Member Highlight – Abstractor: Kelly Fournier
Kelly Fournier, Pelican Abstracting’s New Chapter in the Title Indust
For many professionals, a new business venture represents an opportunity to build upon years of experience and established expertise. For the owner of Pelican Abstracting, Kelly Fournier, the decision to enter the abstracting profession represents something more: the beginning of a new chapter shaped by perseverance, professional experience, family, and a commitment to continued personal and professional growth.
Originally from Metairie, Louisiana, she and her family relocated to Kiln, Mississippi, 11 years ago with the goal of starting a farm and establishing roots in a new community. Over the years, Kiln has become much more than a place to live—it has become home.
Her professional background includes experience in both the real estate and legal industries. She has worked as a licensed Realtor, a paralegal specializing in tax confirmations and estates, and a closing processor. Although she began her college education, she was unable to complete her degree after being placed on bed rest during her fourth pregnancy. She hopes to return to law school in the coming years, once her daughter completes her education at Delgado.
Her path into abstracting began following the unexpected passing of her mentor and former employer, Eugene J. Hoffman IV. She had often shared with him her interest in title work and joked that she would someday become an abstractor. Following his passing, she decided to leave the office and pursue a new direction.
On June 1, 2026, she established Pelican Abstracting.
Although she entered the field without formal abstracting training, she brought with her valuable experience from her years as a closing processor and her work handling tax confirmations. Within her first two months, she began completing residential 32-year title searches, primarily in Hancock and George Counties.
She has quickly discovered that abstracting offers both professional independence and an opportunity to continually learn. One of the aspects she finds most rewarding is researching the history of a property and understanding the story revealed through the records. She also appreciates the flexibility of working from home while building a business of her own.
Her approach to establishing a new business is grounded in patience and a willingness to learn. One of the most important lessons she has learned is the value of taking the time to build a strong foundation: “Don’t move too fast. You must walk before you run.”
Her background in the closing process also provides her with a unique perspective when completing abstracting work. Having worked closely with attorneys and others involved in real estate transactions, she understands the importance of identifying the information and details they need when reviewing title work. She credits Stephanie Lipe Wood as an important influence in her professional development and considers herself fortunate to have learned from the best.
This combination of experience allows her to approach abstracting from both the abstractor’s and closing processor’s perspectives—an advantage she believes brings added value to her work.
As technology continues to evolve throughout the real estate and title industries, she is also confident that the expertise of a knowledgeable abstractor will remain essential. While artificial intelligence may assist with certain aspects of the process, she believes that technology cannot replace the experience and understanding required to properly interpret the records and follow a chain of title.
“You must understand the work,” she explains. “It’s not just pulling deeds.”
Her attention to detail and commitment to protecting clients have already played an important role in her professional career. One accomplishment she is particularly proud of occurred only three months into her career as a closing processor. While working with Commonwealth, she identified that a seller was not who he claimed to be, preventing the buyers from potentially losing $30,000 in a property transaction. Her efforts were recognized when she was honored as a “Fraud Buster,” an experience that reinforced the importance of diligence and careful examination in real estate transactions.
Today, Pelican Abstracting is a small, woman-owned business providing abstracting services as well as additional legal support services, including for-hire paralegal services and process serving. As the company grows, she hopes to become increasingly involved in the Kiln community and contribute through community service and efforts that support others.
Her commitment to family is an equally important part of her story. She and her husband have been together for 28 years and are the parents of four children: Sloane, 27, who has Trisomy 18 (Edwards Syndrome); Talon, 23, who is autistic; Brina, 22; and Story, 18.
The family lives on a five-acre farm that is also home to five potbellied pigs—Jimmy Dean, Louie, Frannie Mae, Fiona, and Fern—as well as a rooster, four cats, and two dogs. The family also rescues pigs that can no longer remain with their owners, adding another meaningful dimension to their lives at the farm.
Raising a family, including two children with special needs, has brought its share of challenges and shaped her perspective on life. She and her husband have also embraced a new chapter together, celebrating two and a half years of sobriety and making the decision to focus their lives on their family, their goals, and the future they want to build.
Some of her most memorable experiences have come unexpectedly. When a parent she had met online offered to donate a handicapped-accessible van for her daughter, there was one significant obstacle—the van was located in Colorado. Without hesitation, she and three friends flew to Colorado and drove the van back to Kiln in a four-day road trip while her husband remained home with the children.
The journey became an unforgettable adventure and a reminder that some of life’s most meaningful experiences can come from unexpected opportunities.
Outside of work, she and her family enjoy music, concerts, and festivals, as well as spending time near the water. Whether at the beach, river, Gulf, lake, or pool, they are always ready to enjoy time outdoors. She and her husband also participate on a competition cooking team that helps raise funds for organizations and causes throughout Hancock County.
With a diverse professional background and a wide range of life experiences, she approaches her new career with enthusiasm, determination, and a desire to continue learning. She describes herself as someone who is always looking ahead and striving to improve.
“I want to be better and do better,” she says. “I want to be a great example for my children and those around me. I want my husband to be proud of me.”
As Pelican Abstracting begins its journey, her story serves as a reminder that professional growth does not always follow a straight path. Sometimes, the experience gained along the way—through career changes, family responsibilities, unexpected challenges, and the guidance of mentors—provides the foundation for an entirely new opportunity.
With her background in real estate and legal services, her experience in the closing process, and her enthusiasm for learning the art and responsibility of abstracting, she is embracing this new chapter with confidence and purpose. For Pelican Abstracting, the future is just beginning.