"We are looking to capitalize on the contacts and the reputationwe have," says Bruce Stern, vice president of new businessdevelopment for Madison Commercial's group of companies. The otheraffiliates are Madison Exchange LLC, dedicated to 1031 trades;LeaseProbe LLC, a commercial lease abstracting, review and duediligence service for all deal levels; and Madison Abstract Inc., abroad-based operation aimed at all real estate professionals.

Madison Commercial has named Geneva Balch as commercial escrowofficer for the office's ground-building. Balch spent nearly sixyears with Fidelity Commercial Services in North Dallas. Althoughshe's soloing right now, the plan is to add to the team to quicklyramp up the black book of commercial transactions for Madison's21st licensed state. "It's going to be a challenge," Balch says,adding she's working on the marketing strategy to get thenortheastern name onto the street.

Madison Title, with more than 150 employees and eight in-houseattorneys, is considered one of the largest in its industry in NewYork and New Jersey. The Texas office, situated at 5700 W. PlanoPkwy., is "piggybacking on the real estate presence that we'vebuilt in the past five years," Stern tells GlobeSt.com. "We arefocusing the DFW operation on catering to high-end, sophisticatedcommercial clients."