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Speaker Biographies
Ben Graber
After being born and raised in Berkeley, California, Ben received his Bachelors in History and American Indian Studies from San Francisco State; then went on to complete his MA degree in U.S. History with a specialization in Race and Gender, 20th Century-United States. Ben studied the History of Latin America as well as the Middle East, and has presented academic papers at the Human Rights Conference in San Francisco and the California Indian Conference. Ben was a History professor for seven years at University of Phoenix, Bay Area campus. Now, Ben is an Immigration Consultant as well as a notary. Ben’s wife is from Mexico, and although her English is absolutely perfect, her family speaks only Spanish and so Ben learned Spanish to communicate with them. Ben also does volunteer work in Spanish-speaking communities in the East Bay; notarizing, translating and helping out where he can.
Patti Wulfesteig
Patti is a commissioned Notary Public and worked with the NNA for 12 years; starting as a Seminar Instructor, becoming the Compliance Specialist for Notary law and best practices, and retired as Manager of Hotline Services last summer. She led the NNA seminar team that revamped the California Notary Seminar presentations in 2010, leading to higher passing rates for attendees. She has led many NNA Conference workshops, and traveled to many states to teach Notary law. Though retired, she still fields occasional questions regarding Notary laws and best practices and procedures. Patti enjoys people and likes keeping busy. Currently she spends a lot of time with her community quilting group, enjoying her grandchildren, and taking those vacations she never had time for!
Zion Brock
Owner of Get Known Strategy
(www.GetKnownStrategy.com)
As a former avionics engineer, and now an entrepreneur and music producer, Zion knows firsthand the challenges of changing careers and following your passion. Creator and founder of “The Triple Threat Artist” online course, and co-founder of “Get Known” with Bill Soroka, he’s poured himself into creating online platforms and strategies to make money while doing what he loves. Notary work helped to bridge the gap as he left his corporate engineering world and transitioned into working as an online entrepreneur to follow his passion. He has a deep love for helping others in the field of Notarization to assist them in establishing themselves and grow their own businesses. Now, with the ‘Get Known Strategy’ he teaches, and his “Get Known” service, he has in place tools and services to help notaries and other small business owners to grow their business by leveraging social media platforms and communication.
Nina Penny
(www.simplereversemortgage.net/about-nina/)
Nina’s commitment to educating mature clients about Reverse Mortgages led her to earning the Certified Reverse Mortgage Professional (“CRMP”) title, an honor shared by less than 150 people nationwide. Her journey started 16 years ago when a friend asked for her thoughts about Reverse Mortgages. Nina had been in the banking industry since the mid-80s and worked with several great mentors such as Dick Parsons (who later went on to become CEO of Time Warner), but was not very familiar with Reverse Mortgages back then. Wanting to help her friend, she educated herself about the product, and shared what she had learned. Her friend felt comfortable with her decision to get a Reverse Mortgage, and Nina saw firsthand, the positive impact a reverse mortgage can bring. Since that time, she has been passionate in educating others to ensure that mature clients have the information they need to decide if a Reverse Mortgage is right for them.
Marcy Tiberio
Owner of Professional Notary Services, Inc.
(www.ProfessionalNotaryServices.biz)
Marcy’s company is a national signing company, and she is also a notary signing agent. Marcy started in the business as a receptionist for a national title company and worked her way up to Assistant Vice President. She was instrumental in helping another local title company start up their own settlement division. Her last stop, before entrepreneurship, was as the closing department manager for a multi-state mortgage banker where she also assisted in helping to sell loans on the secondary market. Marcy was a National Notary Association 2015 Notary of the Year Honoree and is committed to mentoring notaries and helping them to grow their business.
Laura Biewer
Owner, Coach Me Laura
(www.CoachMeLaura.com)
Laura became a notary in 2004 and became a Certified Notary Signing Agent that same year. Since 2016, her business has been named by Yelp! as a “top 10 notary service in the Modesto and surrounding areas”. Laura saw a need for notaries who needed additional training and established Coach Me Laura coaching services to fill the gap. She provides private coaching services for new notaries and presentation of loan documents for notary signing agents. Laura Biewer Presents (LBP) Replay Library was created to help notaries who want to develop specialty services for notary work beyond loan signings. Laura has provided California-mandated notary training on behalf of the National Notary Association for thousands of notaries since 2006. Laura is frequently sought out as a featured speaker at events including state paralegal conferences, Montana SOS Notary Conference, and in-service training for hospice staff.
Staff Biographies
Bill Soroka
Owner, Notary Coach
(www.NotaryCoach.com)
Bill is a full time loan signing agent in Phoenix, AZ, with a team of notaries that can facilitate signings in all 50 states. Through the systemization of the loan signing process, commitment to personal development, and a devout focus on cultivating relationships, he’s built a multiple six-figure mobile notary business. Bill is passionate about sharing these strategies and skills through his online course and community, Sign & Thrive.
Kerri Marvel
Owner, Kerri Marvel Services (www.KerriMarvelServices.com)
Kerri is a full-time website designer, Notary Signing Agent and Mobile Notary. She handles the Notary Symposium website and is part of the staff behind the annual event. Kerri also provides pre-paid legal plans and identity protection via LegalShield, and is working on her personal Recipe, and Vinyl Record websites.
Valerie Barrett
Owner, Notary Docs
(www.Notary-Docs.com)
As a successful notary, mentor and small business owner in Orange County, CA, Valerie is proud to be a nationwide presenter for notarial webinars and Learning Centers, including Lorman Learning Center, implementing a successful policy for notary employees and notary policies and procedures. She has participated in trial experience and cross-examination as an expert witness in legal cases where notary documents were challenged. She is a faculty member of Kaplan University. Her background in real estate and the medical field has proven to be a tremendous asset to her customers including estate and adoption attorneys, long-term care facilities, brokers and banks. Valerie is also skilled in marketing, networking, community involvement and is deeply committed to ongoing professional education and research in her notarial service. She has published in both local community magazines and the NNA magazine. She has presented workshops at the NNA conferences and is a Seminar Instructor for the NNA.
Robbie Samuels
Today, Robbie is our Virtual Event Design Consultant, but on other days, Robbie is a keynote speaker, TEDx speaker, and relationship-based business strategy coach who has been recognized as a “networking expert” by Harvard Business Review, Ascend, Forbes, Lifehacker, and Inc and is an industry expert in the field of digital event design, by assisting organizations with bringing their in-person events strategically online as a Virtual Event Design Consultant, Virtual Emcee, and Zoom Producer. He is the author of the best-selling business book Croissants vs. Bagels: Strategic, Effective, and Inclusive Networking at Conferences. Robbie is also the host of On the Schmooze podcast, which features his networking strategies and talented professionals sharing untold stories of leadership and networking.
