Ernst Publishing Co., a provider of technology and closing-cost data for the real estate and home finance industries, announced July 28 that Chris Dufault, an industry veteran with more than 25 years of experience, will join the company as director of product management. In his new role, Dufault will lead a team that will direct the company’s future product development as well as the enhancement of the company’s offerings.
“Chris is an excellent choice for this position because he knows the industry, the companies operating here and their needs,” said Gregory Teal, president and chief executive officer of Ernst Publishing. “Ernst has proven itself to be a very innovative company. Our products meet the current needs of our client base, which is extensive. Chris will help Ernst ensure that our clients’ future needs are also met.”
Dufault brings 25 years of experience in the public-record information industry to Ernst Publishing. His career has put him in charge of software and product development for technologies ranging from the early modems to today’s latest tools, including mobile offerings. He has successfully led product teams at Experian, Choicepoint and Prentice Hall. In addition, Dufault has formed several companies around big data, predictive analytics and consumer products. He has filed a number of patent applications and brings cost-effective best practices for internal, vendor and client-side product development.
“Ernst Publishing has earned a great reputation in the industry for being a consistent innovator,” Dufault said. “I’m very excited to be part of a company that understands that technological solutions are, by their very nature, always changing to meet the new needs of the industry. I’m looking forward to working with this team and continuing to build on the company’s legacy.”
Over the past five years, Ernst Publishing has doubled in size, increasing the number of people it employs in every department. In 2012, the company earned its first U.S. patent for technologies it developed. By 2014, Ernst had processed its one billionth transaction, supporting nearly every facet of the lending process for clients across the industry.