Humble Beginnings
Setco Services, formerly Southern Escrow and Title Company, was established in 1999 as a full-service title and escrow company. It was not just a business venture but a family’s commitment to providing commercial and residential closing services to individuals, lenders, and developers. Catherine and George Brannon, the founders, relocated from Memphis, Tennessee, to the Gulf of Mexico to kickstart their family-owned and operated business. Their roots were firmly planted in the industry, as George Brannon had owned a law firm in Memphis that offered similar services for over twenty years. When the opportunity arose along Florida’s Emerald Coast, the possibilities were endless. The Brannons opened their first office in Miramar Beach, Florida, marking their grand debut in the area.
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Their son, George Brannon Jr., attended the University of Mississippi while majoring in political science and criminal justice with a minor in accounting and business. With big dreams of attending law school following his undergraduate studies, George Brannon Jr. shifted gears and moved to the beach after graduation to help aid his family’s business. During his time in Oxford, George Brannon Jr. opened his own title company to better serve the city of Oxford.
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Following George Brannon Jr.’s addition to the Southern Escrow and Title Company’s team, the business saw a need for growth. In 2002, Setco opened its second office along Florida’s Scenic County Highway 30-A in Grayton Beach, Florida, managed and run by George Jr. himself.
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Shortly after George Jr.’s time with the company, he transitioned and began aiding with company operations and growing the company and its new office locations. Southern Escrow and Title Company opened its third office in Bay County, Florida, in 2004, followed by expansion into Fort Walton Beach and Freeport.
In 2008, when the economy crashed, Setco Services faced a challenging time. However, the company did not succumb to fear and hesitation. Instead, it altered its mindset and rebranded itself from Southern Escrow and Title Company to Setco Services. The company remained loyal to each team member and never laid off an employee. With strength, courage, and perseverance, Setco Services weathered the storm and emerged stronger, standing strong amongst the battlegrounds.
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In 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill hit the Gulf of Mexico, posing a significant challenge for Setco Services. However, the leadership team, particularly George Jr., rose to the occasion. George Jr. fully immersed himself in the operations of the company, displaying determination and diligence. His efforts were recognized, and in 2015, Catherine and George Brannon passed the torch onto Stephanie and George Brannon Jr. to take over the company.
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Fast-forward to the present day. The company has expanded from its initial office in Miramar Beach with five employees to eleven offices and forty employees strategically located along Florida’s Emerald Coast. These offices are purposefully positioned in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, and Gulf counties in Northwest Florida as service centers to provide quality service and rapid response to our clients. This effort induces prospective developers and real estate agents to form productive relationships with our closing teams.