Janette Waller

A seasoned veteran with a vast experience in the real estate industry, Janette Waller currently serves as president of First American Title’s Direct Division. After beginning her career in 1981 as a real estate paralegal in the Chicagoland area, she transitioned to the title and escrow industry when she accepted a position as an escrow assistant for a large national underwriter shortly after moving to Arizona in 1992. Over the next eight years, she took on increasing levels of responsibility as an escrow officer, sales executive and branch manager.

She joined the First American family in 2000, and after a brief stint as a branch manager went on to become area manager in 2005. She was then named Maricopa County manager in 2007, a position she held until July 2015 when the company asked her to relocate to California to oversee the 10-county Bay Area region. In mid-2017, she was promoted once again and became Northern California regional manager, overseeing more than 500 team members. Her outstanding leadership of that team led to her being named to her current role in January 2019, where she has led the division to record-setting results amid the pandemic.

Over the course of her career, Waller has been an outspoken advocate for the industry, including her past work on behalf of the Arizona State Escrow Association as past president and a member of the board. Her passion for the industry led her to being named a 2020 Woman of Influence by HousingWire. She has also earned accolades as a 2019 winner of First American’s Virginia Ueberroth Outstanding Woman in Leadership Award for her contribution to the company’s success and commitment to helping other women leaders with their personal and professional growth. And, in 2020, she received a Great Place to Work® For All Leadership Award for helping to drive revenue by practicing humility and empathy, fostering trust, for dedication and commitment to the development of their team, and for connecting diverse people to a common purpose.