Shona Phipps
Duluth
Summary
Title Production Professional with 20+ years of title experience. Familiar with standard and complex concepts, practices and procedures within the title industry, from order entry through final policy. Offering strong foundation in analytical thinking and problem-solving. Ready to use and develop skills and research capabilities in [Desired Position] role.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Title Production Manager, Senior Title Examiner, Senior Abstracter, Closing Agent, Notary Public (MN & WI)
The Title Team Formerly North Shore Title
06.2016 - Current
- Led cross-functional teams to implement process improvements and optimize resource allocation.
- Streamlined production workflows to enhance operational efficiency and reduce turn-times.
- Developed training opportunities for staff to enhance skill sets.
- Established quality control measures that improved product consistency and reduced defects.
- Mentored junior staff members on best practices in title production, cultivating a skilled team capable of tackling complex projects.
- Fostered a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging open communication between team members and regularly soliciting feedback on operational procedures.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure timely delivery of high-quality products according to customer requirements.
- Collaborated with upper management to align goals and processes with overall business objectives and market demands.
- Resolved issues quickly to maintain productivity goals.
- Managed multiple projects concurrently, ensuring timely completion and meeting or exceeding customer expectations. .
- Increased overall productivity by identifying bottlenecks in the production process and implementing effective solutions.
- Managed internal operational standards and productivity targets.
- Led transition to paperless office, reducing operational costs and environmental impact.
- Sourced file volume to keep up with production goals and meet customer demands.
- Created streamlined schedules and collaborated with production employees to communicate objectives and goals.
- Conducted root cause analysis on production issues, devising corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
- Partnered with leadership on recruiting, hiring and coaching production personnel.
- Developed a comprehensive training program for new hires, resulting in higher employee retention rates and faster integration into the team.
- Spearheaded process improvements that led to reduced cycle times, allowing for increased output without additional manpower or investment.
- Enhanced workflow processes to improve turnaround times on transaction completions.
- Organized and executed quarterly staff training sessions, keeping team informed on latest industry and underwriting protocols and standards.
- Evaluated staff performance and provided coaching to address inefficiencies.
Zoning Administrator
Lakewood Township
05.2016 - 09.2023
- Managed administrative operations, ensuring compliance with township policies and regulations.
- Developed and implemented filing systems to enhance document retrieval efficiency.
- Executed strategic initiatives to improve operational workflows, reducing administrative bottlenecks.
- Handled sensitive information discreetly, maintaining strict confidentiality at all times as required by company policy or legal regulations.
- Supervised administrative support staff members, offering guidance, feedback, and mentorship that contributed to their professional growth and development.
- Established an organized filing system that streamlined document retrieval and reduced misplaced files.
Corporate and Real Estate Paralegal
Hanft Fride, PA
07.2016 - 05.2017
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of real estate laws and regulations, offering informed guidance to clients in complex situations.
- Assisted clients in understanding complex legal documents by providing clear explanations and answering questions promptly.
- Prepared legal property descriptions for use in transactions.
- Assisted in resolving disputes related to property boundaries or ownership claims by conducting thorough research and analysis.
- Prepared legal documents such as deeds, mortgages, and leases to facilitate smooth real estate transactions.
- Assisted in preparing legal briefs and memos for real estate litigation cases.
- Managed document organization and maintained case files for efficient retrieval.
- Conducted thorough title searches and examinations, mitigating potential risks and discrepancies.
- Organized contracts and closing documents for purchases.
- Reviewed and interpreted site plans, maps, and surveys.
- Researched statutes, decisions, legal articles, and codes.
- Collaborated with attorneys to develop strategies for each case.
- Researched and analyzed legal issues and cases to provide accurate advice to clients.
Vice President, Closing Agent, Title Examiner, Abstractor & Notary Public
National Title-Duluth, Inc.
03.2009 - 03.2016
- Managed day to day business operations, including budget management, accounts payable and receivable, and staffing.
- Led strategic initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and streamline title processing workflows.
- Mentored executive team, fostering leadership skills and driving organizational growth through effective decision-making.
- Developed and implemented policies to ensure compliance with regulatory standards in title services.
- Abstracting, legal research and title examination and risk assessment of real property records for commercial and residential, refinances and sales/purchases.
- Drafted closing documents, title documents and other legal documents within the scope of title insurance practices.
- Coordinated with customers for efficient closing of each transaction.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to improve client satisfaction and reduce turnaround times for services.
- Led cross-functional teams for the successful completion of major projects, resulting in increased efficiency and client satisfaction.
- Managed financial planning and budgeting processes, ensuring fiscal responsibility.
- Volunteered to help with special projects of varying degrees of complexity.
- Planned and coordinated logistics and materials for meetings and staff events.
- Enhanced client understanding of notarization processes by conducting detailed closings.
Education
SHRM Certification - Leadership
University Wisconsin Superior
Superior, WI01-2025
Master of Science - Criminology
Kaplan University
Davenport, IA05-2008
Bachelors of Science - Paralegal & Criminal Justice
Minnesota State University Moorhead
Moorhead, MN01.2005
Certificate - Massage Therapy
Professional Institute of Massage Therapy
Fargo, ND01.2000
Skills
- Operations management
- Underwriting guidelines
- Team leadership
- Decision-making
- Complex Problem-solving
- Staff training and development
- Records analysis & property research
- Industry expertise
- Python programming
Accomplishments
- Supervised team of 11 staff members.
Affiliations
- American Land Title Association
- Minnesota Land Title Association
- Order of Eastern Star
Certification
- Minnesota Resident Title Insurance Producer
- Wisconsin Non-Resident Title Insurance Producer
- North Dakota Non-Resident Title Insurance Producer
- Abstractor
- Closing Agent
- Minnesota Notary Public
- Wisconsin Notary Public
Timeline
Corporate and Real Estate Paralegal
Hanft Fride, PA
07.2016 - 05.2017
Title Production Manager, Senior Title Examiner, Senior Abstracter, Closing Agent, Notary Public (MN & WI)
The Title Team Formerly North Shore Title
06.2016 - Current
Zoning Administrator
Lakewood Township
05.2016 - 09.2023
Vice President, Closing Agent, Title Examiner, Abstractor & Notary Public
National Title-Duluth, Inc.
03.2009 - 03.2016
SHRM Certification - Leadership
University Wisconsin Superior
Master of Science - Criminology
Kaplan University
Bachelors of Science - Paralegal & Criminal Justice
Minnesota State University Moorhead
Certificate - Massage Therapy
Professional Institute of Massage Therapy