Joining Chicago Title as senior vice president is Leslie B.Wheeler, who exited the same role at Republic Title after a 10-yearstint. Wheeler, who brought an assistant with her, pushes ChicagoTitle's head count to 42. Execs for Plano-based Republic Titleweren't available for comment prior to publication.

"I've been slowly picking off what I consider to be the keypeople from my competitors," Thomas Garner, vice president andregional manager for Chicago Title's southwest region, tellsGlobeSt.com. Five years ago, he took over the helm after 20 titlespecialists bailed and headed to a competitor's camp. "I previouslywas looked at as kind of an upstart. With each year, I've addedmore people," he says. "It's pretty evident now in the market thatwe clearly are a competitor." He says Wheeler's hiring "sent a verystrong message to the marketplace. She is my latest victory....anda shining star."

Garner says he placed his first call to Wheeler about threeyears ago; she didn't call back. His perseverance, though,eventually paid off. "The timing was right," Wheeler explains, "togo to a company that's growing."