LEAPS AND BOUNDS

Title Guaranty opens new branch

A new branch of Title Guaranty of Hawaii Inc. has opened at Pearlridge Center, at 98-167 Kaonohi St. near Bed Bath & Beyond, headed by branch manager Sherrie Kimata.

The escrow company's new branch brings the number of its Hawaii offices to 19.




Title Guaranty President David Pietsch Jr. noted the "sheer volume of transactions" in West Oahu for the expansion. "We see the market gaining traction as positive economic reports provide consumer confidence to purchase homes," and cited activity in the refinancing, short-sale and foreclosure markets as well.

PIETSCY KEEN

Army honors law professor for service in Iraq

The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday May 4, 2010 14:59:17 EDT

HONOLULU — A University of Hawaii law professor has received an Army award
for helping to establish legal rules in Iraq.

James Pietsch on Friday was awarded the U.S. Secretary of the Army Public
Service Award for extraordinary contributions to the Law and Order Task
Force of multinational forces in Baghdad from June 2007 through August 2007.

The task force helped the Iraqi government promote the rule of law during
the surge. Pietsch later returned as an adviser to two reconstruction teams.