Dancing With Reality

Happy New Year!

First of all, I would like to thank the members of the Installation Committee for making such a spectacular evening for us.  I loved the elegant colors of black and white, with a touch of pink, all tied together in the attention to detail, even down to the black feathers in the flowers!  This group of dedicated escrow professionals consisted of:  Lupe Landeros, Anna Millsap, Tania Kelley, Emily Ochoa, Ann Smith, Dave Shean, and Lois McCauley.  Thank you all!  The evening was so memorable to me and my family.

For those of you who were unable to attend the installation dinner, this was my speech:

In 1997, I presided over this association in a year that I know I did not anticipate doing this again 13 years later.  

Reality is:  I am doing this again to give back to this association.  I joined this association for the education it had to offer to me.  I wanted it and I took it.  But, I got out of it more than just knowledge.  I also gained friendships. 

Reality is:  We are here tonight because we have survived the longest and deepest recession in decades.   There are many people here tonight that have lost a job or two over the past few years.  Me included.  I’m glad I have friends.

Reality is:  We have skills.  But, it’s what we do with those skills that will keep us employed.  We need to hone our skills by keeping up with changes that are happening in our industry.  We do that by belonging to our local escrow association and getting involved. 

Reality is:  This association is an award-winning region.  We are awesome.  In my opinion, we are awesome because of you.  Our members and escrow friends are what make us awesome.  Each one of you gives something.  Whether it is hours and hours of your time, or just being at the meetings exchanging ideas with the person you sit next to.  Whatever it is that you do, it the reason you keep coming back.  And the reason your friends, co-workers, and colleagues, keep coming back.

Reality is:  This is not a reality game show.  This is reality.  We have our careers and our personal experiences that will lead us into what we will be doing next.  I encourage you to join or maintain your membership in this awesome association.  Then, get involved.   

I would like to thank, first of all, my family, Mike, my husband, and Catilia, our daughter, for allowing me to take on this commitment.  I appreciate your support. 

I would like to thank all my co-workers, supervisors, and managers from LandSafe Title for being here to support me:  Carla Senteno, Jeanne Fleishman, Jan McCreary, Donna Inman, Randy Caruso, and Yong Ly.  It is a surprise and a thrill to see all of you here. 

I would like to thank all the past presidents, including the ones that are here tonight:  Randy Caruso, Terri Fabbri, Trudy Swearingen, Sally Adams, Ann Smith, Lois McCauley, Kathy Burnett, and of course, Juliana Tu.  I have had the opportunity to get to know each of you over the years, whether it be in the workplace or on a committee, and I value our friendships.  Each one of you inspires me. 

I also want to thank the incoming board, some are long-time friends and some are new friends:  Teresa Shaver, Emily Ochoa, Janeane Covarrubias, Kathy Burnett, Dino Champagne, Jacqueline Cheou, Tania Kelley, and Juliana Tu.  We will be a good team for this next year.  I want it to be fun and rewarding for every one of you.  

Now that my speech is over, I need to explain to my 4th grade daughter what a metaphor is and why there is no dancing.

Miriam H. Brown, CEO, CSEO, CEI