Chris Leavell Named Chief Operating Officer for First American's Mortgage Information Services Group

January 18, 2005

DALLAS, /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The First American Corporation (NYSE: FAF) announced today that Chris Leavell has been named chief operating officer for the company's Mortgage Information Services Group (MISG). Leavell, who most recently served as president of First American subsidiary eAppraiseIT, will now assume responsibility for MISG's enterprise initiatives, international expansion and product bundling programs. In addition, he will have direct operating responsibility for various MISG companies. His duties as president of eAppraiseIT will be transitioned to Anthony Merlo.

Leavell's promotion is one of several significant executive changes that have been made within First American's Mortgage Information Services Group to support the rapid growth experienced within that group of companies over the past several years. The revised internal structure will maintain and strengthen First American's leading mortgage information industry position.

Named president of eAppraiseIT in 1998, Leavell formerly served as vice president and general manager of the California Title Division of First American Lender's Advantage. Prior to joining First American, Chris served as vice president of mortgage administration at Weyerhaeuser Mortgage Company, and held management positions in loan servicing at Weyerhaeuser and positions in planning, budgeting and valuation with both Countrywide Home Loans and Weyerhaeuser. He is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science. He received his MBA in finance from the University of Chicago.

Source: The First American Corporation


Contact ALTA at 202-296-3671 or communications@alta.org.