Executive Team

Hello...I’m Lane Gidney, the President and CEO of Equity Title Agency, and I want to thank you for visiting our website. In our website you will see words like, Professional, Knowledgeable, and Passionate...these are truly not just words as they represent the quality of people we have working here at Equity Title Agency.

We are a company that has been proudly serving the real estate and lending community in Arizona since 1996, and we look forward to the opportunity of providing you with an experience that will exceed your expectations!

Lane Gidney

Lane Gidney

President, Chief Executive Officer

Proven Executive Leader with over 40 years of Title and Escrow experience. Responsibilities include, but not limited to, Financial Strategy ,Profit and Growth Strategies, Sales and Marketing initiatives,recruitment for Senior Executive Leadership and Key Talent.

Lori Pennington

Lori Pennington

VP / Escrow Administrator

Lori has been a successful Branch Manager with Equity for more than 4 years and has worked in the Escrow industry for over 40 years. Her Escrow career began literally at the ground floor as a clerk filing microfiche. She worked her way into an assistant’s position and soon after became an Escrow Officer, and eventually an Escrow Branch Manager in 1988. She has expertise in all facets of Escrow and is adept at everything from refinances and residential resale to newbuilds, commercial, creative financing, government transactions, short sales and foreclosures, investors and even Condo conversions.

Lori also has significant Escrow Admin experience, having acted as liaison between Escrow and Admin departments at one of her former employers, as well as working on the acquisition, staff on-boarding and file transition during a company merger. Her experience has been valuable in her ability to hire and train staff, and she prides herself on having many of her mentees move into senior escrow positions at companies around the valley.

Lori ventured into a brief Real Estate Career in the 1990’s, and while she ultimately heeded the call back to escrow, the experience enhanced her ability to understand and relate to her Realtor customers, helping her become an even more effective Branch Manager. Her work at our Suprise office has been impressive…..taking a languishing office and turning it into a consistently profitable and problem free branch, as well as a great place to work.

When she gets some time to herself Lori and husband Jim head to Northern AZ to their cabin in the woods or relax with family and friends. They love the outdoors, but Lori is also fond of quiet time with a good book or hitting the kitchen to test new recipes on friends willing to take a dare!

Margaret Gibbons

Margaret Gibbons

VP / Legal Counsel / Compliance Officer

Handling all business legal needs, managing outside litigation counsel, assisting in human resource concerns and all other legal needs that arise, Margaret is proud to have served Equity Title for over 12 years. Starting in the commercial real estate industry in the 1980s, she has handled transaction work including financing, acquisition/disposition, sale/leasebacks, contracts, entitlements, zoning, leasing and large property asset management, among other areas. She is a Board Member Legislative Committee member of the Land Title Association of Arizona. Margaret is the past Chair of the State Bar of Arizona In-House Counsel Committee, and is a Board Member of the Arizona Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel. She regularly volunteers for the SBA Wills for Heroes and Connecting With Classrooms programs. Margaret has also been a certified mediator for over 15 years.

Tom Diller

Tom Diller

Vice President / Director of Business Development

Reporting directly to the President of Equity Title Agency, I am tasked with developing new Corporate Relationships while helping to strengthen existing relationships. My extensive  background in Business to Business sales and sales management complement my role of helping direct the marketing efforts and relationship development of the company. With 22 years of experience in sales management,  10 of those in lending and 12 in title and escrow management, my primary focus is to ensure our Realtor and Lender Customers receive the best possible experience with Equity Title Agency.  In addition I direct the activities of our Business Development Managers and oversee the day to day operations of the Customer Service Department.

Jeremy Thompson

Jeremy Thompson

Vice President / Title Manager

Jeremy has over 20 years of title and escrow experience. Adept in leading teams in the delivery of title and escrow information to stakeholders, reviewing regulatory documents, solving title and escrow issues, and ensuring alignment of branch goals with business goals.  Extensive experience in overseeing branch operations profitability, including goal establishment, communication and execution, while building teams, monitoring all title/escrow processes.  Jeremy is an avid off road enthusiast and volunteers for a dog rescue organization in his spare time.

Sean Gallagher

Sean Gallagher

Vice President / Information Technology

Mr. Gallagher brings over 25 years of Information Technology and management experience. After his time in the US Navy, he worked for companies like Motorola, Intel, and American Express.  Mr. Gallagher made the leap from a purely computer support/network management position to a network architecture and design role when coming to work for Equity Title in 2000.  He has developed the network from humble beginnings on Novell, into the advanced virtualized modern environment it is today.

Marie Soja

Marie Soja

AVP / Executive Assistant / IMPACT Administrator

Marie has been in the Title and Escrow industry for over 30 years.

Her background includes Title Management, Customer Service Management, Office Management and Escrow.

Ty Criner

Ty Criner

Assistant Vice President / Corporate Facilities Manager / Customer Service Manager / Telecommunications Manager

Ty has worked in the Title and Escrow industry for over 20 years. Ty joined Equity Title managing the Customer Service Department. Ty has proven his skills in Title, Vendor Management, I.T., Corporate Facilities and other technical areas. Ty currently manages the Customer Service Department and all Telecommunication and Software Administration in conjunction with the Director of I.T. Ty has been with Equity Title Agency since 2007.

Melinda Peru

Melinda Peru

Assistant Vice President

Melinda has been working in the Real-estate Industry for over 25 yrs. and serving the West Valley for the past 22 making the West Valley her area of expertise.

Melinda is currently the Manager of our Sun City Branch, where she is known for her knowledge, efficiency and has built a reputation for accuracy. Melinda is a leader who has a heart for her team and clients and always goes above and beyond to anticipate their needs.

Dawn Robinson

Dawn Robinson

Assistant Vice President

Dawn is currently the Branch Manager of the Equity Title Biltmore office. She has been in the Title and Escrow industry for over 25 years.  Dawn’s experience and high standards to service makes her an asset to her clients.