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At Clear Title, our management team is defined by experience in not only the Title and Escrow business, but in bringing out the best in our team members. We strive to build a balance of work and family life, personal and professional development and team participation that results in uncompromising Title and Escrow services for our customers…day in and day out.
Patterson was born and raised in Chandler, Arizona, and attended Chandler High School before earning a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Arizona, with emphases in Spanish, English, and Business.
After graduation, Patterson returned to Chandler and joined ProLink, Inc., a start-up engineering firm focused on Global Positioning Systems (GPS) applications. He played a key role in launching the nationwide distribution of its products and supported fundraising efforts that fueled the company’s rapid growth until it went public in 2001. That same year, Patterson left ProLink to pursue his own venture, founding CourthouseData in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The company provided real estate information, title plant, and title research services to more than 150 customers across 35 states before being acquired by Data Trace, a subsidiary of First American Corporation, in 2005.
In 2006, Patterson founded Clear Title Agency of Arizona, where he has served as Chief Executive Officer ever since. Under his leadership, the company has steadily grown its market share, operating title and escrow branches throughout the Phoenix area while serving clients statewide. In 2023, Clear Title expanded further by acquiring the operating assets of First Arizona Title, uniting two respected, locally owned firms. This strategic move elevated Clear Title to 7th out of 219 in the Arizona market. The company has been recognized on the Inc. 5000 list of Fastest Growing Companies multiple times and has been named one of the Top Companies to Work for in Arizona for thirteen consecutive years. Additionally, Clear Title ranks in the top 1% of all 5,000 First American agents nationwide.
Beyond his business accomplishments, Patterson is deeply committed to family and community. He has served on the board of the Boys and Girls Club of the Valley since 2012, where he is currently Vice Chairman. He is also an active member of Greater Phoenix Leadership, the former Board Chairman of the Valleywise Health Foundation, and a supporter of Stand for Children and Habitat for Humanity. Patterson is a proud father of three and lives in Phoenix with his beloved wife Elda, also an Arizona native.
Mr. Clifford has over 33 years of experience in all facets of the title insurance and settlement services industry. Mr. Clifford began his career at US Life Title Insurance Company in 1978. US Life Title was a large American Insurance Corporation that carried multiple lines of insurance products, including title insurance dating back to the 1970’s. US Life Title later sold its title insurance division to a consortium of savings and loans banks, which became known as Title USA based in Phoenix, Arizona. The Arizona division of Title USA was purchased by its local management in 1984 and the Company was then renamed to United Title Agency. Mr. Clifford rose to the position of Vice President during his tenure with US Life Title, Title USA & United Title and remained with the Company until it was sold in 1995. In 1996, Mr. Clifford and long-time colleague and business partner Nick Velimirovich, joined Capital Title Group (NASDAQ: CTGI) to open a division of Capital Title Agency of Arizona in Maricopa County. During a seven year span from 1996 to 2003, Jim was instrumental in growing the Maricopa County division of Capital Title to include twenty four branch locations with annual revenues exceeding $20MM.
In 2003 Mr. Clifford accepted a position with First American Title Insurance Corporation, as President of the Arizona division of The Talon Group. The Talon Group was established as part of First American’s separate branding initiative to increase market share nationally. Starting with only three branches, Jim was successful in growing the Talon Group’s operations in Arizona to include 14 locations, with over $24,000,000.00 in annual revenues.
In January of 2011, Mr. Clifford joined Clear Title of Arizona as the President, Chief Operating Officer and a Principal partner in the Company.
Jim has previously served on the Arizona Mortgage Bankers Association, and is a member of the Land Title Association of Arizona.
Nick Velimirovich is a seasoned title and escrow professional with over 30 years in the title insurance industry. Nick started his career in 1974 at US Life Title Insurance Company in Phoenix, Arizona in the Customer Service Department.
Over the next 22 years, Nick rose to the position of Arizona District Manager and Vice President for US Life Title and its predecessor United Title Agency. In 1996, after the sale of United Title, Nick teamed with his long-time colleague and business partner Jim Clifford to join Capital Title Group (NASDAQ: CTGI) and open a division of Capital Title Agency of Arizona in Maricopa County.
During a seven year span from 1996 to 2003, Nick was instrumental in growing the Maricopa County division of Capital Title to include twenty four branch locations with annual revenues exceeding $20MM.
In 2003 Nick, who had become recognized as industry leader, joined the Talon Group (a division of First American Title Insurance Company) as Chief Executive Officer of their Arizona operations. Starting with only three branches, Nick was successful in growing the Talon Group’s operations in Arizona to include 14 locations, with over $24,000,000.00 in annual revenues.
In January of 2011, Nick joined Clear Title of Arizona Nick has previously served on the Arizona Mortgage Bankers Association, and is a member of the Land Title Association of Arizona.as the Chief Financial Officer and a Principal partner in the Company.
Chassity Burks has been with Clear Title since 2007 supporting the general operations of the Company including operational accounting, escrow accounting, human resources, training, IT and facilities support. Prior to joining Clear Title, Mrs. Burks was with Hibernia National Bank from 1997 through 2005 serving in market operations as the Branch Operations Manager and Trainer. Her responsibilities included the training of all employees with creation of training materials for both new hire classes and continuing education classes. She also assisted with opening and setup of new branch offices as well as providing audit support and other operational support. From 2005 through 2007 she was a Senior Business Analyst at Fidelity National Information Systems. As a subject matter expert she assisted with the creation of training manuals and materials for software. Also, offered clients support with custom end user manuals and implementation strategies for the software.
Mike Winters began his career in the title insurance industry as an ambitious 18 year old in 1988 as a courier. As the years passed he gracefully worked his way up within the field through the ranks of front desk, assistant escrow officer, and assistant branch manager. It was in these positions he obtained an education of escrow and closing processes. He swiftly developed a keen sense of the exceptional customer service required to build and maintain solid customer relationships. Mike is proud to say several of the relationships with clients made back in the mid 1990’s are still with him today.
Mike has remained firmly rooted with the same upper management team throughout acquisitions and company startups including, ATI Title, Capital Title and The Talon Group, a division of First American Title. Remaining steadfast, and having great successes in spite of some of the most volatile markets that Arizona real estate has experienced over the last decade, he has continued to prove himself a leader in the escrow industry. As of early 2011, Mike joined forces with Clear Title where he currently serves as Vice President of East Valley Operations.
Mike married his beloved wife Nikki in 1990. In January of 1991 their son Jacob was born, followed by their daughter Marni in October of 1992. The Winter’s family is no stranger to an active and fast-paced lifestyle. They spent many years enjoying winter trips to the Sand Dunes and attending Jacob and Marni’s water sports competitions in the summer. Both Jacob and Mari married in 2012 and the Winter’s welcomed their granddaughter Lydia to the family in August 2015.
Brandy Kirby brings over 30 years of experience to her leadership role as Executive Vice President. She is responsible for overseeing quality standards and regulatory compliance of the company’s escrow operations.
Additionally, she leads the central processing unit, fulfilling procedural functions needed to open new escrow orders and increase the quality of service to customers.
Her dedication to providing customers the highest quality escrow service has led to a career highlighted by continuous advancement. Originally from Colorado, Brandy moved to Arizona in 1990 and began working as an Escrow Secretary. She quickly elevated her position to Branch Manager and grew several branch locations for numerous title agencies.
Recently, as an Executive Vice President, Brandy led the company’s effort to design, engineer, and implement a customized production software. She now oversees the ongoing operation and maintenance of the software.
Gabe Rushing is a marketing and public affairs professional with over 15 years of experience working with Fortune 500 Companies, Health Systems and Health Care Providers, National Trade organizations, Political Candidates, and Government Agencies to spearhead and execute marketing campaigns while leveraging the communication opportunities created by technology.
Previously serving as the Director of Marketing and Communications for Meritus, Gabe’s responsibilities included planning, development and implementation of the health plan’s marketing, member engagement, public relations and communications strategies with primary emphasis on membership growth and retention
Additionally, Gabe’s experience includes works as the Marketing and Public Relations Manager for Maricopa Integrated Health System and was responsible for creative direction and management of the health systems’ overall marketing efforts, web platforms and digital marketing strategies.
Prior to working for the Maricopa Integrated Health System, Gabe served as the Senior Account Manager for IWS, a marketing agency with Arizona and DC offices. In that role Gabe directed marketing strategies and daily deliverables for large clients including; Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold, The US Chamber of Commerce, First Things First, Maricopa Integrated Health System, Mercy Maricopa, and Home Assist Health. Gabe is a native Arizonan and a graduate of Arizona State University with a degree in Political Science and Public Relations.
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