NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AmTrust Title Insurance today announced the expansion of its Energy Team within its National Commercial Division. The industry leading team will facilitate title insurance transactions for renewable and conventional energy projects, including refineries, LNG facilities and wind and solar farms, along with various other energy related transactions, accounting for some of the largest insured real estate matters in the United States. Lou Canaras and nine others join AmTrust Title in Houston, Texas expanding not only the company’s Energy Division but adding an average of 20 years of general title insurance underwriting and production experience in Texas and the surrounding states.
“This extremely knowledgeable and experienced team was added to address some of the most complicated transactions in the real estate industry, with hundreds of millions of dollars at stake per transaction. A typical energy project presents complex underwriting issues that can involve thousands of acres with acquisition, easement, mineral estate, access, development and project finance challenges. There is no room for error in the transaction process,” said Jason Gordon, President of AmTrust Title Insurance Company, a subsidiary of AmTrust Financial. “This team has successfully insured hundreds of these transactions.”
Canaras will serve as SVP and Underwriter for the Energy Division, responsible for overseeing the team of underwriting, sales and production specialists, including Lynn Babineaux with whom he has worked with for 25 plus years. Over his career, Canaras has gained an unparalleled expertise in underwriting energy related transactions which has allowed him to work with notable industry leaders and successfully insure numerous national and international energy facilities. Prior to joining AmTrust, he served as Senior Vice President, Senior Underwriter and Director at another major title underwriter.
Mellissa Atle will serve as Vice President of the Energy Division and will oversee the work of six dedicated Energy Project Coordinators. Atle has over 9 years of experience in the title industry managing multi-million dollar transactions involving Wind, Solar, LNG, Transmission Lines, and other energy-related sectors. Most recently she served as the Energy Closing Supervisor at Canaras’ former company.
Rob Concepcion will serve as Vice President, Business Development, Energy Division. Concepcion relies on his strong renewable energy development background when helping clients get through the many stages of project development. His recent roles included VP Business Development-Renewables for another underwriter and Real Estate Supervisor for both Sempra U.S. Gas & Power and EGPNA.
Steven Napolitano, President of First Nationwide Title Agency, a subsidiary of AmTrust Financial, said, “Lou’s ability to understand and insure complex transactions is well known throughout the energy industry. Mellissa and Rob have led remarkably successful careers in the energy space, overseeing operations and sales under Lou and forging one of the largest energy focused groups in the country.”
Randy Elkins, Executive Vice President of First Nationwide Title Agency’s Texas operations noted, “We have been searching for additional expertise and bandwidth to specifically address our growing client list of energy companies, developers, lenders and tax equity purchasers.” Citing the activity in both conventional and renewable energy projects and their unique needs for title insurance coverage, Elkins said, “We’ve added the most respected experts in the space.”
About AmTrust Title Insurance Company
AmTrust Title is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AmTrust Financial Services, Inc., an insurance holding company headquartered in New York, which offers specialty property and casualty insurance products, including workers' compensation, business owner's policy (BOP), general liability and extended service and warranty coverage. AmTrust Title is headquartered and domiciled in New York, New York. AmTrust Title utilizes advanced technology, supported by the financial strength of AmTrust Financial, to support real estate clients of all sizes. For more information about AmTrust Title, visit www.amtrusttitlegroup.com.
About AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.
AmTrust Financial Services, Inc., a multinational insurance holding company headquartered in New York, offers specialty property and casualty insurance products, including workers' compensation, business owner’s policy (BOP), general liability and extended service and warranty coverage. For more information about AmTrust, visit www.amtrustfinancial.com.