The American Land Title Association, the national trade association representing members of the land title insurance industry, announced that Frank Pellegrini has been named president of the association for the 2012-2013 year.
 
“It is a privilege to represent an industry whose purpose is to protect consumers against legal challenges to their homeownership and ensure they receive an efficient and compliant real estate settlement experience,” said Pellegrini, founder and chief executive officer of Oak Park, Ill.-based Prairie Title Services Inc. “I am honored to serve as president of a growing and vibrant association, now representing more than 4,100 member companies. The American Land Title Association is committed to constantly improving its representation and service to our industry.”
 
The 11-member ALTA Board of Governors is responsible for creating association policy, managing the financial health of the association and ensuring the overall welfare of the association.
 
Pellegrini has practiced law and been involved in the title insurance industry since 1976. He joined Chicago Title Insurance Co. in 1978 as an examiner before launching his own law firm, Pellegrini & Cristiano, in 1980. Three years later, he opened Prairie Title with his wife, Mary, in Oak Park, Ill., in response to a recognized need in a niche market area.
 
In addition to serving on multiple ALTA committees, Pellegrini is a member of the American, Illinois, Chicago and West Suburban bar associations and the Justinian Society of Lawyers. He served as the 2004-2005 president of the Illinois Land Title Association.
 
“Frank is the right person to lead our association through the challenges we currently face. His talents as a title insurance executive are well regarded throughout the industry and he inspires confidence as we work to better serve consumers,” said Michelle Korsmo, chief executive officer of ALTA.
 
Pellegrini graduated from DePaul University College of Commerce in 1973 with a bachelor’s degree in economics. He earned his juris doctorate from DePaul University College of Law in 1976. Pellegrini and his wife, Mary, have lived in Oak Park for 35 years.

Members of ALTA’s 2012-2013 Board of Governors are:
President: Frank Pellegrini (Oak Park, Illinois)
President-Elect: Rob Chapman (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Treasurer: Peter Birnbaum (Chicago, Illinois)
Chair of Finance Committee: Dan Mennenoh (Galena, Illinois)
Agents Section Chair: Diane Evans (Denver, Colorado)
Agents Section Representative: Bill Burding (Santa Ana, California)
Agents Section Representative: Herschel Beard (Madill, Oklahoma)
Underwriters Section Chair: John Hollenbeck (Santa Ana, California)
Underwriters Section Representative: Steven Day (Jacksonville, Florida)
Underwriters Section Representative: Stewart Morris Jr. (Houston, Texas)
Immediate Past President: Chris Abbinante (Jacksonville, Florida)