Weekly Real Estate News
Summary
Craig Haskins, CEO of Knight Barry Title, has become ALTA president for the 2026-27 term as title agencies address fraud, cybersecurity and compliance.
Craig Haskins, president and chief executive officer of Knight Barry Title, has become president of the American Land Title Association for the 2026-27 association year, taking over as the industry confronts evolving fraud threats, technology changes and compliance demands.
The association announced the leadership change October 14. Haskins brings more than three decades of experience in title insurance and has led the growth of Milwaukee-based Knight Barry Title across several states.
Haskins has served on ALTA’s Board of Governors and as vice chair of its Best Practices Work Group. His industry service includes leadership roles with state title associations, including a past presidency of the Wisconsin Land Title Association and board service in Florida.
Leadership amid new compliance expectations
The timing is notable. ALTA recently issued Version 5.0 of its Best Practices framework, drawing renewed attention to vendor oversight, information security and operational controls. Industry guidance is not automatically a federal legal mandate, but lenders, underwriters and business partners may use it when evaluating title agencies.
Haskins’ prior work on the Best Practices group puts him in a position to guide discussion of how agencies implement safeguards without overwhelming smaller businesses. ALTA says more than 90% of the companies in the industry are small businesses, a consideration when new systems and training impose costs.
The association also identified technology, fraud prevention and member engagement as priorities. Title and settlement firms are handling increasingly sophisticated impersonation attempts, fraudulent wiring instructions and changing software tools. The challenge is to improve speed without weakening verification and consumer protection.
New board leadership
ALTA’s 2026-27 board includes President-elect Tara Smith of First American Title Insurance Co. and Treasurer Brian Pitman of Independence Title. David A. Townsend of the FNF Family of Companies is immediate past president.
ALTA represents the title insurance and settlement industry, advocating on issues ranging from property rights to consumer protection and regulatory policy. The president leads the association’s elected governance; the role is distinct from ALTA’s full-time executive management.
For agencies and lender partners, the new leadership term begins when fraud prevention and consistent closing standards are especially important. The measurable impact of Haskins’ agenda will emerge through association initiatives and the response of members over the coming year.
