Laura Coughlin, Esq.

Josh Jacoby

Caren Castle, Esq.

Congratulations to new Board members are in order. Josh Jacoby of Allied Trustee Services, and Laura Coughlin, Esq., of McCalla Raymer Leibert and Pierce were elected to the Board of Directors for three-year terms, ending in 2028. Gary Wisham of Allied Trustee Services, and Glenn Wechsler, Esq., of Law Offices of Glenn Wechsler, leave the Board. Both may run for election to the Board in 2026.

Additionally, President Ed Treder of Barrett Daffin Frappier Treder & Weiss, has appointed former UTA President Randy Newman, Esq., of Total Lender Solutions to fill the term of Kate Eshenko of First American Mortgage Solutions (term ending 2027) who departed the Board due to the company’s compliance directives. Treder also appointed Caren Castle, Esq. of The Mortgage Law Firm to fill the term of Steve Scott of Lawyers Title who has retired. (Term ending 2026). Castle’s vote total tied with Jacoby and Coughlin, and per UTA’s Bylaws, the tie was broken by a random drawing.

Additionally, Michelle Mierzwa, Esq., Wright Finlay & Zak, has been appointed by the Board to serve as UTA Counsel. Mierzwa replaces Martin T. McGuinn, Esq., who has retired.

“We’re excited to have new Directors bringing new ideas to the Board,” said Treder. “And we could not have a more outstanding Counsel to the industry’s Association than Michelle Mierzwa. I cannot thank Marty McGuinn enough for his work as our counsel the past eight years. By coincidence, Glenn Wechsler and Gary Wisham were our Member of the Year and Phil Adleson Award winners this past year – testimony to their significant contributions. As for Steve Scott, we wish him the best as he begins to enjoy his retirement.”

In next year’s election, there will be six open seats on the Board, four of whom are held by Directors who may not run for a seat until the following year.