Page One

In this issue

Page 1
    Ken McDowell Awarded
    "Title Person of the Year"
    Governor Names
    New Insurance Commissioner
Page 2
    2005 Golf Tourney Winners
    About Our Members
    OLTA Membership Directory Available

Page 3
    2004-2005 OLTA Board of Directors
Page 4
    OLTA Is Crossing The Red River
    July 15-16, 2005
Page 5
    2005 OLTA Convention Photos
Page 6
    Calendar of Events

The Bill Gill "Title Person of the Year" Award was presented at the 2005 OLTA Annual Convention to Ken McDowell, First American Title & Trust Company, Shawnee. McDowell was the proud recipient of this prestigious annual award, presented by Joy Scheller, 2004 award recipient.

In making the presentation, Scheller outlined McDowell's accomplishments during his career in the title industry. Scheller pointed out, "This year's honoree is not a 'Bill' nor does the name rhyme with 'Bill' or 'Gill,' but a most fitting nickname might be 'Will.' Anytime this person is asked to participate, help out, organize, lead or follow, the response is always, 'I will, what can I do to help?' and the help never ends."

McDowell is a former president of OLTA and has been in the title and abstract industry for over 30 years. He is active in a number of local organizations including serving as past president and past lieutenant governor for Division 21 of Kiwanis, where he has served as secretary/treasurer of the Shawnee Kiwanis Club for the past 13 years. He is past chairman of the Pottawatomie County American Red Cross and Shawnee Planning Commission and past president of the Shawnee Jaycees and Shawnee Little Theatre. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Ken and his wife, Dana, live in Shawnee.

The Bill Gill Award is presented to the nominee who best exemplifies the high ideals and dedication to the land title industry demonstrated by William "Bill" Gill, a former OLTA and ALTA president. Mr. Gill was instrumental in establishing the highest standards for Oklahoma title professionals.

Kim Holland is the second woman to serve as Oklahoma's Insurance Commissioner. Appointed by Governor Brad Henry in January 2005, she brings 25 years of industry and community service to her role as Commissioner.

Commissioner Holland has spent over two decades providing insurance consultation to Oklahomans. She is widely regarded as one of the top employee benefits specialists in the state. Holland has a proven track record in consumer advocacy regarding insurance policy performance and claims resolution, and has worked to continually improve consumer understanding of insurance products, provisions and the market place.

In the public policy arena, Holland has served as a member of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority since 2003, and is a former chair and member of the Oklahoma State Employees' Benefits Council and the Emergency Medical Services Authority. Her community service activities include serving as chair of the Oklahoma Academy for State Goals, the Tulsa Commission on the Concerns of the Disabled, a graduate of Leadership Oklahoma and Leadership Tulsa.

OLTA looks forward to working with Commissioner Holland in the coming weeks and months ahead.