HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 2026 NNA CONFERENCE

---

My name is Vanessa S. Brown, Owner, VSB Notary Pro Services (San Antonio, TX). I first met Elaine Wright Harris in 2004. At the time, I was serving in the United States Air Force as a newly assigned Paralegal Law Office Manager at the legal office on Joint Base Andrews in Camp Springs, Maryland, within Prince George’s County. My role involved overseeing legal assistance services for military members and their families.

Because of my position, I was granted the general powers of a notary public under 10 U.S.C. § 1044a. The truth is, I had absolutely no idea what a notary public actually did. The junior paralegals in the office showed me the basics of notarizing documents, but I had very little understanding of notarial law, proper procedures, or professional standards.

As the senior enlisted paralegal in the office, I knew I had to become proficient quickly. I wanted to understand the responsibilities that came with the role rather than simply going through the motions. That desire led me to seek professional training, and I eventually discovered that notary public classes were offered at Prince George's Community College (PGCC) in Largo, Maryland. I immediately enrolled in the class. That decision changed the course of my professional life.

The Course That Changed Everything
I enrolled in a basic notary course taught by Elaine Wright and Fred Harris. What I expected to be a simple educational class became the foundation for my professional notary career today. Elaine, alongside her husband, Fred Harris, and colleague, Wanda Moore, taught not only the fundamentals of notarization but also a wide variety of notary courses focused on professionalism, business development, and earning a sustainable income.

During one of the courses, Elaine shared her personal story about becoming a Notary Signing Agent, also known as a Title Insurance Producer Independent Contractor (TIPIC). At the time, I was preparing to retire from the military and knew I did not necessarily want to transition into another traditional full-time career. Her story immediately captured my attention. Not long afterward, Elaine announced a class focused on navigating loan packages. I signed up immediately, and from that moment, I was sold on the Notary Signing Agent profession.

Because Maryland requires Notary Signing Agents to also become licensed Title Insurance Producers, Elaine later offered a pre-licensing training course to help students prepare for the exam. Thanks to her teaching, I passed my prelicensing exam on the very first attempt.

Retirement From the U.S. Air Force
After retiring from the U.S. Air Force in August 2004, I transitioned to working as a full-time Notary Signing Agent until accepting a full-time law office manager position in Washington, DC, in August 2005. Even then, I continued working part-time in the profession while remaining active in local notary events and professional gatherings throughout the area.

The Notary Signing Agent profession proved to be a natural fit for me. However, just as I was becoming established as a Maryland Notary Public, life presented another transition. I relocated to San Antonio, Texas, in July 2006, where I still reside today as a full-time Notary Signing Agent business owner.

The Power of Mentorship
Over the past 22 years, life has caused me to step in and out of the profession at different times. Yet, throughout those years, I watched Elaine, Fred, and Wanda become respected leaders and successful entrepreneurs within the notary industry.

I still remember the pride I felt when Elaine was honored by the National Notary Association as the 2005 NNA Special Honoree, accompanied by the tagline “So Much Accomplished in So Little Time.” It perfectly captured how quickly she had made a meaningful impact on the profession. Just a few years later, her 2009 recognition as NNA Notary of the Year — “Commitment to Elevating the Notary Office Through Professionalism and Education” — reflected the deeper truth of her leadership: her influence had grown from impressive early achievements to a sustained dedication to raising standards and educating others. Watching someone who had trained and mentored me receive awards with such powerful themes strengthened my confidence. It reminded me that I was learning from true professionals whose excellence wasn’t just recognized, but celebrated as transformative within our field.

Looking back, I realize how valuable their mentorship truly was. Their guidance gave me confidence at a time when everything felt new. Yes, there was still a learning curve—mistakes, uncertainty, and more than a few trial by fire moments. But because of the strong foundation they laid, fear never had the power to overshadow my progress.

Today, I still consider myself successful — not because my path was perfect, but because I achieved the goals that mattered most to me.

A Full-Circle Moment
For years, I wondered whether I would ever have the opportunity to reunite with Elaine, Fred, and Wanda in person and properly thank them for the impact they had on my life and career. That opportunity finally came at the 2026 NNA Conference — ironically, the first NNA conference I had ever attended.

When I saw that Elaine would be teaching a course titled “Mastering Notary Certificates in a Modern Era,” I knew immediately that I had to attend. I remember thinking how nostalgic the experience would feel.

I was not disappointed. Even after all these years, Elaine’s class renewed my excitement and confidence as a professional Notary Signing Agent. It reminded me that true professionals never stop learning, growing, or refining their craft.

One quote perfectly captures what this experience has meant to me: “Show me a successful individual, and I’ll show you someone who had real positive influences in his or her life. I don’t care what you do for a living — if you do it well, I’m sure there was someone cheering you on or showing the way. A mentor.” — Denzel Washington

Elaine, Fred, and Wanda, after all these years, I finally get to say from the bottom of my heart:
Thank you.
Vanessa S. Brown