MEET THE TEAM
Most of our staff travel, quite often. They do, however, have a place that they like to call "home base".
Northwest Crew
John Rawlings
Owner
I was born and raised in Hudson, Wisconsin, with the majority of my weekends spent at our cabin near Siren. Trout fishing, bow hunting and chasing ruffed grouse occupied most of my early years. In 1981, I ventured to Oklahoma to learn the business of researching mineral rights ownership for oil companies. By 1983, I had to get back to “the promised land” of Wisconsin. Gaining employment with St. Croix County Abstract Co., in Hudson, I learned real estate title under the guidance of Roger Bevers. After managing a satellite office in Polk County for several years, I decided to go at it alone and in 1989, created Northwest Land Title, Inc., with our home office located in Milltown. Originally concentrating our business in Polk and Burnett Counties, we have steadily grown to cover all of Northwestern Wisconsin. In 2003 we expanded into Siren starting Assured Title, LLC. In 2012 we acquired the Osceola native title company which was founded in 1882 as Oakey and Oakey Abstract. The name since was changed to Guaranty Title Services (GTS). Once we gained ownership, my first prerogative was to change the name back to its roots; that is where Oakey and Oakey Abstract & Title, LLC came about. Our most recent obtainment was in September of 2013 which was Douglas County Abstract & Title, LLC in Superior, Wisconsin.
| I am a hands-on owner in this industry. My love of the research and history has kept me solidly anchored in the day-to-day research and examining. It’s a rare day that I don’t see something new or find new challenges. Much of my time is spent in the various Court Houses around the area, digging into the dusty old books of the past. My primary goal is to give my customers the very best service, along with the highest quality product available. The purpose of our industry is first and foremost to protect our customer. I never lose sight of that fact. |
Barb Rawlings
Office Manager
Barb was born in Minnesota, moved to Wisconsin while she was a teenager and has been living in Shell Lake since 1998. She has 3 children and 8 grandchildren that she loves spending time with. Son, Loren, lives in River Falls with his wife and their 4 boys. Her eldest daughter, Stephanie, is a Nurse and Firefighter in Oakdale, MN. Her other daughter, Corrine, is a full-time mom. She has a cat, Ellie Grace, and two dogs, Stella and Ruby. Barb loves spending time with her kids, grandkids and animals; she also enjoys reading, shopping, walking and being a grandma!
| Barb has been with NW-Title since 1999 and is John's "right-hand woman". While he is out on the road searching, she is keeping the office under control. She handles all production from start to finish. From production to cleaning, Barb has a handle on all of Milltown's functions! |
Lyndsey Heilig
Office Assistant
Lyndsey was born and raised in Polk County and resides just outside of Luck with her 2 boys, Noah and Brady. She enjoys spending time with family and friends. She is the bookkeeper and office assistant for many of our offices and she helps keep the workplace under control with a positive vibe throughout the day!
Assured Crew
Rebecca Thoreson
Real Estate/Mortgage Closer
She is currently living outside of Grantsburg with her husband, Dave. Rebecca loves to fish, run, walk, hike, kayak, canoe...really, most outdoor activities Rebecca enjoys! She also enjoys writing and hopes to have a book in print before long. One of her favorite hobbies is Wildlife Photography!
Rebecca has been in the title industry for over 26 years and with us now for almost 20 years. She is the Real Estate/Title closer out of our Assured location in Siren.
She said that the BEST thing about her job is diversity. There can never be two files/closings that are the same and this creates a pretty interesting job environment.
Ashley Wendelboe
Office Assistant
Ashley was born in Brainerd MN and moved to Frederic WI when she was 4. She graduated from
Frederic High School in 2012 and attended UW River Falls.
She likes to do anything outdoors and loves spending time in nature. Others describe her as outgoing,
free spirited, happy, sympathetic, honest, and friendly.
Her goal is purely to be happy in life and she doesn't like to limit herself. She is always
open to new opportunities and experiences.
Oakey Crew
Briana Geissinger
Searcher/Title Examiner
Briana grew up on the east side of St. Paul and in the Hudson area. She has been living in Polk County & St Croix County (on and off) since she was 13 years old. She just bought a house in Balsam Lake where she lives with her son, her mother and their dogs. Her son, Ethan, loves swimming, golfing, trucks and books. Briana enjoys spending time with Ethan, their puppies, family and friends.
Briana has been with the company since Feb of 2013. At her current role as a researcher, she loves the diversity! She said that she floats between the 3 offices and learns something new every day. Briana has a degree in Land Surveying and is very excited to be able to utilize her degree in a new facet.
| "There is so much to learn and every order is new and different. I have met some great people so far, that I otherwise would not have met. I am thankful for this wonderful career opportunity!" |
Douglas County Crew
Sandy Kilman
Real Estate/Mortgage Closer
In the fall of 2014 Sandy moved to Solon Springs, WI. She has been a closer since 2013 , with closing experience in
Wisconsin and Minnesota. When she is not working, Sandy enjoys camping, fishing and
spending time with her family and friends.
