John Stanley:  

After graduation I worked several jobs around Eugene, at service stations, the ice plant etc. Helped my dad start Willamette Valley Title in Salem and Albany in late 1969. In 1971 I quit and went to work at Deschutes County Title in Bend, and in 1972 I went to work at Title Insurance Company of Oregon in downtown Portland. Within 2 years I became the chief title officer there. In my spare time I set up a title company in St. Helens. In Late 1975 I built a Title Plant in Hood River County, and opened up my own company, Mid-Columbia Title, in February of 1976. Starting from there it was a flurry of activity, setting up offices for others in Enterprise, LaGrande, Baker, Burns in Oregon and Stevenson and Eastsound Washington. In 1984 I sold the company and decided to retire. I always had an interest in Motorcycles, and with retirement decided to complete a project. It took all of 30 days, and it did not take long to realize I was too young to retire. In 1985 I set up a title company for some investors in Juneau Alaska, and when that was done I established Mt. Adams Title in White Salmon Washington in August, I was back working full time, and enjoyed being back doing what I liked to do. In 1986 I purchased Columbia Title Company in The Dalles, and made that my main office In 1988 I bought back my original Hood River office. Its a longer story, but I also owned Skamania County Title in Stevenson, Pacific Title in Seaside, Homestead Title in Pendleton and Hermiston, Harney County title in Burns. In 1992 I was approached by what is now known as Amerititle, a division of JELD-WEN who wanted to buy my company, but I said not really. I thought about it and called them back and ended up selling Homestead Title to them. In 1996 they bought The Dalles and in 1997 they bought Hood River. Except for White Salmon I sold all the other offices to my managers, making it very easy for them to become owners. I continued t...Expand for more