American Land Title Association Names Kurt Pfotenhauer as CEO

WASHINGTON--(Business Wire)--The American Land Title Association (ALTA), the national trade
association for the title insurance industry, today announced the
appointment of Kurt Pfotenhauer as chief executive officer, effective
Jan. 7, 2008. Pfotenhauer leaves his position as senior vice president
of government affairs and public policy for the Mortgage Bankers
Association (MBA), which he has held since 2002.

"On behalf of ALTA's Board of Governors, we're pleased that
someone of Kurt's caliber will head up our organization," said Gary
Kermott, president of ALTA and vice chairman of First American Title
Insurance Company. "Kurt's background with a nationally respected real
estate trade association is a natural fit. His proven management and
leadership skills will help us expand our membership base, increase
revenues, enhance member services and strengthen our advocacy
efforts."

As the chief lobbyist for the MBA, Pfotenhauer oversees policy
formation and implementation of legislative and regulatory advocacy on
Capitol Hill in addition to managing the association's relationships
with industry allies, consumer groups, the GSE's and policymakers. He
was named one of the top association lobbyists by The Hill magazine
for the last two consecutive years, specifically credited with
building a high quality team of professional lobbyists at MBA.

Prior to joining MBA, Pfotenhauer served as chief of staff for
U.S. Senator Gordon Smith (R, OR), a position he held from 1996 to
2002. He was with the United Parcel Service from 1991 to 1996, most
recently as vice president of public affairs.

"Kurt is a superb strategist, an excellent manager and a
straight-shooter," said Sen. Smith. "He is respected on both sides of
the aisle, and ALTA is very fortunate to have Kurt at their helm."

"The title insurance industry plays a vital role in the home
buying process and I am extremely honored to have been chosen to head
up its national trade association," said Pfotenhauer. "I look forward
to building upon ALTA's hundred year tradition of excellence and
reinforcing the industry's value proposition among its constituents."

Pfotenhauer received an undergraduate degree from the University
of Notre Dame and a graduate degree from Yale University.

About ALTA

The American Land Title Association, founded in 1907, is a
National trade association representing more than 3,000 title
insurance companies, title agents, independent abstracters, title
searchers, and attorneys. With more than 8,000 offices throughout the
United States, ALTA Members provide services including title searches,
examinations, closings, and insurance that protects real property
owners and mortgage lenders against losses from defects in titles.
ALTA member companies employ well over 100,000 individuals and operate
in every county in the country, and several countries around the
world.

American Land Title Association
Michelle Sweet, Public Relations Consultant, 916-781-3864
Cell: 714-270-9426

Copyright Business Wire 2007