Welcome to the very first episode of “Marissa On The Record” my new 2026 interview series exploring the world of due diligence, from title and banking to real estate, and everything in between!
I’m Marissa Berends, Certified Abstractor and Industry Relations Coordinator at Capitol Lien Records & Research, where we provide nationwide due diligence services for attorneys, lenders, title companies, and underwriters. With experience researching real estate records across the country, my goal is to break down complex industry topics into conversations that are informative, approachable, and even a little fun.
For special Episode 001, we are kicking off with a very dear friend of mine, Brandt Keefe! Brandt is VP, Agency Area Manager for Stewart Title Guaranty Company. Brandt became my first friend in the industry, as I began traveling for conventions and educational opportunities. Brandt happened to be everywhere I was!
Now, I’ve come to expect his bright, smiling face at just about every event I attend. With nearly 30 years of experience, he knows this industry inside and out and has a knack for making even the most complex topics enjoyable & engaging.
Read on for our conversation, and if you are not already a member, please do yourself and Brandt a favor and register to become a member of the Title Action Network (TAN) through the American Land Title Association (ALTA).
Brandt Keefe Interview Questions – January 2026
VP, Agency Area Manager
Stewart Title Guaranty Company
- If someone asked you what being an agency sales manager actually means, how would you explain it without the corporate jargon?
Ha, I actually started answering with the “corporate jargon”! The easy answer is I am, through Stewart Title Guaranty, a supporting Partner to our Independent Agency Network for all things related to the sale of Title Insurance (Corporate has a long paragraph!). Stewart grows by helping our current Agents grow along with signing new agents and working that process with them.
- What’s one misconception people have about title sales that you wish would disappear forever?
The idea that all things related to Settlement and Title Insurance in the Real Estate Transaction are Junk Fees. We need to get our story out as to the value we bring and the problems we solve prior to any Real Estate Settlement. The American Land Title Association’s Advocacy efforts through TAN and TIPAC are helping our industry immensely! We need more people in the industry to participate in both TAN and TIPAC to help ALTA and make our voice louder locally and nationally.
- Title issues can be… dramatic. What’s one challenge you see clients struggle with that you think deserves more airtime?
Easy! A better understanding of everything that happens behind the scenes from Order Entry to Policy out. Unfortunately, and fortunately, we are only remembered when there are issues. Through the efforts between Agents and Underwriters, solving title issues is what we do! If we didn’t, there would be no need for us! What goes on behind the scenes definitely needs more airtime.
- Stewart is known for being relationship-driven. What does that look like in action from your perspective?
Title Agents don’t need another underwriter that entertains them. They need a true partner that understands and can help them. I heard this a while ago from Stewart Leadership and it really sums up what we do and how I move forward.
- How do you build long-term loyalty with independent agents in a highly competitive space?
As Title Insurance Underwriters go, we all sell the same product, an ALTA Title Insurance Policy. The way to be competitive is how we differentiate ourselves from our competition. Long term loyalty comes from trust, support, and our agents knowing we are here for the long haul. I just started my 34th year in the industry and all with Stewart. I work alongside a Team with the credentials.
- Cold outreach in the title industry is an art form. What’s your opener or your signature approach?
Prospecting is the most unappealing part of sales! We are finding ways at Stewart to make it fun. Sorry, I can’t let you in on the Secret Sauce!
- What’s a client interaction that sticks with you—the good, the bad, or the unexpectedly hilarious?
You always remember the bad and hilarious. I’m laughing to myself right now and will stop there!
- What’s your “non-negotiable” habit that keeps you grounded in a busy sales world?
If it’s not fun, I’m not doing it!
- If someone shadowed you for a day, what about your approach would surprise them most?
That I can actually be serious!
- If you could wave a magic wand and instantly improve one part of the title process for agents, what would you fix first?
Give me a call!
- What’s your personal theme song for getting through a hectic day?
Thunderstruck by ACDC!
- What’s one trend—work, tech, or otherwise—you secretly hope never goes away?
Collaboration and face to face discussions
- As the 2025-2026 ALTA Title Action Network Committee chair, can you decode what TAN does and the benefits of becoming a TAN member?
TAN is our Voice in the Title Industry that promotes the value we bring to the Real Estate transaction. The more members we have, the louder our voice. We need a loud voice! Joining is easy and a no brainer. The benefits of becoming a member are:
It’s Free to join
– You don’t have to be an ALTA member.
– It provides advocacy updates regarding important issues to you.
– Most importantly, it’s the voice that helps keep our jobs!
About the Author
Marissa Berends is a Certified Abstractor and Industry Relations Coordinator at Capitol Lien, a nationwide due diligence and risk mitigation services provider. Since joining the company in September 2021, she has earned abstractor certifications in Minnesota, Nebraska, and North Dakota, and most recently graduated from the Wisconsin Land Title Association’s Title Examiner courses.
Marissa is involved with the following groups: Women in Title (WiT); Wisconsin Land Title Association’s (WLTA) Convention Committee, Membership Committee, and Young Title Professionals; Property Record Industry Association (PRIA) National Education Committee; Illinois Land Title Association’s (ILTA) Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Acceptance (IDEA) Committee; Minnesota Land Title Association’s (MLTA) Education Committee, American Land Title Association’s (ALTA) Title Advisory Network (TAN), Michigan Land Title Association’s (MLTA) New Title Professionals, and the National Association of Land Title Examiners and Abstractors (NALTEA).
About Capitol Lien
Capitol Lien empowers real estate and title professionals with trusted public record research and due diligence services nationwide. With over 30 years of experience, Capitol Lien specializes in fast, accurate property and title searches, lien reports, and document retrieval that help title agents, underwriters, and legal teams operate their businesses with confidence. The Capitol Lien team takes the hassle out of title research with local experts and innovative tools that make it easier to mitigate risk, stay on schedule, and keep your closings moving smoothly.
Learn more at capitollien.com. Ready to simplify your title research? Send your next order to Capitol Lien and experience the difference trusted diligence makes. Stay in touch with Capitol Lien on LinkedIn for industry updates and information. Reach out! contact@capitollien.com or 800-845-4077