From the time I graduated from Covington High School in 1985, I have always believed in hard work, attention to detail, and serving people.
 
After high school, I attended Northwest Mississippi Community College and then continued my education at Tennessee Technology School, where I earned my dental assistant license. I worked as a dental assistant for 16 years before beginning a new chapter in my career in the title industry. I went to work for a title company in Memphis, where I cleared titles and existing liens so families could purchase homes with clear ownership. Title work came naturally to me. It was like putting together a puzzle — every piece had to fit perfectly.
 
In our industry, we call it the “chain of title,” following ownership from one property owner to the next. I quickly developed a passion for understanding land records, deeds, and property ownership. I was promoted to Assistant Manager in just four months. In 2006, I joined David Owen’s office, where I have proudly worked ever since. Over the last 25 years, I have closed more than one billion dollars in real estate transactions. I currently close between 300 and 350 transactions every year, ranging from small properties valued at $10,000 to major transactions, including an $8.9 million closing earlier this year.
 
Every file I close must balance to the penny.
 
This is not my money and it is not the law firm’s money — it belongs to the client purchasing or refinancing their property. As the closer, I make sure every transaction is accurate and every party is paid correctly. I prepare and process documents that are recorded every day in the Register of Deeds office. I calculate recording fees, prepare deeds and title policies, and work with documents from the beginning of a title search all the way through closing. I understand this process from start to finish. 
I also balance five escrow accounts and undergo regular audits by our title company every two years. In 25 years, I have never failed an audit.
 
My career has always been built on one thing: detail.
 
I learned it early. While attending Northwest, I worked at Worldwide Art Studios inspecting products where every cup had to be perfect — not one speck out of place. 
As a dental assistant, precision mattered every day because every instrument had to be exactly where it belonged. Those experiences taught me attention to detail long before I entered the title industry. Today, I believe I bring a unique combination of experience to the Register of Deeds office. I understand real estate law. I understand deeds, title work, land records, recording processes, and the importance of accuracy. I understand the responsibility of protecting public records because I work with them every day. The Register of Deeds office deserves leadership that understands the work, understands the records, and understands the people it serves.
 
I would be honored to earn your vote on August 6th.

Stephanie Presley
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