Milligan Reynolds Guaranty Title celebrated its 80th birthday on Thursday, March 1, marking a major milestone at Chattanooga’s second oldest title insurance agency.
Located at 724 Cherry Street in the innovation district of Downtown Chattanooga, Milligan Reynolds was founded in 1938 by Dana Milligan, Sr. and Mark Senter as Milligan Senter Guaranty Title Company. Mercer Reynolds, Sr., acquired a majority interest two years later, leading to the name change.
Since then, Milligan Reynolds has grown to include three full-time attorneys, including George McInturff, president and CEO Valerie Epstein, and Derek Nelson, as well as co-owner and CFO Doris Peak, who’s been with the company for 45 years. The company has also seen its commercial and residential sales increase to over $50 million annually.
One unique aspect of Milligan Reynolds are its records, which go back to 1938, allowing its staff to do a thorough search of a title. “Quite often, we’ll find an original document that helps inform our opinion of a title,” says Epstein, who acquired majority ownership of the company in April 2014.
In addition, Milligan Reynolds has some of the city’s rarest linen plat maps (maps drawn to scale showing the divisions of a piece of land), with some dating back to 1904.
While Milligan Reynolds continues to thrive using tried and true methods, its staff is always looking for ways to innovate. The company’s advanced mobile technology, for example, allows a closing to occur across any secure wi-fi network.
“Milligan Reynolds is ahead of the curve, and will continue to be,” Epstein says. “That’s why we’re still here after 80 years.”
Milligan Reynolds also has locations in Hixson and Ooltewah. Information: milliganreynolds.com, 423 756-0911.