Ted H. Darby, who had been with American Financial Title for the bulk of his 31-year career, is Chicago Title's newest vice president. In the move, Darby has landed at one of his former underwriters and amid business associates of more than two decades.

Darby is best recognized for being one of the forerunners to introducing pro-active marketing into the commercial real estate title transaction, providing hands-on help in everything from research to introducing lenders and investors. He also is a frequent university lecturer and one of three on a steering committee for the Nationwide Title Network, which had launched in January and is in the midst of rolling out a business strategy for title operations from coast to coast and border to border. Also part of the network committee are George Henry of the five-state Title First in Ohio and Bill Burding of Orange Coast Title in California.

Darby tells GlobeSt.com that he had been a free agent for just two weeks after he cashed in his partnership at American Financial Title, which is now Republic Title and a wholly owned subsidiary of First American Title.

Darby says his appointment is just the first of a wave of changes under consideration at Chicago Title. Press releases are forthcoming, he says, careful not to disclose anything too soon. "It's going to be more of an independent entrepreneurial approach in binding with the customer," he says. "Chicago Title has expressed a willingness to explore new ideas and methods to better meet client requirements, and that is exciting." He does say the "9-to-5 mentality" is heading out the door. With that, says Darby, will come more employees to beef up certain areas. Chicago Title, which offices at 2001 Bryan Tower, has about 35 employees in its commercial division.

Darby, a recognized authority on the region's commercial market, says Texas is holding its own in today's economy. "It's not like 1999," he adds, but all major metropolises in the state will continue to prosper and grow this year. He says buyers are becoming more realistic, driving supply and demand "more into balance. There are still some bumps in the road. We're in a bump right now, but we're not in a ditch."