Feature Spotlight #40 - Claire Hartman

Her.Collective Featuring Claire Lanham Hartman

The Joyful Fixer: A Title Trailblazer Rooted in Texas Grit, Grace, and Great Danes.

In the heart of Central Texas, nestled among wildflowers and legacy, lives a woman whose journey through the title insurance industry reads like a love letter to perseverance, passion, and people. Meet Claire Lanham Hartman, Owner and Partner of First Community Title, a majority woman-owned company she helped acquire in 2017. With a career spanning nearly four decades, Claire is not just a seasoned title professional, she is a visionary, a problem-solver, a mentor, and a joyful force in an industry that often works behind the scenes but carries tremendous impact.

Wisdom Rooted in Legacy

Raised in Houston in the 1970s and now a proud resident of Salado, Claire comes from a rich Texas lineage. Her great-great-grandfather, Samuel Willis Tucker Lanham, served as Governor of Texas from 1903–1907. Her father, a successful attorney, switched careers to become a minister when she was born—humorously admitting he’d need divine help to raise her. Her mother, “Missy-Mom,” was a compassionate special education teacher.

That foundation of faith, service, and grit gave Claire the inner compass she still leans on today. “I’m a preacher’s kid, and my faith runs deep. I know who I am. I know whose I am. And I know I’ve been gifted with a different way of thinking. I’ve learned to embrace that—and it’s helped me show up for others in meaningful ways.”

From “Anything but Title” to a Lifelong Calling.

Claire didn’t always dream of working in title insurance. After earning her bachelor’s degree in real estate from Schreiner University in 1985, she briefly pursued a career in real estate sales and even considered a shift into early childhood development. But fate had other plans. In 1987, she answered a newspaper ad for a title company position in Kerrville, Texas. Though the branch closed shortly after she began, it was only the beginning.

Moving to Austin and turning to an employment agency, Claire told the recruiter she would do “anything but title insurance.” The very next day, the agency called and asked if she knew what “escrow” meant. That’s when she met Taresa Hale, the woman who would become her mentor and guiding light. Claire joined Taresa at Longhorn Title in Round Rock—and never looked back.

“Taresa raised me in this business,” Claire reflects. “She didn’t just teach me how to work a file—she taught me how to take care of people, to communicate clearly, even when the news isn’t easy. She taught me that title isn’t just about documents—it’s about trust.”

Claire’s path led her through numerous roles at respected companies, from NCNB (now Bank of America), where she managed internal closings on REO assets, to Alamo Title and then to Austin Title, where she sharpened her skills in the Round Rock branch. Then, in 2002, she was offered the opportunity to lead a small title agency in Temple, Texas—First Community Title. Fifteen years later, she became one of its proud owners, helping to build a company known for both professional excellence and heartfelt service.

A Woman Who Fixes What Others Fear.

Claire may hold the title of Owner/Partner, but around the office, she’s affectionately known as “The Fixer.” She thrives in complexity and finds her greatest strength in creative problem-solving. “My talent lies in thinking outside the box,” she says. “Because let’s face it—Plan A doesn’t always work.” 

She is also known across Central Texas for her work in Right of Way, a specialized niche that often requires navigating complex property disputes and infrastructure projects. Claire’s ability to remain calm, strategic, and collaborative makes her an invaluable asset to clients and colleagues alike.

Building Confidence, Breaking Barriers.

Despite working in a field historically dominated by men—particularly in the commercial transaction space—Claire never saw her gender as a limitation. “I was raised by parents who taught me I could be anything I wanted,” she shares. “I never questioned whether I belonged at the table.”

Still, building trust in a small-town market while competing against larger, “big city” operations wasn’t easy. Claire often had to prove that experience, heart, and hustle could match—if not surpass—the glitter of a bigger name. Her integrity, work ethic, and reputation for excellence ultimately became her differentiators.

Her advice for women entering the industry is both timeless and practical:

“Have a firm handshake. Look people in the eye. Dress like you mean business. And treat every client like they’re your only one. That’s how you build respect—and relationships.” 

She also encourages women to lean into their curiosity and not shy away from asking for help. “It’s a sign of confidence,” she says. “And a great way to learn.”

Claire is also the 2024-25 Texas Land Title President. She is the 110th President but only the 8th woman…so far! She feels honored to be in this position and recognizes the importance of leading the title industry and standing up in the face of adversity by working to bring people together for the common good of the consumer.

Legacy, Leadership & Never Losing Joy.

For Claire, the “why” behind her work runs deep. She sees her role in title not just as a profession, but as a service to others—helping them achieve dreams they may not have thought possible. One of her most memorable closings involved a newly divorced woman who had been told she’d never own a home on her own. That day, Claire handed her the keys—and watched a spark of belief ignite. “She told me her ex-husband would be picking up their child at her new house the following weekend,” Claire recalls. “She laughed and said, ‘He can’t come in—we won’t have furniture—but I have a house.’ That’s the joy of title insurance.”

That kind of joy, Claire says, is worth protecting. Her personal mantra—

“Never let them steal your joy”

is etched on her office wall and rooted in every interaction she has. “When you work with difficult people or face aggressors,” she advises, “don’t give them that power. Stay grounded in your professionalism. Own your mistakes, learn from them, and move forward with grace.”

A Life Rich in Love, Legacy & Legos.

Outside of the title world, Claire’s life is full of color and connection. She and her husband Bill, a retired Master Plumber and her self-proclaimed “McGyver Mechanical Engineer,” have been married for 26 years and raised a beautifully blended family. Together, they’ve raised five children—four of whom Bill had custody of when they married, and one daughter from Claire’s first marriage. 

Their family continues to grow, with five grandchildren ranging in age from 3 to 23, many of whom live just minutes away. And of course, the Hartman household wouldn’t be complete without their three beloved Great Danes—Alex, Gus, and baby Mowglii, a special needs pup who will soon be evaluated by specialists at Texas A&M.

Claire is a passionate gardener with a thriving 2,000 square-foot garden, a lover of porch flowers, and a self-proclaimed movie marathon enthusiast. “I deeply believe everyone has the right to be more than they ever thought they could be,” she says. “And I love helping people discover that.”

The Heart of Her Legacy.

As Claire looks to the future, her mission is clear: to raise up the next generation of title professionals who lead with courage, empathy, and a deep sense of purpose. “Integrity is everything,” she emphasizes. “It can be lost in a moment. But if you own your mistakes, if you keep your word, you can build a legacy that lasts.”

Her greatest hope? To be remembered as a positive, forward-thinking professional who made the industry better—by helping others become more than they believed they could be.

As she beautifully puts it: “We title insurers are like the Men in Black—fixing problems our clients never knew existed.” And few do it with as much joy, strength, and heart as Claire Lanham Hartman.

Thank you, Claire, for sharing your empowering story with Her.Collective!

**Connect with Claire here: claire.hartman@fcttx.com I LinkedIn I Instagram I Facebook