The Founder
Melissa (Missy) Horner
Missy is the proud owner of Empire Title Services, which she founded in 2003, though her journey in the title business began back in 1996.
Family is at the heart of everything Missy does. She loves working alongside her mother and daughters at Empire Title and cherishes every moment spent with her grandson. When she’s not working on getting closings to the table, you can find her outdoors doing any type of activity. Missy has such a passion for giving back , she actively supports local group/organizations that are the closest to her heart.
Email: Missy@empiretitleservice.com
Kelly West
Escrow Officer
Email: Kelly@empiretitleservice.com
Kelly started in the banking industry in 1990 and then shifted to the title industry in 2016 and landed at Empire Title in 2018. She is married and has three grown children. She loves spending time at the beach, watching baseball, softball, football and track and field, and spending time with her four grandkids.
Shane Cleveland
Closing Agent
Email: Shane@empiretitleservice.com
Shane joined the Empire Team in the Summer of 2023. His prior work experience includes time with First Bank Richmond and Earlham College. In 2019 Shane graduated from Thomas College in Waterville, Maine, with a Degree in Marketing.
Kim Cox
Search Examiner
Email: Kimc@empiretitleservice.com
Kim has been with Empire Title for over ten years and brings over 30 years of title experience to the team. She handles multiple administrative tasks. She enjoys family time with her two grown children and 5 grandchildren and quiet nights with her husband, Joe.
Rachel Ferris
Executive Assistant
Rachel transitioned to Empire Title after spending the majority of her professional career in the local banking industry. In her personal time, she remains active, enjoying walks with her dogs, Roscoe and Delilah, as well as scrapbooking, solving puzzles, and reading.
Beverly Helms
Human Resources Director
Email: Bev@empiretitleservice.com
Bev has been with Empire Title since day one in 2003, and if Empire had a heartbeat—it would be hers. With a background in healthcare and a natural instinct for caring for people, Bev transitioned seamlessly into the world of HR, where she’s been the glue holding the team together ever since.
Known around the office as the “Superwoman of Melissa,” Bev keeps everything running smoothly behind the scenes while also playing her proudest role—Grandma to the girls. She brings a steady hand, a sharp mind, and a whole lot of heart to every conversation, contract, and company milestone.
Married for 49 years to Empire’s very own Director of Maintenance, Bev’s roots run deep in both family and the foundation of Empire Title. She’s not just part of the team—she’s part of the legacy.
Bailey Horner
Post Closing Coordinator
Bailey has grown up with Empire in her DNA—helping in the file room since she was just tall enough to reach the folders. Today, she’s our Post Closing Director, making sure every “i” is dotted, every “t” is crossed, and every file is perfectly bound and complete. If it’s been closed, Bailey’s made sure it’s wrapped with a bow.
Outside the office, she’s flying high—literally. Bailey is studying to become a pilot, all while remodeling her first home and preparing to welcome her first baby. With a nursery to decorate and dreams taking flight, she brings energy, precision, and a fresh perspective to everything she touches.
From title files to flight plans, Bailey’s always one step ahead—and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Kendall Horner-Harris
Client Experience Coordinator
Kendall is the friendly face and calm voice behind our Client Experience operations—making sure every client feels confident, cared for, and completely in the loop. With a natural gift for making people feel at ease, she brings a personal touch to every interaction, ensuring Empire’s signature service shines through.
When she’s not delivering top-tier client care, Kendall’s juggling nursing school, raising her little one (with baby #2 on the way!), and supporting her fiancé in law enforcement. She also helps run her family’s chicken farm with her siblings and finds her happy place outdoors—whether it’s fresh air, sunshine, or just a little quiet in the chaos.
From customer service to country life, Kendall brings heart, hustle, and a whole lot of warmth to the Empire family.
Mike Helms
Director of Maintenance
Email: Mike@empiretitleservice.com
If something needs fixing, Mike’s already on it. As Empire Title’s Director of Maintenance—and Melissa’s dad—Mike has been a cornerstone of the company from the beginning. Whether he’s patching a roof, handling HVAC, or rescuing a stubborn toilet, Mike’s the guy who keeps every Empire location running like a well-oiled machine.
Married to Bev (our HR Superwoman) and proud father to Melissa, Mike is part of the heartbeat behind our family-first culture. Around here, we like to say it’s a family thing—and Mike’s the living proof of that. Dependable, humble, and always ready with a toolbelt and a smile, he’s the unsung hero who holds it all together.
