Bellvue, Washington-based NexTitle announced the promotion of Erin Sheckler to company president, becoming the title and escrow firm’s first female president.

With Sheckler’s appointment, NexTitle will join a “small number” of title and escrow firms nationwide to be led by a female president, the company said in a release.

In this role, Sheckler is tasked with “positioning NexTitle as a leading source for superior customer service and technically advanced capabilities,” the company said.

Additionally, Sheckler will work to create strategic programs to educate NexTitle team members on new and upcoming trends, enhance partnership relationships and develop marketing strategies for the company.

Prior to her elevation to president, Sheckler was senior vice president, general counsel and western states regional director for NexTitle. Sheckler joined RCO Legal, an affiliate of NexTitle, in 2010 as the company’s managing escrow attorney. She also served as advisory counsel to several large banks regarding their REO inventory during her time with RCO.

“Erin has proven she can lead a team to victory,” said Reed Hunt, corporate development manager of RCO Legal. “During a time of rapid growth for the real estate sector, it’s important to have tenacious individuals like Erin pushing the outstanding efforts of our title and escrow team.”

Sheckler said that her vision for NexTitle includes evolving with the shifting market.

“Through my years of experience in all facets of the settlement services industry, I have learned that strong partnerships are what make a transaction seamless,” Sheckler said.

“We are constantly evolving and investing in technology to remain ahead of the curve when it comes to serving lenders, real estate professionals and all parties to the transaction,” she added. “It’s my job to guarantee that when a broker hands off a new client to one of NexTitle’s team members, they can rest assured that the process is smooth and successful.”