HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Stewart Title Guaranty Company today announced that John Frates has been appointed as the new Northeast States District Manager. In his new role, Frates will be responsible for all Agency Operations in New York and New Jersey, and also serve as President and General Counsel of Stewart Title Insurance Company, New York.

“John’s knowledge and leadership have been integral to our continued success in the Northeast,” said Patrick Beall, Group President, Stewart. “The opportunity to leverage his talent further into the Agency side of our business will help us serve our independent agents at a much higher level. We are very pleased to have John take on these roles.”

Frates will also continue to lead Stewart underwriters as the Regional Underwriting Counsel in New York and New Jersey.

“John and his team will bring seamless, best in class service to our independent agents in New York and New Jersey,” said John Killea, Chief Legal Officer, Stewart Information Services Corp.

With John’s expanded role Stewart has elevated two experienced senior underwriters, Jutta Deeney and Doug Goss, to take on new roles as Regional Underwriting Counsel for New England and the Mid-Atlantic states, respectively.

Frates has worked in the title insurance industry since 1985 as a title closer, examiner and reader. Since joining Stewart in 1998, Frates has held many roles as an operations manager, and New York State Counsel, executive vice president and general counsel for the New York Underwriter, and as Senior Vice President and Regional Underwriting Counsel/Senior Underwriter for Stewart Title Guaranty Company for New England and Mid-Atlantic regions. He is a member of the New York State Land Title Association (NYSLTA) executive committee, past president of the Title Insurance Rate Service Associations, Inc. (TIRSA), and a member of the New York State, and Connecticut Bar Associations. Frates earned his B.A. from Franklin and Marshall College and his J.D. from the University of Dayton School of Law.

Frates will continue working out of the New York offices located at 300 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017, and can be reached at jfrates@stewart.com.

About Stewart

Stewart Information Services Corporation (NYSE-STC) is a global real estate services company, offering products and services through our direct operations, network of Stewart Trusted Providers™ and family of companies. From residential and commercial title insurance and closing and settlement services to specialized offerings for the mortgage industry, we offer the comprehensive service, deep expertise and solutions our customers need for any real estate transaction. At Stewart, we believe in building strong relationships – and these partnerships are the cornerstone of every closing, every transaction and every deal. Stewart. Real partners. Real possibilities.™ More information is available at stewart.com, subscribe to the Stewart blog at blog.stewart.com, or follow Stewart on Twitter® @stewarttitleco. Trademarks are the property of their respective owners.