alaska Land Title Association Board since 2015.
NICHOLE SMITH
Office: Former President
Stewart Title of Alaska
About Nichole Smith:
Nichole Smith is the Title Operations Manager at Stewart Title of Alaska. She holds over 20 years’ experience in the industry, beginning her career in Colorado before moving to Alaska in 2002. Nichole has held various positions in the title industry and has worked with numerous underwriters. She has a BS in Biology from Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, Colorado and has been on the Alaska Land Title Association Board since 2016.
DEVIN HURLEY
Western Alaska Land Title Company
About Devin Hurley:
Devin Hurley is the President/Owner of Western Alaska Land Title Company, as well as Chief Title Officer, and is the third generation in his family to own the business. He started in the title industry in 2009 when he moved back to Alaska from Portland, Oregon where he previously worked as a T.I.G. welder manufacturing parts for stunt aerobatic aircraft.
Devin’s grandfather, James J. Hurley, started Western Alaska Land Title in October 1975. He purchased a title plant from Alaska Title Guaranty and brought it over to Kodiak in a camper. He saw an opportunity, as there was not a land title company in Kodiak, and went to work on getting the company started. Jim’s son, Tim, started working at the company in 1977 and took over the business in 1983. Tim has run the company for 40 years and recently handed over the reigns to the next generation. Western Alaska Land Title Company is known for being the “thousand mile” title company, serving both the Kodiak and Aleutian Islands Recording Districts.
Devin was elected to serve as a Board Member of the Alaska Land Title Association in 2023. In his off time, he enjoys the outdoors, hunting, fishing, bowling and spending time with family.
Stephanie Kiefer
Office: Treasurer
Alyeska Title Guaranty Agency
(907) 339-8822
3801 Centerpoint Drive, Ste. 102 Anchorage, AK 99503
Committee Membership: Membership (Chair)
Laurie Downing
Alyeska Title Guaranty Agency
(907) 339-8848
3801 Centerpoint Drive, Ste. 102 Anchorage, AK 99503
Committee Membership: Bylaws – Chair
Steve Taylor
First American Title
(907) 786-9559
1400 W Benson Blvd., Ste. 250, Anchorage, AK 99503
Committee Membership: Legislative (Chair)
STEVE TAYLOR
State Title Operations Manager, First American Title
About Steve Taylor:
Steve Taylor serves as the State Title Operations Manager for First American Title, bringing over 23 years of experience in the title insurance industry. Prior to his current role, Steve was a Commercial Title Officer and has held nearly every title support position—from customer service and chaining to recording. He recently completed the year-long Underwriting Bridge Program through First American Title, and is a member of several Underwriting practice groups, further expanding his expertise in underwriting and operations.
JENNIFER NACHTRIEB
Stewart Title Company
About Jennifer Nachtrieb:
Jennifer Nachtrieb serves as the Director of Escrow Operations for Stewart Title Company and brings nearly 20 years of experience in the title and escrow industry. Throughout her career, she has held a variety of positions, including Recorder, Policy Typist, Title Assistant, Title Officer, and Escrow Officer, with the past decade dedicated to escrow work before assuming her current leadership role. A lifelong resident of Interior Alaska and a graduate of North Pole High School, Jennifer also holds a degree in Economics from Hood College in Frederick, Maryland. Her comprehensive background provides her with a balanced perspective on both title and escrow operations. She resides in North Pole, Alaska, with her husband and three daughters
COLLEEN SULLIVAN
Office: Former President
First American Title
About Colleen Sullivan:
Colleen Sullivan is the Branch Manager for First American Title in Juneau. Her 30 years in Alaska brings 3 years of mortgage loan experience and 27 years in the title insurance industry. She primarily works as a Title Examiner and Branch Manager for First American, but does not hesitate to jump into Escrow when duty calls.
Colleen is the Past President of Glacier Valley Rotary and has served twice as President of the Alaska Land Title Association, her most recent position held in 2016.
KIMBERLY MATTLE
Alaska Escrow and Title Insurance Agency, Inc.
About Kimberly Mattle:
Kim’s work experience is 27 years in Title Insurance & Escrow and various positions in the loan areas of Banks – from servicing to Lending Assistant. She has worked for Alaska Escrow and Title Insurance Agency for 13+ years and for First Bank, National Bank of Alaska and Washington Trust Bank.
Currently, beginning in March of 2008, she became the General Manager for Alaska Escrow and Title Insurance Agency and oversee 3 offices. The main office in Ketchikan and Escrow Offices in Juneau and Sitka.
She has been on the Alaska Land Title Association Board since 2008, and President for the 2014-2015 session. She was on the Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for 6 years and President for the year of 2011 and was involved with their Events Committee for 8 years, helping organize such events as the 4th of July Parade, the Annual Awards Banquet and Enchanted Forest Dance and Auction.
She also volunteered for and helped organize other community events such as the March of Dimes Scrap-A-Thon, Distinguished Young Women of Alaska and the Home Builders Trade Show.
Jennifer Nachtrieb
Stewart Title Company
jennifer.nachtrieb@stewart.com
(907) 374-2055
714 Gaffney Road, Fairbanks, AK 99701
Julie Strunk
Office: President
Alaska Escrow and Title Insurance Agency, Inc.
julie.strunk@akescrowtitle.com
(907) 225-9077
2030 Sea Level Drive, Ste. 201, Ketchikan, AK 99901
Committee Membership: Membership
Kimberly Mattle
Alaska Escrow and Title Insurance Agency, Inc.
(907) 225-9077
2030 Sea Level Drive, Ste. 201, Ketchikan, AK 99901
Committee Membership: Convention & Education – Chair
LISA PHILLIPS
Stewart Title of Alaska
About Lisa Phillips:
Lisa Phillips has been in the title industry for 28 years. She started her career in 1997 as a Receptionist with Title Insurance Agency, Inc. (TIA) in Juneau and over the years has worked for McKinley Title & Trust and Mat-Su Title Agency, LLC. She has held various positions including prelim/policy typing, Recording, Escrow Assistant, Title Officer, Title Manager, Division Assistant Vice President for McKinley Title and Office Manager for Mat-Su Title. Just recently, Lisa moved to Stewart Title of Alaska where she is a Senior Title Officer. Lisa is the immediate Past President of the Wasilla “Noon” Rotary Club, Graduate of the Rotary District Leadership Academy and past member of Mortgage Women, Juneau Chapter.
CHRIS HOUGH
Stewart Title of Kenai
About Chris Hough:
Chris is the President of both Stewart Title of the Kenai Peninsula in Soldotna and Kachemak Bay Title Agency in Homer. His family has been in the title insurance business since they founded Kachemak Bay Title Agency in 1977. Chris works in both title and escrow as needed between the two companies. He has a BS from Montana State University and an MBA from the University of Washington.
In addition to his role on the Alaska Land Title Association Board, Chris also serves as President of the Rotary Club of Soldotna, Vice President of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Kenai Peninsula and Director for the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District. He is an active and involved community member who enjoys traveling, playing sports and spending time with his wife, Sarah, and their two children, Tanner and Lily.
HOWARD HANCOCK
Fidelity Title Agency of Alaska
About Howard Hancock:
Howard Hancock is the Chief Title Officer for Fidelity Title Agency of Alaska, LLC. He has lived in Anchorage since 1965. A graduate of West Anchorage High School, with attendance at the Anchorage Community College and University of Alaska. Howard joined the title industry in 1981, starting out as a Posting Clerk, and has held various positions, including Recorder, Title Plant Manager, Title Examiner and Title Department Manager. As Chief Title Officer, Howard provides underwriting support and training for the title department staff, with a focus on examining title to commercial transactions. Over the years he has worked in offices in Anchorage, Mat-Su and Kenai. He has served as a board member of the Alaska Land Title Association and NeighborWorks Anchorage Home Ownership Center Advisory Board. Howard enjoys hunting, fishing and riding snowmachines and ATV’s with his family in the great Alaskan outdoors.
Kaitlyn Hanrahan
First American Title
About Kaitlyn Hanrahan:
Kaitlyn Hanrahan is currently a Title Officer at First American Title. She started with the company 8 years ago as their Recorder and quickly moved on to being a Title Officer. Prior to her career in the title industry, she had 4 years of working in banking.
Kaitlyn Hanrahan
Office: Secretary
First American Title
(907) 786-9535
1400 W Benson Blvd., Ste. 250, Anchorage, AK 99503
Committee Membership: Legislative
Thomas Villers
Stewart Title Company
(907) 376-1822
1981 E Palmer-Wasilla Hwy #100, Wasilla, AK 99654
Committee Membership: Bylaws
Devin Hurley
Western Alaska Land Title Company
(907) 486-4433
Mailing: P.O. Box 864, Kodiak, AK 99615 Physical: 314 Center Avenue, Kodiak, AK 99615
Committee Membership: Ways & Means (Chair)
Nichole Smith
Stewart Title
(907 ) 777-0514
480 E 36th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99503
Committee Membership: Bylaws (Chair), Scholarship
STEPHANIR KIEFER
Alyeska Title Guaranty Agency
About Stephanie Kiefer:
Stephanie Kiefer is a licensed Escrow Manager for the Anchorage Office of Alyeska Title Guaranty Agency. She started as an Escrow Officer with Title Insurance Agency (TIA) in Juneau, AK in 2005. After 4 years left to work as a mortgage loan processor for AK USA Mortgage and then worked for the State of Alaska Department of Commerce as a Document Supervisor and then a Loan Officer. After 4 years, she went back to the exciting business of Title and Escrow at Alaska Escrow and Title, and like riding a bike you don’t forget how to be an escrow officer. After a few months of being with Alaska Escrow and Title, her husband accepted a new job that brought their family to Anchorage. She then started with Alyeska Title in 2013 as an escrow officer with a focus on new construction and then became the Anchorage Escrow Manager. Her past employment included National Bank Alaska and Wells Fargo. Working as a teller, loan officer, and an operations supervisor. Stephanie and her husband Brad have been married for 30 years and have 3 boys and 4 grandchildren. In her spare time, she likes to remodel her home, travel, and watch movies.
Thomas Viller
Stewart Title Company
About Thomas Villers:
Dedicative Title Officer for 6+ years with a passion for tackling intricate challenges and innovating solutions. He thrives on unraveling complex problems and devising fresh approaches to finding resolutions. Outside of work, he immerses himself in the realms of psychology and mechanical engineering, constantly seeking to broaden his understanding. When he’s not indulging in intellectual pursuits, you can find him honing his skills in hunting or experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.
JULIE STRUNK
Alaska Escrow and Title Insurance Agency, Inc.
About Julie Strunk:
Julie Strunk is the Chief Title Officer for Alaska Escrow and Title Insurance Agency, Inc. (AETIA). She was born in Ketchikan, AK and graduated from Ketchikan High School. She has a BA in Graphic Design from Montana State University, Bozeman.
Julie started in the title business in 2003 at AETIA as a title assistant she went on to be recorder, policy typist, plant builder and title examiner. Since then she has worked as a title examiner for companies in Portland, OR and Vancouver, WA until returning home in 2011 to Ketchikan and AETIA.
In her free time she enjoys reading, painting and traveling to amazing places all over the world.
Janelle Keller
Alyeska Title Guaranty Agency
About Janelle Keller:
Janelle Keller is the Chief Title Officer for Alyeska Title Guaranty Agency. A lifelong Alaskan, Janelle was born in Nome, Alaska and has lived in Anchorage since 1991. She graduated from East High School in 2001 and shortly thereafter started her career in Title Insurance. In her 20+ years in the industry she has held various positions within the Title Department, ranging from recording and customer service to management. In 2022 she shifted her primary focus from management back to her number one passion – commercial real estate transactions, where her knowledge of the industry truly thrives.
Janelle is a recipient of the October Research Top 40 Under 40 award and has served on the Alaska Land Title Association Board since 2014. In her free time, Janelle enjoys being Mom to her two young boys, getting outside and spending time with her friends and family.
LAURIE DOWNING
Alyeska Title Guaranty Agency
About Laurie Downing:
Laurie Downing is the Title Manager for Alyeska Title Guaranty Agency, Inc. Her career in the real estate and title industry began in 1978 and covers the Anchorage and Mat-Su Valley areas. In addition to being a Title Officer and Escrow Officer for commercial and residential transactions, Laurie has been an assistant to a real estate agent and for several years owned a company which performed flood hazard determinations for lenders.
BOBBI HAMILTON
Yukon Title Company
About Bobbi Hamilton:
Bobbi Hamilton started her career in title insurance with Yukon Title Company, Inc. in September 2001. Hired as a Title Assistant, she has since held various positions with the company including Customer Service Representative and currently, Senior Title Officer.
Bobbi volunteers as an affiliate for the Greater Fairbanks Board of Realtors and is active in her daughter’s school and theatre group. The Alaska Land Title Association welcomed her to the Board in 2017.
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