Michael Knudsen is chief financial officer of Veritas Title Partners. With more than 20 years experience in the title insurance industry, Knudsen plays a leading role in company management. He also leads a team of commercial marketing representatives who work with clients throughout the United States.

Knudsen combines a background in both the commercial lending and commercial title industries to understand how to help Veritas clients seize financial opportunities and resolve difficult challenges. He began his career at Allied Bank of Texas in Houston, where he originated commercial real estate loans, restructured problem loans and helped re-sell the bank's foreclosed properties. When First Interstate Bank purchased Allied Bank of Texas, he became vice president of First Interstate Bank's real estate group.

In 1988, Knudsen joined Lomas Management Inc. in Dallas to oversee business development of commercial construction loans in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. While there, he structured construction loans with profit participations and gained valuable experience in workouts, litigation and bankruptcies.

Knudsen entered the title business in 1993 with American Title Company of Houston. With responsibility for commercial business development, he successfully drew on relationships he had established over ten years in the banking industry to build a new stream of business for the company while acquiring title experience. Three years later, he joined First American Title Insurance Company, where he became sales manager for the Houston commercial division.

In 2002, Knudsen moved to Fidelity National Title Insurance Company. Joining him were fellow First American colleagues Robert Sheldon and Sandra Paige – his current partners at Veritas Title Partners – along with several other staff members. The three title executives opened a new commercial office for Fidelity, with Knudsen responsible for developing new client relationships. In 2005, they left Fidelity to open their own company, Veritas Title Partners.

Knudsen is a native of Houston. He attended University of Texas at Austin, where he received a B.B.A. degree in finance.

Sandra Paige is recognized as one of the industry's most accomplished professionals. With vast experience in underwriting large, multi-site, multi-state commercial transactions, she oversees the escrow team that handles some of Veritas Title Partners' most complicated transactions.

Paige began her professional career with the law firm of Streich, Lang in Phoenix, Arizona. In 1984, she launched her title insurance career when she opened the offices of Heritage Title Company in Austin, Texas. In 1990, she returned to her hometown of Boston to join the national division of Old Republic National Title Insurance Company, where she quickly established a reputation for sound underwriting practices. She also worked with Lawyers Title and Fidelity National Title of New York before returning to Texas and joining Partners Title Company in Houston.

In 1999, Paige joined her current partners at Veritas, Bob Sheldon and Michael Knudsen, at First American Title Insurance. The three brought their team to the commercial division of Fidelity National Title Insurance Company in 2002. In January 2005, she and her partners formed their own company, Veritas Title Partners.

Throughout her title insurance career, Paige has handled high profile transactions. These include TD Banknorth Garden (the new Boston Garden) and numerous portfolio securitizations. Most recently, she has worked on many high-profile transactions in Houston, including a $2 billion multi-family portfolio.

Paige has authored numerous articles for the Boston Business Journal. She has served as an adjunct teacher at St. Edward's University and frequently speaks or lectures for professional associations and continuing education programs. She has served as an officer of several professional organizations, including the Texas Land Title Association. She is a past president of the Travis County Land Title Association, past board member of the Real Estate Finance Association of Boston and alumna of NEWIRE and CREW Houston. With a degree in English literature, Paige pursued graduate studies at Arizona State University and Suffolk University. She is presently studying piano at Rice University's The Shepherd School of Music Preparatory Program.

As one of the founding members of Veritas Title Partners, Diane takes personal pride in delivering excellent customer service. She has been in the title industry for more than a decade and worked with the commercial teams of major title underwriters before helping to launch Veritas. Diane draws on a wide range of commercial title experience, from developments to land assemblage, to create successful transactions. Her personal dedication and calm, pleasant demeanor make every transaction a positive experience for her customers. Diane earned a Bachelor's of Business Administration degree in finance.

Harry Klein has helped hundreds of customers close on residential and commercial properties since becoming an escrow officer in the year 2000. His roots in real estate go back even farther: his family was in the business and he obtained his own license more than a quarter century ago.

Today, Harry draws on his unique problem-solving skills as a former manager of a title office to make sure that even the most complicated transactions progress smoothly. He carefully coordinates the details between both parties, ensuring that nothing falls through the cracks. Harry earned his degree in economics from Texas Tech University in Lubbock.

Doug Erwing is one of Houston’s most experienced attorney escrow officers. In addition to being a closer, Doug’s award-winning career in the title insurance business has also included stints in claims, examination, underwriting and risk analysis. Doug has closed many highly-complicated transactions and held prestigious positions with major title companies. He also operated his own successful fee attorney office with Veritas Title Partners before selling the practice. This experience, combined with a personal perspective gained from buying and selling real estate, allows him to serve clients more effectively.

Doug earned both his law degree and a Ph.D. in legal history from the University of Houston. He has taught history in the Honors College at the University of Houston and he has also lectured at a number of universities in China. He also devotes time to community service and poverty relief.

Priscilla Di Cesare is Veritas Title’s liaison to the local real estate community, where she serves customers as a personal guide, assistant and advocate through the escrow process. Agents and other real estate professionals turn their closings over to Priscilla, trusting that she will handle all the details. Priscilla is an attentive listener and does whatever it takes to make her clients’ lives easier. Whether it’s educating people about the company's services or researching current trends in the industry, Priscilla “fills the gaps” with genuine concern and professionalism. To prepare for this challenging role, Priscilla helped operate many companies simultaneously as executive business assistant to former basketball pro Hakeem Olajuwon. She joined Veritas Title Partners to pursue her passion for real estate.

Chad Grimes serves as his clients’ guide, advocate and partner through the Veritas closing process. He is also a valuable resource. Relationships are key to success in the real estate community, and Chad enjoys welcoming clients into his vast professional network. After listening carefully to their goals, he skillfully connects them with others who can help. Chad is active in the Rotary Club and several other community and charitable organizations. A former professional golfer, he often shares tips with clients on the links.