Agency State Operations

Heidi Billington brings almost 20 years of real estate experience to our valued agents. Heidi joined Old Republic Title in 2025 and currently serves in a leadership role as Georgia State Manager where she directs and oversees the operations of our Georgia Agency business unit. Before assuming her role at Old Republic Title, Heidi was a practicing real estate attorney. Her law practice focused on both residential and commercial transactions where she was seen as a hands-on expert for her clients. In her closing practice, Heidi concentrated on contract review, title examination, issue resolution and claims, as well as compliance oversight to ensure a smooth transaction for her realtor, lender, investor, and builder clients. Heidi has also represented lenders in various matters including mortgage default, REO sales, loan modifications, deeds in lieu and short sales.

Heidi came to Old Republic from a local closing law firm and was previously a Partner at a real estate law firm where she oversaw the closing operations and managed the closing team. Prior to running the closing practice, she co-managed the mortgage default practice group at the same law firm. Over the years, Heidi has been active in the local Boards of Realtors, GRECCA, and Mortgage Bankers Association where she volunteered her time and served on industry committees.

Heid grew up in the South and has called Georgia home since 1998. She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Georgia and her law degree from Mississippi College School of Law. Heidi is a member of the State Bar of Georgia and Real Property Law Section and is also licensed to practice law in Tennessee and Mississippi. Heidi currently resides in Atlanta with her husband and two daughters.

Mark Robinson is Vice President and Georgia State Counsel for Old Republic National Title Insurance Company, where he provides underwriting guidance and practical insight on a wide range of title insurance and real estate matters across Georgia. With a background that includes serving as both a solo practitioner and managing partner of a multi-office law firm, Mark brings decisive, real-world experience to every issue he addresses. He provides a broad, hands-on approach to the challenges facing real estate professionals in an ever-changing market.

Mark is a graduate of Georgia State University and Emory University School of Law. Mark is an active member of the State Bar of Georgia, having previously served on the Executive Committee of the Real Property Law Section, and he currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Southeast Land Title Association (SLTA), where he just completed his term as SLTA President. A frequent speaker and educator, Mark is known for delivering clear, practical guidance that helps real estate attorneys and professionals better understand the issues and equips them to act with confidence and clarity.

Tim Raffa joined Old Republic in June 2014 and currently serves as Commercial Underwriting Counsel. Tim underwrites all types of transactions but focuses his efforts on assisting Old Republic’s Georgia Agents in underwriting their Commercial transactions. He has spoken at several seminars over the years, including the Real Property Law Section Commercial Real Estate Seminar and ORT’s annual agency seminar.

Tim has been a member of the Georgia Bar since 1994 and began practicing in the area of Real Estate in 1996. Before joining Old Republic, Tim was associated with a commercial firm where his focus included workouts, foreclosures, commercial lending, commercial transactions and all title & escrow operations. He worked with a multitude of lenders and borrowers from across the state and country in facilitating commercial transactions of all sizes. Tim established and developed the firm’s title agencies and operations from the ground up.

Tim also worked for Beazer Homes, Inc., as Area Manager for Homebuilder’s Title developing and managing title agencies in three states from 2006-2007, before opening his solo practice in 2008. Until 2006, Tim was a Partner at a large residential firm where he ran multiple offices in East Cobb, developed the firm’s Mentor Program and was on the Board of Directors for the firm’s Charitable Foundation. He represented individuals, investors, builders, and lenders in a variety of transactions including acquisition & development of property, residential closings, covenants and restrictions and small commercial real estate transactions.

Originally from Plantation, Florida, Tim has resided in East Cobb for the last 26 years with his wife, Robin, and three children. He has been a youth basketball coach for the last 16 years and a Commissioner for the East Marietta Basketball League. He also administers the Joyce Fox Memorial Scholarship Fund for children in need of financial assistance in order to participate in the League.

Education: JD, Nova Southeastern University, 1993; MA, Sports Management, California University of Pennsylvania, 2010; BS, Social Sciences, University of Central Florida.
1990 Memberships: State Bar of Georgia & Real Property Law Section, State Bar of Georgia.

James J. LaRotonda, Jr. (Jim) Joined ORNTIC in December of 2018. In his current role, Jim assists attorney agents and their staffs with all aspects of title underwriting for residential and commercial real estate transactions for the State of Georgia.

Jim has over 30 years of experience in the title industry, including extensive experience in the examination of title, bankruptcy, foreclosure and REO. Prior to earning his law degree, Jim started as a title examiner in the bowels of the Fulton County record room and later throughout the state. Jim then moved to a high-volume closing practice and later ran a sole practice REO shop. Prior to joining Old Republic Jim worked for a default servicing law firm representing creditors in title curative matters as well as foreclosure, bankruptcy, eviction and REO. Jim has been active in numerous industry organizations including REOMAC, the Attorneys Legal and Financial Network and The Legal League 100 where he participated as a presenter in numerous training sessions and seminars.

Jim was admitted to the practice of law in 1988, having received his Juris Doctor from Georgia State University. He received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of New Mexico, and a Master’s Degree from Eastern Kentucky University.

Jim is licensed to practice in Georgia, before the Georgia Court of Appeals, and the US District Courts for the Northern and Middle and Southern Districts of Georgia. He is currently a member of GRECAA, the Real Property, Bankruptcy, and Creditor’s Rights sections of the Georgia State Bar.

John recently joined Old Republic Title after over 30 years in his busy real estate practice facilitating a wide range of residential and commercial transactions. In his practice he focused on examining titles and title resolution, working with investors, builders, developers, and lenders preparing contracts, deeds, and other transactional agreements. John also has experience in lender risk management, foreclosures, workouts, real estate litigation and handling title claims.

John is a member of the State Bar of Georgia and Real Property Law Section and has served as both a Board Member and President of the Georgia Real Estate Closing Attorney's Association (GRECAA).

John was raised in Dunwoody, Georgia and has lived in the Atlanta area since 1974. After he graduated from Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, John earned his J.D. from the University of Georgia School of Law, where he was also a member of the Georgia Law Review. John lives in Alpharetta with his wife Elaine and daughter Emma, a student at UGA. In his spare time, John enjoys spending time at Lake Lanier.

Kim Edwards has proudly been a part of the Old Republic Title family for 29 years. Throughout her career, she has earned a reputation for her knowledge, professionalism, dedication to her agents, colleagues, friends, and recruiting incoming talent to the industry. When she’s not working, she enjoys TCM movies, seeking cooler weather, reading, and visiting her friends in Palm Springs. She is currently obsessed with Wordle, Connections and Strands, and she plays every single day from the minute she wakes up. Her experience and positive spirit make her an invaluable part of the team.

Craig Raymer is an experienced Assistant Vice President with a demonstrated history of working in the real estate industry. Skilled in Refinance, Title Insurance, Working with First-Time Home Buyers, and U.S. Federal Housing Authority (FHA).

Heather Moore is an accomplished Agency Account Manager with a proven track record of building strong client relationships, driving strategic initiatives and delivering exceptional customer service. She specializes in partnering with clients to understand their unique business objectives, identify growth opportunities, and develop solutions that create long-term success.

Outside of her professional career, she is passionate about mentoring and developing young people through athletics and community involvement. For many years, she has been a dedicated volunteer and advocate for childhood cancer awareness and research. Guided by faith and commitment to service, she strives to make a lasting and positive impact in every endeavor.

20 years at ORT and 10 as a real estate paralegal.

Annie Thrasher is our resident Creative who specializes in communication and problem-solving. With a career history centered around being a professional Artist, Annie has a multi-faceted work experience that ranges from high-level production to business admin to work in the public sector.

An autodidact and the daughter of professional musicians, including her dad who was an audio engineering industry pioneer and legend, Annie began working in the family business at a young age and is quite certain that all success revolves around mindset. Her “whatever it takes” attitude is a great fit for all of the miscellaneous duties and responsibilities that fall under her Agency and Communications Coordinator role.

When not planning events and coordinating projects for Old Republic GA Agency, Annie runs an art company and loves spending time with her family, eating ribeyes, and playing outside.

Glenda Stephens is a dedicated Policy Processor with more than 30 years of experience at Old Republic Title. Throughout her career, she has built a reputation for accuracy, professionalism, and a strong commitment to providing exceptional service.

Originally from New York, Glenda now calls Lithonia, Georgia, home. Outside of work, she enjoys attending church, spending quality time with her family, and cherishing every moment with her new granddaughter.

Stacy joined Old Republic Title in 1996. While having several different roles through the years, she is currently a Policy Processor. Stacy grew up in Roswell and now lives in Dawsonville. Away from work she enjoys time with her family and new Granddaughter.

Lindsey Thacker has been a Processor with Old Republic Title for 25 years. Growing up in a family with deep roots in the real estate and lending industry, she developed an appreciation for the business early on and has spent her career in the title industry.

Lindsey enjoys spending time with her family and spoiling her dogs when she’s away from the office.

Michele Z. Flaherty joined Old Republic Title in August 2015 as Agency Auditor followed with a promotion in 2019 as Senior Agency Auditor. She is responsible for administering and managing the audit program as part of the Georgia operations.

Michele’s experience in the real estate industry started in 1988 when she began her training as a real estate closer under the supervision of a sole proprietor attorney. Two years later she joined one of Macon’s largest and oldest law firms, Martin Snow, where she continued to develop her skills and knowledge of the industry. Although her experience is primarily with residential transactions, she has closed numerous transactions involving commercial property and timber sales.

Michele holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Information Technology with a concentration in Accounting from Macon State College and a Master’s Degree in Accountancy from Georgia College and State University. She is a member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners and carries the CFE credential.

Jessie joined ORT in 2016 in the Tampa, FL office as a policy processor and joined the GA team in the Fall of 2018 doing the same and later moved to the auditing team.

Jessie was born and raised in Florida and has lived in the Atlanta area since 2018. She spends her spare time going on adventures with her toddler, reading books, and hiking in the woods with her dog.