We Excel at Impressing Our Clients
ACS Knox Title is a premier supplier of your full service Title Insurance needs. We have made ourselves known for servicing and closing in all counties in Ohio and consistently maintaining a high level of customer service and satisfaction. We enjoy watching our impressive list of clients excel in meeting their goals as we meet ours. The most gratifying part of the work that we do is the customer interaction and the satisfaction each party has as another successful closing is completed. ACS is forever committed to rendering quality, efficient and ethical work for all those we service.
Arlene Griffith
President, Licensed Title Insurance Agent
Arlene Griffith was born and raised in Centerburg, Ohio and currently resides there with her husband, Bob. Centerburg is where the Griffiths have raised their three children. Arlene has been personally involved in the title and real estate industries since 1989 and counting. She has worked in all areas–starting as an Abstractor, Legal Assistant, a Licensed Real Estate Agent, a licensed title insurance agent, and finally to President of ACS Knox County in 1991. Using her wealth of knowledge about the industry, she has conducted training seminars upon request for loan officers and realtors. Along with servicing the title industry in these ways, Arlene runs the ACS Knox Title office on a daily basis. She can be found meeting and greeting clients, closing loans, answering questions, and resolving clients’ needs. When Arlene is away from work, she enjoys traveling in all areas and spending time with her family and her four grandchildren.
James Giles
Vice President & Counsel, Licensed Title Insurance Agent
Jim is a graduate of Kenyon College and the Ohio State University College of Law. He has been a licensed title insurance agent since 1982. After 36 years of practice he has recently retired from the practice of law but remains active with ACS Title in a management and underwriting capacity. He is married to Kim, a retired teacher, and has two adult sons and four grandchildren. Jim enjoys skiing, hunting, fishing, traveling with Kim, and spending time with his grandchildren. Jim is currently a commissioner of the Knox County Park District and serves on the College Township Zoning Commission.
Morgan Giles
Counsel, Licensed Title Agent
Morgan was born and raised in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. He now lives in Gambier, Ohio with his wife, Aly and two daughters. He is a graduate of Ohio University and the Capital University Law School where he graduated with Magna Cum Laude honors. Morgan worked for ACS Knox Title during summer breaks, learning all aspects of the title insurance business. He is now a Licensed Title Agent and devotes significant amount of his time as an attorney to helping ACS Knox Title serve its customers. He makes himself immediately available to realtors, lenders, sellers and buyers to answer questions or resolve title issues in an efficient, professional manner. Outside of work, Morgan enjoys spending time outdoors, snow skiing, traveling and live music. Morgan is the Board President for the Freedom Center of Knox County where he is actively involved in combating the opiate epidemic. He is also a Board Member for the Boy Scouts of America’s Muskingum Valley Council.
Stephanie Back
Vice President, Licensed Title Insurance Agent
Stephanie is originally from Mount Vernon, Ohio, which is where she now resides with her husband, and has one son. Stephanie has been involved in the title insurance industry since 1993. She is happy to have served all her years with ACS. Stephanie is knowledgeable in all aspects of the title industry. She is a Licensed Title Insurance Agent and manages the day to day operations in the office. On the weekends Stephanie enjoys spending time with her family and being in touch with friends.
Val Smith
Closing Coordinator
Val resides in Morrow County and has 2 daughters, 2 grandsons and 3 granddaughters. Val has been involved in the title industry and with ACS since 1998. Prior to her working at ACS, she worked in the banking industry for 10 years. Construction lending and manufactured homes have been a good part of Val’s position in the last 20 years. Away from ACS, Val can be found spending time with her family and camping.
Kelly Moreland
Closing Coordinator
Kelly is originally from Centerburg, Ohio where she currently resides with her husband, and has two daughters and two grandchildren. Kelly has been involved with the title industry and ACS since 1996. Kelly is the go-to person for one of our largest clients and takes the term “customer care” to the next level in the title industry. After hours, Kelly enjoys family vacations and boating and water activities.
Ashley Bisbee
Closing Coordinator
Ashley Bisbee is from Centerburg, Ohio where she resides with her husband and 2 children. She attended Columbus State Community College. Ashley enjoys the title insurance industry and previously worked in Banking/Finance for over 3 years. She strives on customer service and is available to address the needs of any and all clients. On weekends, she enjoys spending time with her family as well as horseback riding.
Luanne White
Fiscal Officer
Luanne is originally from Fostoria, Ohio and now resides in Centerburg, Ohio. With ACS Title since 1994, she is our Fiscal Officer handling all financial aspects of ACS including the Trust Account. She can also be relied upon to assist in all areas when needed. When not focused on ACS, Luanne enjoys spending time with her family.
Cindy McDowell
Senior Closing Officer/ Best Practices Compliance Officer
Cindy is originally from Northern Indiana. She resides in Centerburg with her husband. She has four children and is proud of all four of them and their accomplishments. Cindy is extremely proud of her son who is currently serving our country. She has been in the title business since 1996 and has experience as a Closing Coordinator, Processor, Funding, and Final polices. Her current duties include facilitating closings, training other closers, and making sure ACS is ALTA Best Practices Compliant. When away from work she loves spending time with her family and friends.
Madison Back
Title Specialist
Madison is from Mount Vernon, Ohio where she resides with her husband, Dakota, her son, and their two dogs. She is a graduate from the Mount Vernon High School and Knox County Career Center. Since 2015, Madi is a Title Specialist. She loves all facets of the title insurance industry and loves working with all the great people in the Real Estate business. On weekends, she enjoys the outdoors and spending time with family and friends.
Shelby Ballantyne
Senior Processor, Closing Coordinator
Shelby is from Howard, Ohio where she currently lives with her husband, 2 cats and a dog. She is a 2014 graduate from Mount Vernon High School. Her customer service skills allow her to communicate with the clients with ease. Her hobbies include going on road trips with her husband, hiking, and spending time with friends and family.
Irene M. Street
Fiscal Officer
Irene is originally from Loudonville, Ohio and now resides in Fredericktown, Ohio with her husband and adult son. She graduated from Ashland University with a Business Management Degree. Irene joined our funding department in September 2020 and comes to us with over 20 years of customer service experience. She strives on customer service and making sure funds are distributed accordingly. On weekends, she enjoys spending time with her family and helping her husband and son with their Sprint Car race team.
Taylor Lavan
Processor
Taylor resides in Gambier, Ohio, only minutes away from her childhood home. She has her degree in Business Administration, and also has graduated from Leadership Knox through the Chamber of Commerce. She has previously worked in the Banking and Lending Industry for nearly six years. Her previous knowledge, love customer service, and outgoing personality have helped her transition into the Real Estate and Title world. In her free time, she enjoys reading, playing outside with her dogs, and spending time with her friends and family.
Kara Jones
Processor
Kara is originally from Chesterland, Ohio and moved to Mount Vernon after graduating from Ashland University. She and her husband Matt have 2 daughters. Kara enjoys spending time with her family as well as sewing and crafting.
Shannon Yoder
Closing Officer
Shannon is from Centerburg, Ohio, currently residing in Gambier, Ohio with her husband and dog. Shannon and Cameron are expecting her first little one and they’re excited for the expansion of their family. Shannon has been with ACS since 2018 as a Closer. She enjoys getting to meet new people and enjoys the excitement of seeing clients embark on their new journey in life. Outside of work she enjoys the time she gets to spend with family and friends.
Laura Rohler
Closing Coordinator
Laura Rohler is a proud graduate from the class of 1989 at Fredericktown High School. After high school, she attended the University of Cincinnati, additionally she worked to receive her paralegal certificate from the American Institute for Paralegal Studies. Professionally, Laura has worked in the legal industry for over 29 years. After 29 years in the business, she still continues to challenge herself due to the ever changing real-estate industry. Although the industry can be challenging at times, she feels personally rewarded when she can help clients reach their goal of owning their dream home! When she isn’t working, Laura and her husband Gary live in Mount Vernon where they’re raising their twins, Hudson and Madison. When she’s not in a gym watching Hudson play basketball or Madison play volleyball, Laura enjoys spending time with family, reading a good novel, gardening, and a good night out with friends. Laura is grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve clients throughout the great state of Ohio including beautiful Knox County in which she proudly calls home!
Aimee O’Byrne
Paralegal
Aimee was born and raised a Buckeye and now resides in Fort Wayne, Indiana, with her husband and three children. She graduated with an Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies from Bradford School in Columbus, Ohio. Aimee has worked in the Real Estate Title industry for 15 years, and spent and additional 10 years working in Commercial Banking as a Senior Loan Coordinator for a large corporate bank. When Aimee isn’t assisting ACS remotely, she is enjoys spending time with her family, researching family genealogy, and making crafts with her Cricut.