AmTrust Expands Operations In Texas

4/10/17

Randy Elkins and E. D. Lester

Two Veteran Professionals Join to Accelerate Growth throughout the State

AmTrust Title Insurance Company announced today Randy Elkins and E. D. Lester have joined the company to spearhead corporate growth throughout the State of Texas and will be implementing a wide variety of real estate strategies in support of corporate and financial objectives.

“We are very excited to welcome Randy and Ed aboard to expand AmTrust’s footprint in the great State of Texas, a crucial region for us in the Southwest,” said Steven Napolitano, senior executive vice president of AmTrust Title’s operations. “Both are extremely talented, creative, well-known and respected leaders in the industry with many years of experience. We are confident, given their respective track records, connections and achievements, that Randy and Ed will heighten awareness of our brand locally throughout the region.”

As Managing Director/Counsel-Texas Operations, Mr. Elkins’ primary responsibilities are to establish offices in Houston, Dallas and Austin and to oversee AmTrust’s organic growth across the State. In his four-decade career filled with banking, legal, real estate and entrepreneurial experience, Mr. Elkins has focused on commercial real estate transactions, complex creditor-debtor relationships, start-up ventures and business planning/strategy.

Immediately prior to joining AmTrust, Mr. Elkins held positions with Stewart Title, including Senior Vice President, Counsel & Division Manager at Stewart Title Company and Vice President at Stewart Title Guaranty Company. Before that, Mr. Elkins practiced law as Special Counsel at HughesWattersAskanase and as partner at the national law firm of Baker & Hostetler. He launched his professional career with Texas Commerce Bank and left as a Vice President of Commercial Lending to pursue his legal career.

Mr. Elkins earned a BBA in Finance from Texas Tech University and a JD from South Texas College of Law. He is a member of both the Texas and Houston Bar Associations and while practicing law, he held the designation of Board Certification- Commercial Real Estate (now inactive). He holds board positions on the Houston West Chamber of Commerce, Commerce Funding Group, the Houston Small Business Advisory Group and the University of Houston C.T. Bauer College of Business Real Estate Program.

A respected leader in the title insurance industry, as Vice President-Texas Operations, Mr. Lester’s focus at AmTrust is to establish AmTrust’s agency network and to support client relations and business development efforts for AmTrust’s direct operations.

Before joining AmTrust, Mr. Lester retired after a 34-year career with Stewart Title Company serving as Group Senior Vice President overseeing their title operations in South Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. During his tenure with Stewart Title, Mr. Lester was instrumental in the development of their property tax service company and in expanding the title insurance operations into Mexico. Having served as Chairman/CEO of Stewart Title of Houston during the late 80’s and early 90’s, Mr. Lester is adept at expanding markets and growing revenues. A decorated Vietnam War veteran awarded the Purple Heart, Mr. Lester has served on multiple boards, committees and foundations. Among his many professional affiliations, he currently serves as Trustee Emeritus of the Houston Realty Business Coalition, Board of Directors of Former Texas Ranger Foundation and Lifetime Vice President of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

About AmTrust Title Insurance Company

AmTrust Title is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. is a multi-national insurer, offering specialty property and casualty insurance products, including workers' compensation, commercial automobile, general liability and extended service and warranty coverage. The AmTrust Group of Insurance carriers are rated “A” (Excellent), FSC “XIV” by A.M. Best Company, and AmTrust Title was recently rated “A-“(Excellent) by A.M. Best Company and “A” (Exceptional) by Demotech. For AmTrust Title, this combination of strong financial backing and advanced technology translates into immediate strength for real estate clients.

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