It was spring of 1986, remembers Laurel Niemi and Deb Ormseth.
That was the date when the twosome was hired and began to work for their current employer, Consolidated Abstract Company of Becker County, Inc.
"I was hired March 31," said Ormseth. "My hire date was April 7," added Niemi.
Today, Niemi is an abstractor for Consolidated Abstract, and Ormseth works with title insurance, commercial files and collection. Niemi helps to maintain their computer network system, and both she and Ormseth are licensed abstractors.
"When we started, there were only five us," said Ormseth. "We were located in the courthouse, and we kind of learned our jobs and each other's as well."
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A lot has changed since the duo's date of hire. Besides moving to a larger building approximately 10 years ago, technology has changed the way and speed of their business.
"When we started, we did everything by mail, and overnight mail when it was needed in a rush," explained Ormseth. "Today, everything is done by fax and e-mail."
With the advent of computers and fast moving fax communications, things are now done in an hour, on the same day, added Niemi.
"I remember using carbon forms," recalls Ormseth.
"Now it's all done on network software," continued Niemi.
Consolidated Abstract's primary function is to research city records and prepare abstracts and other evidence of title history concerning tracts of lands in Becker County. Additionally, through Becker County Title Services, Inc., Consolidated Abstract also provides real estate closing functions for both residential and commercial real estate transactions.
Having owned Consolidated Abstract since 1985, Dale Wilde noted he, Niemi and Ormseth have now worked together for almost two decades.
"Laurel and Deb have been with me from the start and have been a real asset," said Wilde. "Working with them for the past 20 years has been great. We are very much a customer focused business, and Laurel and Deb have supported that mission from day one."
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Consolidated Abstract of Becker County, Inc. and Becker County Title Services, Inc. are located at 828 Minnesota Ave., just west of the lower mall parking lot. For more information, call 847-2144 or log onto www.cactitle.com .
