About Us

FTE Commercial is a division of Foundation Title & Escrow Series, LLC – an innovator in the title and escrow industry throughout the southeastern United States.

Our Story:

In the midst of the Great Recession in 2008, Foundation Title was born with a simple mission: to disrupt the title industry by continually challenging conventional thinking, by enhancing the consumer experience, and by providing a superior work product. Today, that “disruptive” mindset and commitment to quality has led to an established and successful title company with over 28 locations in Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Virginia, and Ohio. Visit our parent company here: www.fteconnect.com

In 2018, Foundation Title’s leaders recognized the opportunity and need to connect its growing presence in the residential title industry with the exploding commercial market in middle Tennessee. Foundation Title knew that a Commercial Division, by its very nature, would require an experienced commercial attorney, sophisticated software, and forward-thinking team members dedicated to the business of business. Thus, FTE Commercial was born.

Founder Chris Cantrell reflects upon the necessity of FTE Commercial this way: “Most title agencies focus their energy on residential closings, allowing only for the occasional commercial deal. This leaves clients under-served at best and misrepresented at worst. Rather than accepting this, Foundation Title has made a demonstrative commitment to personnel and resources. By creating a dedicated commercial department, we provide the consumer choice, economy, and expertise.”

Our Team

Randy Hardison

Director

randy@fteconnect.com

O: 615-269-7715 x2002
D: 615-326-5904

Randy Hardison is the Director of the Commercial Services Division and brings over 37 years of commercial transactional experience. Graduating with BA from the University of North Alabama, Randy went on to graduate with a JD from the University of Tennessee and did post-graduate work in business and tax law at Emory University. Randy is a certified instructor for the Tennessee Real Estate Commission, Tennessee Auctioneer Commission, Tennessee Commission of Land Surveyors, and Tennessee Appraiser Commission. He owned and operated his own title company and law firm, including a 1031 company, for over 42 years before forming FTE Commercial in 2018.

Along with his wife, Rhonda (who is a senior escrow officer in the Builder Division at FTE), Randy has 5 children and 6 grandchildren and now spends most weekends on the golf course.

Casey Keller

Commercial Attorney

ckeller@fteconnect.com

O: 615-269-7715 x 2030
 

Casey’s career in the title industry began over twenty years ago as a title searcher for a boutique real estate firm in Lexington, Kentucky. Since then, as a licensed attorney in both Kentucky and Tennessee, she has assisted clients in the construction, finance and energy sectors with complex financial transactions, including real estate acquisitions, asset-based lending, mineral rights, and commercial loans. Prior to joining FTE Commercial Casey was a commercial underwriter for a national title insurance company. Originally from western Kentucky, Casey graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 2007 and practiced in Lexington for over 10 years before moving to Franklin. Along with her husband, she spends most of her weekends at the ball field chasing around her two sons.

Tricia Cavitt

Senior Commercial / Escrow Officer

tcavitt@fteconnect.com

O: 615-269-7715 x 2003
D: 615-378-5181

Tricia Cavitt has been toiling in the salt mines that are the real estate profession since 1991. Over the past 32 years, she has worked as a residential escrow officer, as a programmer of real estate software, as a loan processor, and as a contractor with HUD. She was considering retiring and becoming a stay-at-home dog mom when she was given the opportunity to work with Randy Hardison in commercial real estate at Foundation Title & Escrow Series, LLC. It was something new and different, so she jumped at the chance and has never looked back!

The few hours in the day that she is not at the office working, she reads, plays video games, goes to estate sales with her husband, Terry and vegs on the couch with her three dogs.

Cecilia Kendall

Commercial Title Officer

ckendall@fteconnect.com

O: 615-269-7715 x 2010
D: 615-379-8097

Cecilia Kendall is a Commercial Title Officer and began her career over 25 years ago while working as an intern for Legal Aid Society. She has a paralegal degree from Roane State Community College. Her first title searching position was with a law firm who has been in practice for over 70 years. While there, she held the title for most awards given to a searcher, labeled as the “Golden Football Award”. She has worked in multiple capacities for commercial banking attorneys, doing foreclosures, workouts, post foreclosure deficiency litigation, and her favorite, searching titles. Prior to joining FTE Commercial she was a senior escrow officer for a boutique law firm in West Nashville. When the opportunity arose for her to go back to her passion, she took it and joined Foundation Title & Escrow. In her free time, you’ll find her with her family, at Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitions, or in one of her gardens.

Nichole Dowling

Commercial Escrow Assistant

ndowling@fteconnect.com

O: 615-269-7715 x 1006
 

Nichole Dowling holds the position of Commercial Escrow Officer with FTE Commercial, with eight years of experience in the title industry. Nichole previously specialized as a Short Sale Negotiator, then transitioned into a Residential Escrow Officer role, and then jumped at the chance to learn the commercial side of the title industry. Prior to working in the title industry, Nichole was an office administrator/manager of a real estate office, property management assistant, realtor assistant, and director of first impressions. Originally from Sackets Harbor, NY she obtained her A.A.S. Degree from Jefferson Community College in Watertown, NY. In 1998 she decided to move to Colorado Springs, CO where she lived for 22 years before moving to Lebanon, Tennessee in 2020.

Notable Transactions

Port Royal Commercial Park – A mixed-used development project in Spring Hill, Tennessee, spanning over 18 acres with housing, retail, office and restaurant space. “This is not just a win for Spring Hill, but also for greater Middle Tennessee,” Pentagon Holdings CEO Blake Seeberger said. “Spring Hill has been growing at an unprecedented rate, and this project provides the infrastructure necessary for residents to come together to live, work, and play in their own community.”

Willow Run Apartments – 177-unit luxury apartments in Abingdon, Virginia, just a stone’s throw from Emory & Henry College. Acquired by the Valcap Group, owner Richard Fishman says “We are optimistic about the long term prospects in multifamily housing in northeast Tennessee and southwest Virginia!”

Shiloh Falls Utilities – FTE Commercial assisted with the acquisition of the wastewater system servicing the Shiloh Falls, Pickwick, and Cottage Grove communities in Counce, Tennessee, on the waters of the Tennessee River.

Cypress Lakes RV Park – a 45+ acre campground including pull-through sites for RV’s, a swimming pool, fishing, game room, and bathhouses located near Kentucky Lake in Calvert City, Kentucky.

Our Clients Say It Best

Barbara Canady

Barbara Canady

Community President, First Citizens National Bank

I have worked with Randy Hardison, Rhonda Hardison and Trish Cavitt on several commercial real estate closings through Foundation Title and Escrow. I would absolutely recommend them! They are timely, efficient and accurate. And they handle every transaction with courtesy, kindness and helpfulness.
Casey Cavanah

Casey Cavanah

Commercial Lender, First Citizens National Bank

The Commercial Division at Foundation Title has done a phenomenal job and Randy has gone above and beyond to help us with our clients.
Alec Bahmed

Alec Bahmed

Commercial Broker, KW Commercial Nashville

Randy, Trish, and the rest of the Commercial Division here at Foundation Title are some of the best in the country. I have had the privilege to work with dozens of title companies and none of them even come close. Over the years we've had some very unique and challenging transactions that the team at Foundation never batted an eye at. Their communication and attention to detail are simply unmatched. I would never consider another company's services as long as I am in business.
Michael Sims

Michael Sims

Director, KW Commercial Nashville

Foundation Title Commercial Division has handled several transactions for myself and my clients. Their staff is knowledgeable and experienced which makes a big difference with commercial property transactions. Northing is too complicated for their team of professionals. Randy Hardison has handled several commercial transactions for myself and my team of commercial brokers. His legal knowledge and experience of title issues is invaluable. Complemented by their support staff, each closing has been smooth and uneventful!
Andy Pfeifer

Andy Pfeifer

Tennessee President, Smith Douglas Homes

Over the span of fourteen years, I have worked for some of the largest national and regional builders within the middle Tennessee area; the common denominator I enjoyed in each role was the dedicated and constructive counsel of Chris Cantrell, Randy Hardison and the commercial services team. Foundation Title has consistently provided superior professional service and advice for developers, including resolving tough survey matters and curing outside of the box title issues; but more than that, they have fostered an atmosphere that really puts people first. I am so appreciative of our work relationship.
Westley James

Westley James

SVP Commercial Lending, Wilson Bank & Trust

It is a pleasure to work with your staff and you at FTE Commercial. The level of professionalism and expertise is truly appreciated. My customers also appreciate the convenience of closing with you as you have so many locations that they never have to travel too far.
Mike Zakrewski

Mike Zakrewski

VP Land Acquisitions, Richmond American Homes

I have use Foundation Title for quite some time and I have used Randy Hardison and his team since the creation of the commercial services division for all of our land/lot acquisitions and development. I have the utmost faith in them. They always go that one extra step.
Jimmy D. Dugger

Jimmy D. Dugger

Broker, Vice-President, Crye-Leike Realtors

Randy Hardison and his veteran team of title professionals in the Commercial Services Division provide an exemplary level of service this real estate profession, at this moment in time, demands. Honesty, respect, the ability to listen to issues, and bring solutions to the table is critical to my business success. They use their years of experience to produce results no matter what. And they know how to handle the closing table with finesse, clarity, and respect for all parties. They always consider the closing at the table at that minute is the most important closing of the day for all the people at the table. I love this team of dedicated professionals!
Alberto Forero

Alberto Forero

Principal, Shaar Forero Properties

We were referred to Foundation Title from a friend a few years ago and have been working with them ever since. Randy and Trish are part of an amazing team and have been an absolute pleasure to work with. As a commercial real estate investor, I am glad to have Foundation Title on my team since every transaction is a breeze and a stress free experience. They have always gone above expectations and for that I would forever be grateful.
Jim Hysen

Jim Hysen

President, LandVenues

Foundation Commercial division has gone over and beyond the call of duty for myself and my firm. Closing dates have never been missed and the level of professionalism is unmatched and I’ve worked with many title companies over the years. I am loyal to the end with Foundation Commercial and appreciate all they have done for us.
Josh Silvis

Josh Silvis

CEO, VIKING Developments

Randy, Trish, and the whole team at Foundation Commercial are the best in the business. Whatever issues come up in a transaction you can always count on them to be one step ahead and to get you closed on time. I highly recommend using them for all of your commercial title needs.
Keith Bolton

Keith Bolton

CEO, The Bolton Capital Group

I have known Randy Hardison and his commercial staff for quite some time. Together we have done dozens of transactions, in residential lots, residential home sales, commercial lots, commercial loans, the sale of commercial properties, commercial acquisitions, raw land, etc. I have never had an issue with a closing and I have a lot of trust and faith in the organization to do things right, do them on time, and without snafus. But more than just a transaction house, Randy and his team are my go-to people for advice on any sort of real estate related matters. In the past couple of years, I have relied on his advice and guidance on things like boundary disputes, railroad easements, and zoning problems. They are my one stop shop, and their advice is invaluable.
Blake Seeberger

Blake Seeberger

CEO, Pentagon-Reid

Foundation Title and specifically Randy Hardison, Trish Cavitt and Casey Keller exemplify the level of professionalism, courtesy and efficiency one would expect from a commercial Title Agency. The value derived goes well beyond the financial equivalency to other Agencies, especially when evaluating the soft skills of patience, expediency and accuracy. I would recommend them to anyone looking for Title assistance when dealing in Commercial Real Estate transactions.