Leo French
Founder

Leo French began his career in the title and escrow business in 1960. With an aspiration and a vision to create a unique company and work environment, Leo founded Placer Title Company in 1973. His dream was to bring together a group of people who really care about each other and about their customers. "My dream was that our customers would always be treated in a very special way, and that our company would, over time, gain a reputation as the cream of crop - the best in the business. That Placer Title Company would be known, wherever it operated, as a company that stood out above the rest." Leo is still actively involved in the daily operations of PTC, and enjoys spending his down time with Eileen, his wife of 50 years, and his 5 children, 8 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.

Marsha A. Emmett
Chairman of the Board & Chief Executive Officer

Marsha Emmett has over 30 years of experience in the title and escrow industry, proudly serving Placer Title Company since 1975, and Mother Lode Holding Company since its inception. With extensive experience on all sides of title and escrow, Marsha has served as an Escrow Officer, Branch Manager, County Manager and in upper level management. Marsha was appointed President of Placer Title Company in 1997, Chief Executive Officer of Placer Title in 2001 and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mother Lode Holding Company in 2006. Marsha is also CEO of North Idaho Title headquartered in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho and Montana Title and Escrow, headquartered in Bozeman, Montana. Marsha is a board member for the California Land Title Association (CLTA) and recently served as the President of CLTA (term ended 4/06), a member of the California Escrow Association, Lamda Alpha, SACTO, Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Urban Land Institute and the California Business Properties Association.

Jim Johnston
President

Jim Johnston has over 39 years of experience in the title and escrow industry, and has been a proud member of Placer Title Company since 1983. Jim has held numerous positions during his tenure at PTC, including President of El Dorado County, Sacramento and Yuba-Sutter Counties. From 1987 through 1992, Jim served as the Regional Vice President of County Operations. In 2002 he was appointed President of PTC and President of MLHC in 2005.

David Philipp
Chief Financial Officer

David Philipp has more than 15 years of financial management experience in several industries, including technology, financial services and retail. Prior to joining Mother Lode Holding Company and Placer Title Company, he provided financial management and investment banking services to emerging technology companies and was the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of a supply-chain technology company from 1999 to 2001.

From 1992 to 1999, Philipp served as Executive Vice President, CFO and Secretary of First Financial Bancorp, a publicly held bank holding company headquartered in Central California. He has been a member of the Board of Directors of First Financial Bancorp since 1999.

Prior to joining First Financial Bancorp, Philipp was budget director and financial analyst for a national jewelry retailer and was employed by KPMG, LLP, a global accounting and consulting firm. Philipp is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a B.S. degree in business administration from California State University, Sacramento.

Patricia Laffin-Miko
Executive Vice President, Secretary & General Counsel

Patricia Laffin-Miko has served as General Counsel for Placer Title Company since 1993. She is responsible for all legal services of the company, its parent company, Mother Lode and its affiliates.

Laffin-Miko has more than 25 years of experience in all areas of real estate law including title insurance and escrow, construction, lending, real estate brokerage, acquisitions, leasing and commercial litigation. Prior to joining the Mother Lode family, Laffin-Miko was the lead attorney for Fred Sands Realtors, a large residential and commercial real estate brokerage firm in Southern California. She previously served as Claims Counsel for Safeco Title and Underwriting Counsel for Chicago Title. She also has held a California real estate broker's license and was a broker for a small Marin County real estate firm.

She holds a B.A. from University of California and a J.D. from McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific.