MEET OUR TEAM
More than 50 years combined experience in Title Insurance and Law Firms
Troy Crawford
Managing Counsel
Troy is Managing Counsel for LM Title. Prior to heading the title agency, he worked for Lawyers Mutual as Claims Counsel, focusing primarily on real estate, fraud and technology related claims. In that role, Troy routinely taught CLEs and other professional education programs for national, statewide, and local organizations. Before joining Lawyers Mutual, he worked at Investors Title as a Claims and Subrogation Counsel. Troy began his career with a small Garner, NC law firm where his practice concentrated in commercial and residential real estate transactions and litigation involving real property. Troy attended NC State University, graduating with honors in Civil Engineering. He received his JD, also with honors, from Campbell University.
Outside of work, Troy enjoys hiking, working in his garden and enjoying seeing his three children experience life. His wife, Jennifer, is also a licensed attorney.
Contact Troy directly at 919.585.1182 or troy@lmtitle.com.
Michelle Church
VP Operations, Title Counsel
Michelle serves as Vice President of Operations and Title Counsel. She oversees the company's operations and manages the title insurance underwriting process and our team of nine licensed underwriters. She has experience in several areas of law including real estate transactions, collections, and tax foreclosures. She began her career working for multiple-sized law firms ranging from a solo practitioner to an AM200 law firm. Additionally, her experience includes working for the legal department of BB&T and as a Research Consultant for the Carolina Panthers.
In her free time, Michelle enjoys traveling with her family, kickboxing, and indulging her passion for true crime stories.
Contact Michelle directly at 919.521.8934 or michelle@lmtitle.com.
Eric Hudson
Title Counsel
Eric serves as Title Counsel for LM Title Agency, LLC in addition to leading our affiliated Qualified Intermediary, LM 1031 Exchange, and commercial services. Eric began his career as a litigation attorney in Lexington, NC., where he also served two terms as president of the Davidson County Bar. From there, he focused on researching complex tax matters at Ernst & Young and then served as controller for an international furniture manufacturer/distributor. In 2018, he returned to the practice of law in residential and commercial real estate.
Contact Eric directly at 919.999.8585 or eric@lmtitle.com.
Sharon Keeter
Marketing Manager
Sharon joined LM Title in 2019 as the Marketing Manager. She has several years of marketing experience with telecom, senior living, and other title insurance companies.
She is currently scheduling and promoting the statewide CLE programs.
Sharon volunteers with a few organizations throughout the year. She loves to spend time with her grandson when she can.
Lauren Cain
Business Development Manager
Lauren joined LM Title in 2025 as part of the Business Development team and is located in Raleigh, NC. In addition to prior marketing experience, she has a background in commercial insurance, compliance, and mortgage finance. She is an Eastern North Carolina native and attended NC State University. In her free time, Lauren enjoys playing golf, reading, seeing live music and volunteering for Best Friend Pet Adoptions.
Heather Ballance-Brown
Senior Title Underwriter
Heather has spent the last 25 years working in real estate as a paralegal, mortgage loan processor, and title insurance underwriter.
Heather joined LM Title in the Summer of 2020.
In her free time she teaches dance, volunteers with organizations her daughter is involved in, and raises livestock.
Debra Underhill
Title Underwriter
Debra joined LM Title in February 2021. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington School of Business and a graduate of the Johnston Community College paralegal program.
She has worked as a paralegal for the past 24 years with ten years as a real estate closing paralegal. Her free time is spent with family and friends. Debra is a lifelong resident of Johnston County.
Melanie Johnson
Senior Title Underwriter / Training Coordinator
Melanie likes to say she was born into the real estate law business. In addition to working as a title underwriter, Melanie has dabbled in real estate law, mortgage lending, managing a land surveyor's office, and spent seven years training at SoftPro.
Melanie joined LM Title as an underwriter and training coordinator in March 2021.
Virginia Beury-Helms
Title Underwriter
Virginia is a Title Underwriter for LM Title and focuses most of her attention on timely completing final policies. Virginia joined LM Title in September 2021.
A long-time Carolina Beach paralegal, Virginia has years of experience in local deed vaults and clerk's offices.
Deborah Reece
Title Underwriter
Deb joins LM Title through the Blackacre Title acquisition in April 2022. She has been a Title Underwriter for the past 15 years.
Deb will continue to assist local attorneys producing new commitments and timely finals for both LM Title and Blackacre files. She is very involved and hosts many parties for her family.
Megan Haines
Prior Policy Coordinator and Marketing Representative
Megan is a Prior Policy Coordinator and is now marketing the coastal area. A native of New York, she relocated to Brunswick County in 2018.
She is passionate about dog rescue, cooking, and learning to pronounce cities and towns throughout her adopted state. Megan’s happy place is the beach.
Pam Lusk
Administrative Assistant
Pam Lusk comes to LM Title as our Administrative Assistant. She has many years of administrative and customer service experience.
Pam enjoys living out her faith as she spends time with family and friends and tries to live a healthy, natural life.
Laeken Faircloth
Prior Policy Coordinator
Laeken was born in Wilmington and joins LM Title as a Prior Policy Coordinator from Blackacre Title. Laeken joined her mom, Deb Reece, in 2018, and they continue to have the privilege of working together.
Laeken has 3 boys, loves the beach, and spending time with her family.
Sara Cockerill
Bookkeeper
Sara is the Bookkeeper for LM Title. She has many years of experience in this role.
Leigh Ann Hill
Marketing Representative
Leigh Ann has been in the real estate industry as a real estate agent for a few years and calls Rutherfordton home. She is marketing in Rutherford and surrounding counties. She has 2 boys and loves to travel.
Lynn Watkins
Marketing Representative
Lynn has been in the real estate industry for several years working with attorneys in Johnston County. She is marketing in the Raleigh and eastern part of the State.
Mea Norris
Marketing Representative
Mea started at LM Title in a part-time position during her senior year at Appalachian State. She joined us fulltime following graduation and is now marketing in the Triad area, as well as in the North Western part of the state. Mea enjoys spending time outdoors, exploring restaurants and attractions in the Triad area, and volunteering with animal service or disaster relief programs.
Missy Garlington
Marketing Representative
Missy has been with LM Title since February 2024 and markets the western part of the State.and surrounding areas.
Julie Miller
Marketing Representative
Julie is our marketing representative for the Charlotte Metropolitan area and surrounding counties. Julie brings with her a number of years of experience as a commercial and residential real estate paralegal. Most recently, Julie also has gained years of diverse experience in banking as a closing manager and business development officer for small business loans.
When she is not at work, Julie loves spending time with her family and taking walks with her dogs. She also enjoys time on the lake, swimming, and photography.