Meet the Team
True North is powered by a talented and growing team with decades of experience in real estate, title services, management, marketing, and finance. Together, we’re committed to delivering trusted expertise and exceptional service to every client we serve across Wisconsin.
Our Janesville Team
TAMMY AMPOMAH
General Manager
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With 25+ years in the title industry, Tammy is committed to delivering a seamless customer experience. She has led a team of 15 and supported over 120 staff, while leveraging her passion for technology to streamline processes.
Outside of work, Tammy enjoys the traditions of Door County, particularly a good fish boil (without the fish).
CAROLYN DAMMEN
Assistant Manager
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Carolyn has over 12 years of experience in the title insurance industry, committed to making every closing smooth and stress-free.
For fun, Carolyn enjoys golfing, working out, traveling, and spending weekends at the lake cottage with her husband of 20 years, Aaron, and their two children, Lauren and Connor.
SAMANTHA FREITAG
Director of Business Operations
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Samantha brings two decades of experience in customer service, business development, and keeping things organized—but while she’s new to the title world, she’s not new to taking care of people. She’s motivated by learning new things, building relationships, and helping clients feel at ease through what can sometimes be a complex process.
Outside the office, Samantha is either traveling somewhere around the world or trying to keep up with her two busy boys.
DEB DONGARRA
Director of Business Development
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With nearly 40 years in title insurance, Deb brings expertise, integrity, and a strong connection to the Janesville community. She serves on the City’s Plan Commission and has held roles on the City Council, local advisory boards, and revitalization efforts.
Outside of work and meetings, Deb enjoys exploring new places, meeting interesting people, and discovering great restaurants—she’s a foodie at heart!
PATTI SMITH
Senior Title Examiner
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With 25+ years in the title industry, Patti has progressed from typing finals to becoming a Title Examiner. She values the constant opportunity to learn and grow.
Outside of work, Patti enjoys outdoor activities with her husband of 38 years, whether biking or relaxing with a good book on the beach.
CAMERON OLIVEIRA-SHAHINFAR
Title Examiner
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Before law school, Cameron gained hands-on experience in the mortgage industry, sparking her passion for real estate and finance law. She earned her J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 2022 and now blends legal knowledge with practical insight in her title work.
Outside the office, she enjoys cooking, reading, and spending time with her very spoiled chihuahua, Viggo.
LYNNETTE RODRIGUEZ
Closer
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With over six years as a Closing Officer, Lynnette balances her love for real estate with her passion for skincare, running both careers part-time. She enjoys the variety and learning that title work brings, as well as the personal connections through skincare.
Outside of work, she spends time with her husband, kids, four dogs, two cats, and tending to her garden.
AMBER HOLTERMAN
Closing Processor
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Amber recently joined the title industry after 25+ years in retail management. While her dream of becoming a professional soup taster didn’t pan out, she’s excited for this new chapter and eager to learn and grow.
In her free time, Amber enjoys reading, coffee, overthinking, and spending time with her cats, kids, grandkids, and—when possible—her husband.
GRACIE FREITAG
Construction / Searcher
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Gracie is new to the world of real estate and title insurance and is eager to learn and grow. She studied at UW–Whitewater at Rock County and was drawn to True North’s positive culture and strong sense of teamwork. Gracie enjoys connecting with new people and diving deeper into the title industry.
Outside of work, she loves spending time at her family’s cabin, relaxing on the lake, and boating.
KARI BIDDICK
Staff Accountant
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With more than 20 years of experience, Kari is excited to bring her expertise into a new industry and take on fresh challenges. She has a strong passion for working with numbers and thrives on problem-solving and continuous learning.
Outside the office, Kari enjoys traveling, cheering on her kids at sporting events, and spending time with her husband, two children, and their dog.
AMANDA WENZEL
Accounting Assistant
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Amanda brings 15 years of experience working with numbers and enjoys the challenge of problem solving and finding the right solution. Her attention to detail and analytical mindset help ensure accuracy and efficiency in every transaction.
Outside of work, Amanda enjoys reading, attending her son’s sporting events, and spending time with him and their dog. She is excited to apply her experience in a new industry and appreciates the positive, team-focused culture at True North.
KELLY KING
Searcher
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With over five years in the title industry, including experience as a Title Examiner, Kelly brings a sharp attention to detail and a love for property research to True North Title. She focuses on building strong client relationships, supporting her team, and helping the company grow through community involvement and exceptional service.
Originally from Michigan, Kelly enjoys visiting family with her husband and three kids, staying active with friends, and cheering on her children in sports.
Our Fond du Lac Team
KEVIN LAST
Manager
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With 25 years of experience as a Title Examiner in both Colorado and Wisconsin, Kevin brings deep expertise in commercial and residential transactions. He enjoys being part of True North’s supportive team and contributing his knowledge to every file.
Outside of work, Kevin loves watching his three kids play sports, playing guitar, running sound for his church, and dreaming of one day becoming a pilot.
TINA MATA-CALVIN
Escrow Officer
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With over 17 years in the industry, Tina brings both knowledge and heart to her work and has a special passion for helping first-time homebuyers. She loves being part of True North’s positive, supportive team and looks forward to growing alongside her colleagues.
Outside of work, Tina enjoys “glamping,” planning new adventures, and spending time with her husband, children, and six grandchildren.
ELISE MATA
Construction Escrow Officer / Searcher
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Elise brings over 20 years of customer service experience and is excited to continue growing in the title industry. She was drawn to True North’s commitment to exceptional service, innovation, and community, and she loves building lasting relationships with clients.
Outside of work, Elise enjoys all things creative and artistic and is a proud wife and mom of four.
Our Madison Team
LACEY THOMAS
Closer
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With 13 years of title industry experience, Lacey is dedicated to providing exceptional customer service and creating a positive closing experience for every client. She takes pride in guiding buyers and sellers through each transaction with professionalism, clear communication, and attention to detail.
Outside of the office, Lacey enjoys trying new recipes, listening to live music, and making the most of summer by spending time on the lake with family and friends.
ABBY LINDAHL
Processor
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Abby has worked in the title industry for five years and enjoys helping customers navigate the closing process with confidence and care. She values building strong relationships and is committed to making every transaction as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Outside of work, Abby enjoys spending time with her wife, their cat Hazel, and their dog Luca. She also loves kayaking, hiking, reading, and spending time outdoors.
ELISE JESSUP
Business Development
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Elise brings two years of experience in the title industry to her role in Business Development, where she enjoys connecting with clients and building meaningful relationships. With a background in marketing and nonprofit work, she brings a strong foundation in communication, outreach, and relationship-building to her work. She is excited to get to know clients throughout Dane County and help support them every step of the way.
Outside of work, Elise enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter and teaching her students classical ballet.
Our Northwoods Team
MICHELLE NELSON
Manager
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With 30+ years in the title industry, Michelle brings expertise in management, search/examining, construction, and her true passion — closings. Now focused on sales and marketing, she’s excited to grow opportunities in the Northwoods.
Outside of work, Michelle enjoys kayaking, gardening, cooking, reading, and a good glass of red wine. She lives by the words: “Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.” – Albert Einstein
KIM SCHAFFER
Title Examiner
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Born and raised in Eagle River, Kim has spent nearly three decades in the title insurance industry, including 28 years as a licensed title examiner. With a business degree from UW-Superior, she brings both experience and dedication to serving clients.
She also serves as President of the City Council and on the Plan Commission, focusing on responsible development and preserving Eagle River’s character. The Northwoods has always been home—and she especially enjoys its beauty in the fall.
PAMELA NIEMI
Customer Service Coordinator
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Pamela is new to the title industry and brings four years of insurance experience, along with more than 15 years in customer service, public speaking, staff management, and grant writing and management. She enjoys working with people and helping clients navigate services to achieve their goals.
Outside of work, Pamela enjoys spending time with family and friends, fishing, kayaking, gardening, cooking, and long walks with her two King Charles Cavaliers, Ruger and Daize.
AMBER CROWELL
Title Examiner
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With more than 34 years of experience as a legal assistant, Amber brings exceptional attention to detail and a passion for helping others. She enjoys learning every aspect of the title industry, especially the process of researching and piecing together a property's ownership history.
Outside of work, Amber enjoys spending time with her family, husband, and dogs, binge-watching her favorite TV shows, and adding to her collection of clothes, makeup, and jewelry. She loves making people laugh and is always happy to lend a helping hand.
Our Walworth Team
TRISTA SMITH
Manager / Closer
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With a career in real estate beginning in 1996 and title work since 2007, all in Walworth County, Trista is passionate about helping others through exceptional customer service and attention to detail. She values building strong relationships and helping transactions move smoothly from start to finish.
Outside of work, Trista enjoys hiking, kayaking, UTV and motorcycle trips, and spending time with family and friends. She has been married to her husband, Jeff, for 29 years and is a proud mom to Ethan and Emilie, along with fur babies Dixie and Daisy.
BARB CESAR
Closer
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With 27 years in the title industry, Barb brings extensive knowledge and a deep understanding of the closing process. She enjoys that no two days are ever the same and appreciates the variety and problem-solving each transaction brings. Barb takes pride in helping every deal move smoothly from start to finish through her reliability, experience, and attention to detail.
Outside of work, Barb enjoys spending time with family and friends and making the most of every season in Wisconsin.
DOREEN NEVELIER
Title Examiner
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With 35 years of experience in the title industry, Doreen has worked in nearly every role before finding her specialty in title searching and examining. Her well-rounded background gives her a strong understanding of the process and an exceptional eye for detail, helping ensure each transaction is handled with care and accuracy.
Outside of work, Doreen enjoys spending time with family and “junking” around the area with her husband, always searching for unique finds.
CARRIE SCHMIDT
Title Examiner
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With 10 years of experience in title searching, Carrie enjoys the challenges and problem-solving that come with each search. Her attention to detail and dedication help ensure accurate and thorough results for every transaction.
Outside of work, Carrie spends much of her time at her seasonal trailer at Pride of America in Portage, enjoying weekends there from spring through fall.
PATSY BINSTOCK
Title Examiner
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With more than 30 years in the industry, Patsy brings extensive experience and a passion for continuous learning to every transaction. She enjoys that there is always something new to discover, and her knowledge and dedication help create a smooth and dependable experience for those she works with.
Outside of work, Patsy enjoys spending time with family and friends, taking weekend trips, and going for walks with her dog, Ellie.
JENNIFER RINGHAND
Title Examiner
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With 20 years of industry experience, Jennifer enjoys that every property and transaction is unique. Her attention to detail and knowledge of the closing process help ensure a smooth and reliable experience from start to finish.
Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys watching her kids play sports and cheering on the Packers, Brewers, and Bucks. She also loves playing bingo, especially music bingo.
ABBIE TOPOREK
Reception, Order Entry & Processing
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With three years of experience in the real estate industry, Abbie enjoys building connections and learning something new with every transaction. She has a strong interest in the home buying and selling process and is known for being approachable, reliable, and committed to creating a smooth and positive experience for clients.
Outside of work, Abbie enjoys spending time with her two cats, Penny and Milo.
