Southern Texas Title Company Announces Merger

Byron Jay Lewis, President and Director of Edwards Abstract and Title Co. is pleased to announce the merger of three title insurance companies. Edwards Abstract and Title Co., Security Land Title Co. and Southern Texas Title Company will unite and emerge as Edwards Abstract and Title Co. “As owner of all three companies, it makes business sense to form one company that is stronger, and that will unite the talent and experience of our personnel,” said Lewis. "The merger is a natural evolution of the opportunities and energy of the past ten years, and an integral part of the company’s new business model," he added. Edwards Abstract and Title Co. will be licensed to operate in both Cameron and Hidalgo counties. “We are often asked if Edwards Abstract and Title Co. has branch offices in Cameron County, and now we will proudly say yes!,” said Byron Jay Lewis. Southern Texas Title Company has three full service branch offices in Harlingen, Brownsville and South Padre Island. Security Land Title Co. operates two full service branches in McAllen and Mission. Edwards Abstract and Title Co. operates four full service branch offices in Edinburg, Weslaco, McAllen and Mission. The strategic leadership of the company will remain with Byron Jay Lewis as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. The Hidalgo County Division will be headed by N. Michael Overly who has been named President and the Cameron County Division will be led by Guy Huddleston, III who will serve as President of that region. Edwards Abstract and Title Co. has taken great strides to be recognized as a leader in the title insurance industry. The company was the first in Hidalgo County to offer the convenience of multiple branch offices; the first company to offer customers a transaction management system with the ability to view the status of orders online 24/7 and the first to implement E-Recording in cooperation with the Hidalgo County Clerks Office. “I am very proud of the personnel that we have in place at all of the branch offices. The strength and experience of the three teams are a perfect fit for continued success,” said Byron Jay Lewis. The primary goal of the three company merger is to provide title insurance services in two counties; to unite the resources and personnel under the umbrella of one company, and to preserve the long tradition of service for many decades to come. Edwards Abstract and Title Co. was established in 1880 by Judge J.H. Edwards. The Edwards family operated the company until 1984 when it was sold to Jesse Hedrick. Current President Byron Jay Lewis purchased the company in 2001 and continues to operate it as an independently owned title insurance provider. For more information, log on to the website at http://www.edwards-titleco.com.