This year at ALTA ONE, the American Land Title Association honored our founder and president, Wayne Stanley, with the Honorary Membership Award. This recognition is reserved for individuals whose dedication and contributions have left a lasting mark on the land title industry and on the people around them. The award was presented by Wayne’s close friend, ALTA Board Governor Lisa Steele, and accepted on Wayne’s behalf by his younger sister, Kija.

The theme of ALTA ONE this year, Bright Lights, Bold Moves, could not be more fitting when it comes to Wayne. He truly embodied both.

A Bright Light in Our Industry

Wayne’s career began in Washington, D.C., where he worked for the U.S. Senate before joining the American Land Title Association. During his time at ALTA, Wayne launched the Homeowner’s Outreach Program (HOP), which continues to help the industry connect with and educate consumers. He also discovered the importance of the industry’s work and its inability to market its value effectively, and realized he had the knowledge, skills and network to fill that gap.

When he later returned to Indiana to start Bowe Digital, named in honor of his grandparents Glen and Shirley Bowe, Wayne poured his heart into creating something approachable for businesses of all sizes. What began as a family-inspired dream quickly became an award-winning marketing agency serving the land title industry and businesses nationwide.

Along the way, Wayne was recognized as a 2023 HousingWire Marketing Leader, earned the Exemplary Leadership Award from October Research and was named a HousingWire Rising Star in both 2024 and 2025. Under his leadership, Bowe Digital was also named one of Indiana’s Best Places to Work multiple years in a row. He didn’t stop there. He co-founded Title Success – Powered by Bowe Digital, helping real estate title companies navigate mergers and acquisitions, and he owned Railroad Marketing, a full-service firm serving real estate professionals. These honors and accomplishments reflect what we already knew: Wayne was a bright light, illuminating paths forward for every colleague and friend lucky enough to work alongside him. His fingerprints are all over this industry, and he left every space better than he found it.

Bold Moves That Changed Us

Wayne was never afraid to do things differently. His boldest move was starting Bowe Digital itself—a leap of faith that turned into a thriving company built on trust, creativity and community.

But Wayne’s vision went beyond business growth. He challenged norms in ways that changed lives, like introducing a four-day work week at Bowe Digital long before it became a national conversation. For Wayne, it wasn’t just about efficiency; it was about creating space for his team to live fully, recharge and show up as their best selves. That decision, like so many others, reflected his belief that people always come first.

Wayne also had a rare gift for making people feel seen. He built a company culture centered on mentorship, encouragement and inspiration. He wasn’t just a leader, he was a friend, a coach and a cheerleader for every person on our team.

To us, no one shines brighter than Wayne, and that was clear in the many tributes shared at the time of his passing. Here are just a few from our leadership team:

“…Wayne wasn’t just my boss. He was my mentor, my best friend, my family… He took a chance on me when I needed it most, and in so many ways, he saved me. Wayne loved big, and I loved him right back. I’ll miss his voice, his wisdom, his laugh, his presence. I grieve not just the leader he was, but the friendship we had—the kind you only get once in a lifetime.” — CEO, Heather Lunsford.

“If you were Wayne Stanley’s friend, you were his family… Wayne was not only the kind of leader I want to follow, but the kind of leader I want to emulate. Leading is hard, and leading while on the rise to success is even harder. Yet Wayne never set aside his patience, generosity, or ability to see the best in his people…” — Senior Account Lead, Alyssa Cazee.

“…So many have already said it, but it’s true. He was more than a boss. He was a mentor, a guide and dear friend… and just the single most generous and kind human being I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing.” — Senior Content Director, Joe Pittman.

Carrying His Legacy Forward

Losing Wayne earlier this year changed our world. But as we reflect on his life, his accomplishments and his vision, we find strength in his example. His legacy is alive in every relationship he built, every story he told and every bit of confidence he instilled in others.

At Bowe Digital, we are committed to carrying that legacy forward. We will continue to serve our customers and community with the same energy, creativity and heart that Wayne brought to everything he touched. His bold moves remind us to keep pushing boundaries. His bright light reminds us to lead with authenticity and care.

Thank you for being part of this journey with us. If you’d like to read more about Wayne’s story and the foundation he built, we invite you to visit our tribute page or bowe.btldem.com/ to learn more about working with us.

—The Bowe Digital Team