Mark Lewis was in middle school when Edwards Abstract and Title Co. established its corporate office in Edinburg in 2007. After graduating from Edinburg High School, he enrolled at the University of Texas at San Antonio and obtained his business degree. Today, he serves as president of Edwards Abstract and Title Co.
“The goal was always to be in the title industry,” Lewis said.
After graduating from UTSA, Lewis worked for Stewart Title in San Antonio for five years, starting as an escrow assistant and becoming one of the company’s top closers. He returned to the Valley in 2019, joining Edwards Abstract and Title Co. first as an escrow officer and later as McAllen branch manager and vice president of operations. At 30, he became the youngest person in Texas to earn all three title certifications from the Texas Land Title Association: Certified Title Insurance Professional, Certified Escrow Settlement Professional, and Certified Abstract Examination Professional. He also holds the National Title Professional designation from the American Land Title Association.
In January, Lewis was appointed president of Edwards Abstract and Title Co. He has a three-part vision for the company: enhance efficiency, support employees, and preserve the company’s legacy. This involves connecting the company’s rich history with future goals, identifying areas for improvement, and streamlining processes. Throughout these efforts, he emphasizes maintaining a positive company culture and ensuring a healthy work-life balance.
“We have some of the best people in the business,” Lewis said. “We want to make sure they have what they need to succeed. Take care of them and they’ll take care of you. I think it’s the people that make the company.”
One of the first things Lewis implemented as president was a move toward becoming paperless. Edwards Abstract and Title Co. has a warehouse full of files because Texas Department of Insurance regulations require title policies to be kept indefinitely. Other documents, such as disbursements and audits, only need to be retained for three years, but can be useful in future closings. Technology allows these files to be stored electronically, saving money on printing and storage.
“We are not 100% paperless yet but have made large strides,” Lewis said. “We are reducing the amount of paper in each file, and when the file is complete, originals are mailed out, an electronic copy of the file is securely stored, and the file is shredded. During this change, we proactively upgraded our cloud servers and cloud security to offer better protection, and I can confidently say we have the best security for our data storage and day-to-day systems.”
Edwards Abstract and Title Co. was the first title company in the Rio Grande Valley to offer fully online, electronic closings and document signing. When COVID-19 hit, the ability to securely close transactions on someone’s phone or laptop — or sign a power of attorney or affidavit electronically — opened up the possibility of closing deals quickly and conveniently.
“In some cases, people prefer to close in person at our office,” Lewis said. “In other cases, frequent investors or people with busy professions, such as doctors, would prefer to sign electronically in the comfort of their home after dinner, and we want to accommodate that.”
Title companies are often targets of fraud, including fake wire transfer instructions or someone pretending to be the property owner. Edwards Abstract and Title Co. was the first in the Valley to implement wire fraud and ID verification software, allowing them to verify IDs, confirm payoff accounts in real time, and request wire instructions through a secure portal.
“To verify someone’s ID, they scan their driver’s license, CHL, passport, etc., and the system confirms the ID is not fake or counterfeit,” Lewis said.
Many people do not understand the importance of the title industry and title insurance, Lewis said. Title insurance was created after a court battle in 1876, where a buyer suffered a significant loss on a property with an undisclosed lien. Edwards Abstract and Title Co. was founded just 4 years later in 1880, making it the second-oldest title company in the state of Texas. Title insurance protects the buyer from unforeseen issues such as a lien that doesn’t get paid off or someone missing in the chain of ownership. Title companies also catch, collect, and pay liens against sellers that are unrelated to the property, such as child support.
“You can’t fully eliminate risk, but we go back and look at the whole chain,” Lewis said. “Not all companies have these extensive resources, so we have one of the lowest claim rates in the industry because so much work is done up front. I appreciate every closing at Edwards and I truly believe our end product is different — that a policy from us means more.”
Title companies in Texas operate under strict regulations set by the Texas Department of Insurance. One notable aspect of this industry is that all title companies in the state charge uniform fees, which emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships with clients. To enhance customer service, Lewis has introduced comprehensive training for all employees across the company, including an annual training focused primarily on customer service.
“I believe we have the right mix of experience that knows how to get the deal done, with youth coming up and learning for the next generation,” Lewis said. “There’s big career potential and experience in this business.”
As president of Edwards Abstract and Title Co., Lewis applies lessons learned throughout his career to enhance efficiency. His goal is to remain proactive and committed to continuous improvement.
