Andee Hill, the former Director of Business Development at industry giant Escrow.com, has left the company to launch her own licensed international escrow service, aptly named EscrowHill.com (the service is not yet live, but those interested can submit their email address to be notified when it begins accepting transactions). 

Hill's new business will enjoy the backing of well-known domain industry entrepreneur Gregg McNair, who will serve in a non-operational mode as EscrowHill's Chairman. 

The EscrowHill.com team also includes Ryan Bogue as General Manager and Donald Hendrickson as Operations Manager. Both worked under Hill's direction at Escrow.com. As a whole the management team has over 30 years of experience in the online escrow field. 

Hill said, “During my fifteen years in this business, I have handled just about every aspect of online escrow. Regardless of my title, I have always known that understanding the client's needs and providing excellent and secure service is invaluable. I have been fortunate to work with the industry innovator from day one. I have seen what works and what doesn't. I have been even more fortunate to have created great relationships and trust with industry leaders. At EscrowHill.com I know I can do an even better job."

McNair, who also chairs domain brokerage firm Igloo.com and newly launched registry operator .CO.COM, LLC, said, “When Andee told me she was thinking about forming her own escrow business I was immediately enthusiastic. I have a reputation of connecting some of the best people in our industry and Andee is at the top both professionally and as an amazing human being."

Hill noted, "Gregg has earned a strong  reputation for honesty, integrity and for

Andee Hill
Founder & CEO, EscrowHill.com

Gregg McNair
Chairman, EscrowHill.com 

successfully making businesses work. He also has incredible enthusiasm and a heart for helping others. All are key factors in me wanting Gregg to support my endeavor at EscrowHill.com."

Screenshot from EscrowHill.com

Marco Rinaudo, Founder and CEO of Internet.bs. will also play a key role at EscrowHill.com, having been has been appointed CTO of the new firm. Rinaudo, who has been a leader in the international hosting and registrar space since 1995, said, “EscrowHill.com is formed and supported by the very best people in the industry. Our team has built the most 

sophisticated on-line internet escrow platform, fully automated and with more advanced security features than any other.” 

With 800-pound gorilla Escrow.com to contend with, competing in the escrow space would be a daunting task for anyone. However, with the solid relationships and good will Andee Hill has earned over the years, plus a recent market resurgence and the impending arrival of hundreds of new gTLDs, the new company appears to be gearing up at the right time. The domain industry pie is expected to grow considerably over the next couple of years, giving well prepared and widely respected entrepreneurs a great window of opportunity to carve out a place of their own. Though launching a new business in a highly competitive field is always a major challenge, I wouldn't bet against people like Andee and her teammates successfully climbing any hill.