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

"I've been slowly picking off what I consider to be the key people from my competitors," Thomas Garner, vice president and regional manager for Chicago Title's southwest region, tells GlobeSt.com. Five years ago, he took over the helm after 20 title specialists bailed and headed to a competitor's camp. "I previously was looked at as kind of an upstart. With each year, I've added more people," he says. "It's pretty evident now in the market that we clearly are a competitor." He says Wheeler's hiring "sent a very strong message to the marketplace. She is my latest victory....and a shining star."

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