North Star Title

About Us

Our Story

At North Star Title, we believe in building something greater than just a title agency—we are creating a culture of excellence, accountability, and service. Our team is made up of industry experts who understand that success is built on trust, efficiency, and doing the right thing, always.

Our Values

  • Be good and faithful partners with our team members, clients and insureds.
  • Do the right thing – always.
  • Emphasize fairness in all of our interactions.
    Innovate with a focus on efficiency and service.
  • Be and create inspirational leaders. Manage things, lead people.
  • Practice accountability and radical candor (personal care and direct challenge).
  • Create a fun and exciting work environment promoting a strong work ethic and a desire to contribute to everyone’s success.
  • Policy of inclusion. You and your ideas matter.

Our Vision

Build an exceptional company with outstanding people and culture. Deliver unparalleled service. Give back to our community.

Our Mission

We are the “4 Seasons” of title agencies. Our team works together to execute our vision thoughtfully and at a high level.

Dave Rickenbach

With decades of experience in the title industry, Dave has had the privilege of learning the business from the ground up. He has held nearly every role – from taking lunch orders and working in the file room to typist, examiner, processor, manager, and now CEO. This diverse experience has given him a unique perspective and a significant advantage in solving complex issues, whether they arise during a real estate transaction or in running a company.​
 
Over the course of his career, Dave has overseen operations for more than 200,000 real estate closings. That breadth of experience has allowed him to encounter and resolve nearly every type of challenge the industry can present. He is proud to say that these experiences have not only sharpened his problem-solving skills but also shaped his approach to leadership and decision-making. Raised with the belief that every decision should be guided by two simple yet powerful questions: “What’s the right thing to do?” and “What’s fair to everyone involved?”, Dave embodies these principles in his professional life.​
 
One of his proudest professional moments was working alongside his father as he built the largest title agency in New Jersey – a foundation of knowledge and values Dave carries with him today. Now, he is excited to take everything he has learned and build something even greater, alongside a passionate and talented team.​
 
Outside of work, Dave serves as Treasurer for the New Jersey Land Title Association, aiming to give back to an industry that has given so much to him. Personally, he loves spending time with his family, especially his son Eddie, who never fails to brighten his day. A competitive person by nature, Dave has a love for sports, except maybe golf, as it can prove to be incredibly frustrating!​
 
His goal is to grow a company that not only succeeds but also helps and helps improve the lives of all involved. In short, Dave strives to do what he loves, with people he loves, while making a meaningful difference.

Scott Jakubowski, Principal, President, North Star Title Agency LLC

Scott Jakubowski is the Principal and President of North Star Title, bringing over 35 years of experience in sales and relationship building, with more than two decades in sales management, ownership, and leadership. Throughout his career, he has been dedicated to driving growth, fostering strong partnerships, and finding creative solutions to complex challenges.

Scott takes pride in working closely with clients and teams to deliver results that not only meet but exceed expectations. Passionate about collaboration, he believes that integrity and innovation are the foundation of any successful endeavor. He finds great fulfillment in helping others succeed and witnessing those around him reach their full potential.

Outside of work, Scott enjoys spending time on the golf course, exploring new interests, and cherishing moments with his wife, Kelly, and their three sons—Lukas, Max, and Chase. Their two dogs, Madison and Frankie, also keep the family on their toes.

Driven by a love for his work and a commitment to making a difference, Scott remains dedicated to his clients, his team, and the people he has the privilege of working with.

Peter Casey Wall, CTP
Chief Operations Officer, North Star Title Agency LLC

Casey is the Chief Operations Officer at North Star Title Agency LLC, bringing over 22 years of experience in the title insurance industry and more than 30 years of management expertise. As a Certified Title Professional (CTP), Casey has a proven track record of excellence in both residential and commercial title insurance examining.

Casey’s career is distinguished by his leadership roles, including serving as Past President of the New Jersey Land Title Association (NJLTA) and Past Agency Section Chair of the NJLTA. He is also a member of the Title Insurance Liaison Committee to the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance and hosts the Past Presidents Podcast of the NJLTA. Additionally, Peter is a Trustee and Instructor for the New Jersey Land Title Institute.

With extensive experience in building and managing title production departments, Casey is well-versed in IT, cybersecurity, and related issues. His skills and dedication have made significant contributions to the industry.

Outside of his professional life, Casey enjoys spending time with his family and walking his two dogs. He is passionate about cooking, reading, movies, and music. Peter believes that everyone can achieve greatness if they believe in themselves, and he strives to be that supportive person for as many people as possible.
Feel free to connect with Peter via email at casey@northstartitle.com or call him at 732-887-5567.

Dan Merlino, Principal, President, North Star Title Agency LLC

Dan is a Principal and President of North Star Title Agency. He has spent well over two decades immersed in the world of title insurance — helping buyers, sellers, realtors, attorneys and lenders navigate the complexities of real estate transactions with confidence. What started as a job quickly became a passion.

Over the years, Dan has built long-term lasting relationships in the industry — becoming a trusted resource for clients, title salespeople, industry partners and colleagues alike. He has successfully led and managed sales teams, with a commitment to supporting and empowering his teams to reach their full potential. He strongly believes that fostering partnerships, inspiring collaboration and innovation and delivering exceptional service are the keys to long-term success in the title industry.

With all his years of experience and a drive to keep pushing forward, Dan remains passionate about helping people open new doors—both literally and figuratively. Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about closing deals—it’s about opening possibilities.

When Dan isn’t navigating the world of title insurance, you can find him spending time with his family, weekends with his sons on the travel baseball circuit, walking his dog, traveling and passionately trying to play the game of golf.

Stuart Bell - Senior Examiner

Stuart Bell brings over 17 years of title industry experience to his Senior Examiner role at North Star Title. Abstracting and curative, Stuart has developed strong relationships with all major underwriters over the years in helping solve clients issues and get deals closed.