The American Land Title Association announced the planned departure of its Chief Executive Officer Kurt Pfotenhauer on Monday. Pfotenhauer is exiting his position at the trade group to join First American Title Insurance Co. as executive vice president and vice chairman, according to a press release from First American. First American said, “Pfotenhauer will maintain executive-level relationships with the nation’s largest money center banks and assist with political and legislative relations for the corporation.” Pfotenhauer arrived at ALTA in January 2008 after spending five years serving the Mortgage Bankers Association as senior vice president of government affairs. Pfotenhauer also serves on the board of MERSCORP Inc., which owns and operates the MERS national electronic registration system that tracks mortgage servicing rights. “We are genuinely sorry to see Kurt leave ALTA, but he has built an extremely talented staff that is completely capable of keeping the association on a positive path to future success,” said Anne Anastasi, president of ALTA. Pfotenhauer was previously the chief lobbyist for the MBA, according to a press release issued by the MBA upon Pfotenhauer’s arrival three years ago. Pfotenhauer previously served as U.S. Senator Gordon Smith’s (R-Ore.) chief of staff. He was twice named one of Washington D.C.’s top lobbyists, according to First American. Write to Kerri Panchuk.