Lesley Kastner
Dixon
Summary
Dynamic Senior Escrow Officer with extensive experience at H.B. Wilkinson Title Company, excelling in escrow management and regulatory compliance. Proven track record in enhancing operational efficiency and fostering strong relationships with real estate professionals. Skilled in conflict resolution and training, ensuring seamless multi-state transactions and exceptional customer satisfaction.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Escrow Officer
H.B. Wilkinson Title Company
Dixon
04.2021 - Current
- Developed and maintained professional relationships with real estate agents, lenders, and attorneys to facilitate efficient transactions.
- Promoted first-time-right and on-time mentality to eliminate errors and rework, resulting in satisfied customers with no surprises.
- Provided training and guidance to junior escrow officers and support staff.
- Mastered escrow process, title process, financial transactions, company policies and procedures and regulatory requirements.
- Verified that all parties involved had signed necessary documents before releasing funds.
- Prepared detailed closing statements, highlighting all transaction costs and disbursements.
Financial Aid Advisor
Sauk Valley Community College
Dixon
11.2019 - 04.2021
- Assisted with completing FAFSA forms and other related paperwork.
- Provided one-on-one counseling to students regarding financial aid program options and requirements.
- Updated client account information and records in company databases.
- Responded promptly to inquiries from students regarding their financial aid packages.
Senior Escrow Officer
Great American Title Company
Osage Beach
11.2016 - 11.2019
- Communicated regularly with lenders to update them on progress throughout the transaction process.
- Prepared and reviewed closing documents including HUD-1 Settlement Statements for accuracy and compliance.
- Investigated clear title issues or liens that could affect ownership rights or encumber property sale.
- Prepared detailed closing statements, highlighting all transaction costs and disbursements.
- Closed purchase transactions in multi-state, high-volume environment and satisfied customer expectations by meeting timelines and communicating proactively.
Escrow Manager
Kenzley Title Group, Inc
Dixon
06.2004 - 10.2016
- Facilitated the disbursement of funds and documents according to escrow instructions.
- Monitored progress of each escrow transaction until completion ensuring deadlines are met.
- Reviewed contracts, commitments and orders to prepare for closing and assembled documents to prepare files and facilitate smooth final transactions.
- Conducted post-closing follow-ups to ensure satisfactory completion of all escrow transactions.
- Prepared closing documents with care to eliminate errors or delays in processes.
- Assisted in the development and implementation of escrow policies and procedures to improve operational efficiency.
- Coordinated with internal departments such as Accounting and Human Resources when needed.
- Verified accuracy of documents such as deeds, titles, loan applications and appraisals before finalizing a transaction.
- Attended conferences and seminars related to industry standards for best practices in Escrow Management.
- Provided training and guidance to junior escrow officers and support staff.
- Consulted with title department to resolve tax liens, boundary disputes and encroachments.
- Made public relations calls, attended industry-related functions and earned word-of-mouth recommendations.
- Ordered title reports for issuing title insurance, identified and resolved title defects and satisfied existing liens and encumbrances against property or principals.
- Listened carefully to customer complaints and swiftly resolved issues by taking appropriate action.
- Guided training team to build training material and job aids to replicate property transaction knowledge and standardize processes.
- Assisted in training new employees on departmental procedures related to escrow services.
- Ensured compliance with the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) and other relevant laws.
- Prepared and reviewed closing documents including HUD-1 Settlement Statements for accuracy and compliance.
- Managed escrow process from opening to closing, ensuring timely and compliant transactions.
- Developed and maintained professional relationships with real estate agents, lenders, and attorneys to facilitate efficient transactions.
Education
High School Diploma -
Longmont High School
Longmont, CO05-2000
Some College (No Degree) - Accounting and Finance
Sauk Valley Community College
Dixon, ILSkills
- Escrow management
- Title insurance
- Document preparation
- Closing statement preparation
- Regulatory compliance
- Conflict resolution
- Relationship building
- Training and mentoring
- Attention to detail
- Time management
- Problem solving
- Process improvement
- Multi-state transactions
- Industry networking
- Customer service
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Senior Escrow Officer
H.B. Wilkinson Title Company
04.2021 - Current
Financial Aid Advisor
Sauk Valley Community College
11.2019 - 04.2021
Senior Escrow Officer
Great American Title Company
11.2016 - 11.2019
Escrow Manager
Kenzley Title Group, Inc
06.2004 - 10.2016
High School Diploma -
Longmont High School
Some College (No Degree) - Accounting and Finance
Sauk Valley Community College