Meet the Officers

Click on the names to view the officer profiles.
 
Bart Patterson - CEO

Bart PattersonBart Patterson received a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies, with emphasis on Spanish, English and Business from the University of Arizona. Following graduation in 1995, Patterson joined ProLink, Inc., an engineering firm focused on Global Positioning Systems (GPS). Patterson helped initiate nationwide distribution of the product and assisted in fund raising efforts to support the rapid growth of the company. Patterson resigned from ProLink in 2001 to start his own venture, InfoNation, Inc. dba CourthouseData in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Patterson was the majority stockholder, President & CEO of Courthouse Data from 2001 until 2005 when he sold the company to Data Trace, LLC, a subsidiary of First American Corporation. In 2004, Patterson started Clear Title, LLC dba Clear Title of Arkansas, a full service title and escrow agency. Most recently, he has expanded into the Arizona markets with Clear Title Agency of Arizona, LLC.  Patterson is the majority owner of Clear Title Holdings, LLC. Which is the parent of both Clear Title, LLC and Clear Title Agency of Arizona, LLC.

Jim Clifford - President & COO

Jim CliffordMr. Clifford has over 33 years of experience in all facets of the title insurance and settlement services industry. Mr. Clifford began his career at US Life Title Insurance Company in 1978.  US Life Title was a large American Insurance Corporation that carried multiple lines of insurance products, including title insurance dating back to the 1970’s.  US Life Title later sold its title insurance division to a consortium of savings and loans banks, which became known as Title USA based in Phoenix, Arizona.  The Arizona division of Title USA was purchased by its local management in 1984 and the Company was then renamed to United Title Agency.  Mr. Clifford rose to the position of Vice President during his tenure with US Life Title, Title USA & United Title and remained with the Company until it was sold in 1995. In 1996, Mr. Clifford and long-time colleague and business partner Nick Velimirovich, joined Capital Title Group (NASDAQ: CTGI) to open a division of Capital Title Agency of Arizona in Maricopa County. During a seven year span from 1996 to 2003, Jim was instrumental in growing the Maricopa County division of Capital Title to include twenty four branch locations with annual revenues exceeding $20MM.

In 2003 Mr. Clifford accepted a position with First America Title Insurance Corporation, as President of the Arizona division of The Talon Group. The Talon Group was established as part of First American’s separate branding initiative to increase market share nationally. Starting with only three branches, Jim was successful in growing the Talon Group's operations in Arizona to include 14 locations, with over $24,000,000.00 in annual revenues.
In January of 2011, Mr. Clifford joined Clear Title of Arizona as the President, Chief Operating Officer and a Principal partner in the Company.
Jim has previously served on the Arizona Mortgage Bankers Association, and is a member of the Land Title Association of Arizona.

Nick Velimirovich - CFO

Nick VillimenovichNick Velimirovich is a seasoned title and escrow professional with over 30 years in the title insurance industry. Nick started his career in 1974 at US Life Title Insurance Company in Phoenix, Arizona in the Customer Service Department.  Over the next 22 years, Nick rose to the position of Arizona District Manager and Vice President for US Life Title and its predecessor United Title Agency. In 1996, after the sale of United Title, Nick teamed with his long-time colleague and business partner Jim Clifford to join Capital Title Group (NASDAQ: CTGI) and open a division of Capital Title Agency of Arizona in Maricopa County.  During a seven year span from 1996 to 2003, Nick was instrumental in growing the Maricopa County division of Capital Title to include twenty four branch locations with annual revenues exceeding $20MM.

In 2003 Nick, who had become recognized as industry leader, joined the Talon Group (a division of First American Title Insurance Company) as Chief Executive Officer of their Arizona operations. Starting with only three branches, Nick was successful in growing the Talon Group's operations in Arizona to include 14 locations, with over $24,000,000.00 in annual revenues.

In January of 2011, Nick joined Clear Title of Arizona as the Chief Financial Officer and a Principal partner in the Company.
Nick has previously served on the Arizona Mortgage Bankers Association, and is a member of the Land Title Association of Arizona.

Robert Karber - General Counsel

Robert Karber received a BA in Business Administration from the University of Arizona in 1992 and a Juris Doctorate (cum Laude) and Masters in Business Administration from Santa Clara University in 1995.  Following graduation, Karber practiced law as an associate with Francis J. Slavin until 1997 when he became Vice President and General Counsel for Leading Edge Technologies, an engineering firm specializing in the development of GPS applications. Karber left Leading Edge in 1999 to pursue real estate opportunities with PK Development and Londen Insurance. Since that time, Karber has been instrumental in the development of real estate, including master planned communities in Arizona. Mr. Karber joined Clear Title in 2007 bringing a wealth of experience handling commercial real estate transactions, the practice of real estate law and real estate development.

Chassity Burks - Director of Operations
Chassity Burks has been with Clear Title since 2007 supporting the general operations of the Company including the accounts payable and accounts receivable functions, human resources, training and facilities support. Prior to joining Clear Title, Mrs. Burks was with Hibernia National Bank from 1997 through 2005 serving in market operations supporting training of new employees and general operational support. She also coordinated and managed software training and development for Fidelity National Information Services from 2005 to 2007 prior to joining Clear Title in 2007.
Alma Willey - VP of Escrow Operations
Alma Willey received a BS in Business Administration from Arizona State University in 1981 and a Juris Doctorate from Arizona State University in 1985. She began her career in the title and escrow business over 36 years ago. Since that time, Willey has gained solid experience and knowledge in every aspect of the real estate settlement service industry. Her experience is exceptional covering both residential and commercial on both local and national basis. Willey has managed numerous escrow agencies in Arizona over the past three decades. She has administered start-up, acquisition and liquidation of escrow companies. Prior to joining Clear Title of Arizona, she was Vice President of Escrow Operations for Guarantee Title Agency in Phoenix.