Shelley Hill
February 19, 2025
Kenneth Marks
February 19, 2025
President National Commercial Services
Mel John is President of National Commercial Services – Capital Title of Texas, LLC. where he directs the Commercial Team for this office and actively seeks new business opportunities.
As a title industry leader in the booming Dallas economy from 1973 till today, Mel has been involved in sales and construction transactions with the major developers of commercial properties from high-rise office buildings in Dallas and Fort Worth to multifamily and industrial properties throughout Texas and the Nation.
Born and raised in Stockton, California, Mel had easy access to the exciting world of sports and outdoor athletics. From high school football and baseball to summers surfing in Ensenada and Santa Cruz, snow skiing at Tahoe, ranching in the San Joaquin Valley with his grandfather, and even traveling to Sicily on a cattle boat, Mel’s teenage years were filled with sports and adventure.
In the mid 1960’s, Mel attained the rank of Sargent in the US Army, 101st Airborne Division, Ranger, Recondo and jump qualified with a tour to ski in the Swiss Alps in Obersalzberg, Berchtesgaden, Germany.
Returning to California with his young family, Mel attended the University of California – Los Angeles and obtained his degree in marketing and finance. The first 23 years of Mel’s title industry career began with Title Insurance & Trust in California. After multiple assignments to open new title operations in various states, Pioneer Title brought Mel to Texas where he later became Senior Vice President and Southwest Division Manager for TICOR Title.
Before joining Capital Title, Mel served as Senior Vice President for Title Partners, LLC/Chicago Title. During his 50-year career, Mel held senior management positions in Dallas including Senior Vice President of the Commercial Division for Commerce Title Company, Senior Account Manager for LandAmerica, and President of Safeco Land Title.
Mel has been an active member of industry related organizations including the Texas Land Title Association and The Real Estate Council. He has served on councils for ULI – the Urban Land Institute, and various Forums for NAIOP – National Association of Industrial and Office Parks. Mel also served for 22 years as a Board Director for the American Red Cross and chairman of Swing for Relief – the Red Cross Golf Tournament.
Mel and Donna Vaughan were married in 1982, and with their two children Patrick and Tamara, have 10 grandchildren and 2 great-grandsons. On most weekends, raising hay and cattle on their 213-acre ranch East Texas returns them to the activities of loving family life and the land in their Texas home.