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Bartlesville resident Owen Harper recently received the "Bill Gill Memorial Award — Title Person of the Year" at the Oklahoma Land Title Association annual convention in Tulsa. The award is named after a former state and national president of the association, who set the standard for excellence in the title industry. The award is presented each year to the person who has gone above the call of duty time after time for the title industry.

During the awards presentation, the 2005 Bill Gill "Title Person of the Year" Award winner Ken McDowell said this year's winner was someone who has "...a passion for the industry, consistent hard work, a desire to serve, confidence and a strong leader, are all words that describe tonight's winner."

Harper began his life in western Oklahoma. During second grade his family moved to Bartlesville where his father took over the management of Musselman Abstract Company.

In 1957, his father, F. Earl Harper, purchased Southern Abstract Company. During grade school, the younger Harper began working part-time at the abstract company, originally performing janitorial duties. He continued to work for the company each summer until he graduated from high school. He attended Oklahoma Military Academy during his freshman and sophomore high school years, returning to College-High to complete his high school years.

During his senior year at Northeastern Oklahoma State University (NSU) at Tahlequah, Harper was "asked" to join the US Army. Following a year of training, he spent 364 days in Vietnam and was discharged in August 1971, returning to Bartlesville. He began work full-time for the company, and has been there since.

OLTA is going to the
"Show Me" State
July 14-15, 2006

It's time to plan your trip to the OLTA 2006 Summer Meeting. This year's meeting is going to be held July 14-15, 2006, at the beautiful Chateau on the Lake Resort Spa & Convention Center located outside of Branson, Missouri. OLTA will enjoy the modern services and amenities blended with the classic old-world opulence in this beautiful "Castle in the Ozarks," not to mention learn a little in the continuing education class and fun familystyle social events.

From the moment you step into the stunning 10-story atrium lobby, you will experience the level of luxury and professional service that makes Chateau on the Lake such an exceptional destination resort spa and convention center.

OLTA will enjoy this "Show Me State" resort and all the comforts of home at this luxurious urban retreat only minutes from Main Street Branson, Missouri. For more information on Branson and its surrounding attractions, please visit www.explorebranson.com.

And, did we mention golf? Golf arrangements can be made at any of the five nearby 18-hole courses by calling the hotel directly at 888.333.5253.

Plan now on attending the 2006 OLTA Summer Meeting. Just log on to the OLTA website to make your meeting reservation now. Or you can mail your registration form to the OLTA office at 6301 N. Western, Suite 120, Oklahoma City, OK 73116. For room reservations, you may call the hotel directly at 888.333.5253.