As VP of Compliance for Solutions for Account Management, Tonia is responsible for the continued development and maintenance of SAM’s compliance management system and vendor oversight program. Prior to joining Solutions for Account Management, Tonia was a Compliance Consultant for ARM Compliance Business Solutions and worked as the Executive Vice President at Automated Collection Services, Inc. Tonia is also holds certification as a Certified Receivables Compliance Professional (CRCP) and currently serves on the RMAI DEI Committee & 50-State Legislative Committee.

Rozanne Andersen, J.D., serves as Finvi’s Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer. She is responsible for leading Finvi’s corporate efforts and response to the CFPB’s launch of compliance examinations in the ARM industry. Rozanne’s advocacy work on behalf of the credit and collection industry has resulted in landmark legislation and regulation at both the state level and the federal level with regard to the FDCPA, FCRA and HIPAA. In 2020, Rozanne was named Chief Compliance Officer of the Year (Large Company) by the international Women in Compliance Network.

A passionate thought leader in the accounts receivables management industry, Sara is a highly sought-after compliance leader with a background in operational processes.

As the Owner and President of ARM Compliance Business Solutions, Sara Woggerman works with organizations to drive compliant business practices through her consulting solutions. Sara’s personalized approach prepares financial institutions for regulatory examinations, manage litigation risk, and improves the consumer experience. Sara is known for her passion in helping companies overcome their unique compliance and operational challenges through delivery of compliance risk assessments, policy development, service provider management and oversight, and executive level training programs designed to help financial services companies mitigate risk and maximize efficiency.

Prior to starting ARM Compliance Business Solutions, Sara led the Compliance Services Department at Ontario Systems, LLC.

Alan Hochheiser is a leading practitioner in the areas of creditors’ rights and bankruptcy law. He advises and represents businesses, regional and national banks, credit unions, equipment lessors and other lenders, as well as secured and unsecured creditors.  Among his accomplishments, he has successfully resolved non-dischargeable claims based upon fraud conversion and breach of fiduciary issues and has successfully handled the assumption of leases in the bankruptcy of a major airline. Al has been named to ALM’s list of Cleveland’s Top-Rated Lawyers and is peer-rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, the worldwide guide to lawyers.

Rebekah Luebcke is Vice President of Operations for Crown Asset Management, LLC. In her role, she oversees the team of Relationship Managers who support both the Litigation and Agency networks that service Crown’s consumer credit portfolios, empowering performance through data and systems education and navigation of portfolio nuances. Her team serves as a liaison between and an advocate for the servicers and the various departments within the organization. Before her work with Crown, Rebekah spent nearly 15 years gaining experience in the collections, payments processing, and revenue cycle management industries.

Mellisa (“Missy”) Massey, CRCP, is the Director of Business Development for National Credit Adjusters, LLC.  Missy has over 20 years of experience as a credit and risk professional in collections leadership and service provider network management from the credit issuer, 3^rd party forwarder and debt buyer perspectives.  Prior to joining NCA, Missy specialized in managing large-scale recovery operations – specifically law firm servicing and litigation strategies for Jaffe & Asher LLP, Portfolio Recovery Associates and Target Corporation.

Don Maurice is a partner at Maurice Wutscher LLP representing the financial services industry in compliance matters, bench trials, jury trials and appeals of individual and class actions. He is admitted to the Bars of Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia and has practiced law since 1988. Don has been inducted into the American College of Consumer Financial Services Lawyers. Don serves as outside counsel to RMAI. He is a fellow at the American Bar Foundation and chairs the Consumer Affairs Committee of the New York City Bar Association. He formerly chaired the Debt Collection Practices and Bankruptcy Subcommittee of the American Bar Association. He is certified as a Leadership Professional in Ethics and Compliance by the Ethics Compliance Initiative. He is editor of the Consumer Financial Services Blog (cfsblog.com). He is a frequent speaker and author on ethics, financial services, and privacy law. His many articles on consumer financial services law have been published in law reviews and trade publications.

John H. Bedard, Jr. is the managing attorney of Bedard Law Group, P.C. located in Atlanta, Georgia.  John represents creditors, asset buyers, and debt collectors helping them stay in compliance with state and federal law.  He also manages the nationwide litigation for several collection agencies and focuses his litigation practice on FDCPA, TCPA, and FCRA defense.  John’s practice also focuses on defending regulatory actions including CFPB investigations and travels the country performing CFPB readiness assessments for the collection industry.  He received his law degree from the Syracuse University College of Law and his undergraduate degree in Economics from the Pennsylvania State University.

Tomio B. Narita is a partner in San Francisco office of Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP. His practice focuses on defending creditors, debt buyers, collection law firms, finance companies, alternative lenders and collection agencies in consumer litigation in federal and state courts throughout the country, including in class actions arising under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), and other federal and state laws governing the credit and collection process.  Tomio obtained his law degree in 1991 from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.  He is a member of the Bar of the State of California, and he is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the Second, Third, Sixth, Eighth and Ninth Circuit Courts of Appeals, the District of Colorado, the Northern District of Illinois, and all of the District Courts of California.

Anne Thomas has been with Cavalry Portfolio Services for more than 15 years and has been in the debt collection industry for nearly 20 years. As part of her role, Anne is responsible for designing, implementing, and monitoring the Compliance Management System. In addition, she serves as a member of Cavalry’s Compliance Committee and is currently the President of the RMAI Board of Directors, representing over 600 companies in the receivables management industry.

Jerry Myers received both his undergraduate and law degrees from Wake Forest University.  He is Smith Debnam’s Managing Partner. Jerry concentrates his practice in creditors’ rights, with an emphasis on debt collection, judgment enforcement, and commercial litigation. Jerry served as President of the Commercial Law League of America, a national organization of creditors’ rights professionals, and is an active member of the National Creditors Bar Association, presenting CLE programs and serving on committees. Jerry was also instrumental in forming the North Carolina Creditors’ Bar Association, a specialty bar whose members are committed to advocating for the rights of lenders and others in the credit and collections industry. He has practiced in the creditors’ rights field for more than 30 years and has written and lectured extensively on debt collection and judgment enforcement.

Manny Newburger leads the Consumer Financial Services Law Practice Group at Barron & Newburger, P.C. A frequent author and speaker on the FDCPA and other consumer protection laws, Mr. Newburger is known internationally for his expertise in consumer and commercial law, consulting on FDCPA, FCRA, and TCPA compliance across the globe and defending of individual and class consumer litigation and regulatory matters across the United States. His practice focuses on litigation, litigation management and strategy, regulatory defense, and compliance, and he serves as a settlement negotiator in complex cases. Mr. Newburger has consulted to collection industry members throughout the U.S., India, the Philippines, and Canada, and his clients include financial institutions, debt buyers, law firms, and collection agencies.

Charles G. Pona (Chuck) is Managing Partner of Weltman, Weinberg & Reis Co., L.P.A.  He practices in the area of retail collection litigation.  Chuck received his B.S. Degree (Magna Cum Laude) from Bowling Green State University in 1982 and J.D. Degree from The Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in 1986.  He is a member of the Ohio Bar and Pennsylvania Bar, and is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio and the United States Supreme Court.  Chuck is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association, Transunion Collection Advisory Board and is past President of NCBA-The National Creditors Bar Association.

Congressman Mike Lawler represents New York’s 17th Congressional District. Prior to serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, Lawler represented New York’s 97th District in the State Assembly where he served on the Committees on Aging, Banks, Education, Housing, and as the Ranking Member on Governmental Operations.

In Congress, Lawler serves on the House Financial Services Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee. He also serves on nearly 50 congressional caucuses, including as Co-Chair of the Anti-Congestion Tax Caucus, Appalachian National Scenic Trails Caucus, and the Moldova Caucus. He also serves on the bipartisan SALT Caucus and the Problem Solvers Caucus.

Ralph N. Liberio is the President & CEO for NCB Management Services, Inc. NCB Management Services, Inc. is a national full-service Accounts Receivable Management and respected Debt Buyer who has been successfully providing recovery and call center solutions to major financial institutions, commercial clients, debt buyers/sellers, and a number of businesses in a wide array of industries since 1994.  Since joining NCB in 1995 and prior to his current position as President & CEO, Ralph has held several key executive management positions where he was responsible for the development and implementation of company-wide performance management methods along with the creation of custom work standards, policies and procedures. In his current position as President & CEO, Ralph reports directly to NCB’s Board of Directors and has overall responsibility for the direction, management, and financial performance of all NCB’s Servicing and Debt Purchasing Operations as well as for all wholly owned subsidiaries of NCB Management Services, Inc.

Dan Simmons is Senior Director of Consulting – Financial Services at TransUnion. He’s responsible for providing insights on consumer credit risk management and recent trends in the lending industry. With nearly two decades experience in financial services, Simmons spent 12 years working on consulting projects in domestic and international locations (India, Israel, South Africa, United Kingdom and Vietnam) prior to joining TransUnion in Jan. 2020. In addition to his project work, his background includes directing fraud, collections, customer service and vendor management operations for credit card, retail, powersport and student loan portfolios. Simmons has an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, and holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Northern Illinois University.

Michael Cassidy is the Chief Operating Officer with Velocity Portfolio Group. Michael has spent over 20 years in executive and leadership positions within the financial services industry. Prior to joining Velocity, Michael co-founded a fintech consulting firm, Maxwell & Graves Solutions, and was responsible for building and leading Collections & Recovery at Prosper Marketplace.

Jason Esteves is a partner in the firm’s Washington, DC office, where he is a member of the Credit Reporting, Privacy, and Data Security Practice Group. He advises businesses on compliance with consumer protection, privacy and cybersecurity laws. He is experienced in developing and maintaining change management and compliance programs to ensure clients proactively comply with applicable laws and regulations. Jason also represents clients in litigation matters, government investigations and enforcement actions.

Prior to joining Hudson Cook, Jason served as a vice president of legal at Equifax Inc., where he advised the company on regulatory matters, investigations, risk mitigation, government and media relations, and cyber security. Jason also previously managed a wide variety of litigation matters for Equifax, and helped design and implement strategies that allowed the company to handle high volume litigation more efficiently.

Jason graduated from the University of Miami with a degree in Psychology, and earned his J.D. from Emory University School of Law, where he graduated with honors. Jason is licensed to practice law in Georgia.

Dan Smith recently joined the Consumer Data Industry Association (CDIA) as President and CEO. He has more than 25 years of legislative and regulatory experience at both the federal and state level.

Most recently, Dan led the Regulatory Affairs program for the Consumer Bankers Association (CBA). Before CBA, he was Senior Vice President and Executive Director of the American Bankers Association’s (ABA) Card Policy Counsel. Prior to joining ABA, Dan was the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) first Assistant Director for the Office of Financial Institutions and Business Liaison, where he built out the office and created its framework. Dan was responsible for managing the Bureau’s relationship with more than forty trade associations, senior executives and government relations professionals at all major banks and financial service companies to facilitate constructive dialogue on all consumer financial policy issues.

Before joining the CFPB, Dan spent 4 years at Freddie Mac serving as the Director of Industry and State Relations and was responsible for legislative, regulatory, and industry issues in all 50 states.

Andrew Duke serves as the Executive Director to the Online Lenders Alliance (OLA).  Andrew comes to OLA with more than 22 years of experience in government with a decade in financial services policy – most recently leading the Consumer Education and External Affairs division at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).  Prior to the Bureau, Andrew served as Chief of Staff to three different members of Congress, including House Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling.

Brian Fritzsche is Regulatory Counsel and Vice President at the Consumer Bankers Association (CBA). His expertise covers a variety of legal and regulatory consumer financial services issues, including the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s forthcoming rulemakings on Section 1033 and credit card late fees. Prior to joining CBA, Brian was an attorney in the financial services group at Morrison & Foerster LLP, where he advised banks and non-banks alike on a wide range of complex regulatory issues arising under the financial services laws.

A proven leader with over 15 years of association management experience, Jennifer Martin serves as the Executive Director of the National Automotive Finance (NAF) Association, the only forum for the exclusive benefit of the non-prime auto finance industry. Prior to joining the NAF Association, Jennifer spent a decade with the League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates and served in several roles including Chief of Staff, SVP of Strategic Initiatives, and Senior Director of Governmental Affairs.

As a governmental affairs and public policy professional, Jennifer previously advocated on behalf of the Florida Chamber of Commerce and the Florida Home Builders Association. She also served as a legislative aide for a Tallahassee law firm, a full-time staffer on a gubernatorial campaign, and worked on numerous candidate and initiative campaigns throughout the state of Florida.

Dan Smith recently joined the Consumer Data Industry Association (CDIA) as President and CEO. He has more than 25 years of legislative and regulatory experience at both the federal and state level.

Most recently, Dan led the Regulatory Affairs program for the Consumer Bankers Association (CBA). Before CBA, he was Senior Vice President and Executive Director of the American Bankers Association’s (ABA) Card Policy Counsel. Prior to joining ABA, Dan was the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) first Assistant Director for the Office of Financial Institutions and Business Liaison, where he built out the office and created its framework. Dan was responsible for managing the Bureau’s relationship with more than forty trade associations, senior executives and government relations professionals at all major banks and financial service companies to facilitate constructive dialogue on all consumer financial policy issues.

Before joining the CFPB, Dan spent 4 years at Freddie Mac serving as the Director of Industry and State Relations and was responsible for legislative, regulatory, and industry issues in all 50 states.

Brigid joined AFSA in 2022 as a Manager on the federal government affairs team. In her role, she works to support the team in fulfilling AFSA’s mission of expanding and protecting access to consumer credit with policymakers on Capitol Hill, the administration, and federal regulators. Prior to joining AFSA, Brigid worked for the Senate Finance Committee as a legislative aide for Chairman Chuck Grassley, and previously as deputy press secretary for Chairman Orrin Hatch. Brigid holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and History and a master’s degree in business administration from Benedictine College.

Terence W. Culler is the Director for Retail Credit Risk Policy at the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). In this role, Mr. Culler manages the team responsible for developing, communicating, and interpreting policies for the OCC’s supervision of retail credit lending at national banks and federal savings associations. He represents the OCC as a retail credit subject matter expert in industry and interagency forums. Mr. Culler serves as the chairperson of the OCC’s National Retail Risk Committee, which advises the National Risk Committee on retail lending risks and trends in the federal banking system. He began serving in this role in January 2022.

Before being named Director for Retail Credit Risk Policy, Mr. Culler served as the Team Lead for Retail and Commercial Credit in Large Bank Supervision at Capital One. Before that, he served in various supervision roles within Large Bank Supervision and Midsize and Community Bank Supervision. He also served as Acting Deputy Comptroller for Credit Risk Policy from July 2022 to December 2022.

Mr. Culler began his OCC career in 2005. He was commissioned as a National Bank Examiner in 2010 and attained the Federal Thrift Regulator certification in 2013. Mr. Culler is a graduate of Lincoln University of Missouri with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, concentration in finance.

John McNamara is the Principal Assistant Director of Markets and the Assistant Director for Consumer Credit, Payments, and Deposits Markets in the Research, Markets and Regulations division of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. He leads a team of subject matter experts and analysts covering the credit card, payments, deposits, student, auto, small dollar, marketplace, and installment lending markets, as well as credit reporting, debt collection, debt relief, fintech and the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning in consumer financial services. He also manages budgeting, staffing, and administration of the Bureau’s Markets Office. Prior to joining the CFPB, John was Chief Marketing Officer for LiveVox, a leading provider of cloud contact center solutions and director/co-founder of Fidelis Recovery Solutions, Inc., a debt collector.

Todd Gurstel is the founder of Gurstel Law Firm, P.C., which is a multi-state litigation law firm that represents businesses in all aspects of litigation through the judgment collection phase. The Firm is headquartered in Golden Valley, Minnesota with offices in Arizona, California, Iowa, Nebraska, Nevada, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Gurstel Law Firm is a collegial, collaborative firm with its practice focused on the development of attorneys’ litigation skills, strategies and industry knowledge. The firm is highly regarded for its Creditors’ Rights practice, the area in which Todd directs and is passionate about.

Since 1987, Todd has focused his practice in credit collection, is a recognized leader within the Creditors’ Rights industry, and is known for regularly setting and sharing best practice standards. Todd frequently speaks on compliance issues related to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and is a known trade advocate.

David Reid serves as General Counsel for the Receivables Management Association International (RMAI). In this capacity, David manages the legal, state legislative, regulatory, and advocacy activities of the association. David also serves as staff liaison to the RMAI Certification Council and its Standards and Remediation Committees. David is a graduate of Canisius College and Albany Law School. He is admitted to the California, New Jersey, and New York bars.

Ryan Carney is a Government Affairs Advisor and a member of the Public Policy and Law practice. Prior to joining the firm, Ryan served as the chief of staff for two members of Congress. Through these roles, he excelled in strategic planning, campaign messaging, and leading high-performing teams. Additionally, he served as a staff director for a Congressional committee, delivered several key bills into public law, and raised funds for political candidates’ campaigns.

Don Maurice is a partner at Maurice Wutscher LLP representing the financial services industry in compliance matters, bench trials, jury trials and appeals of individual and class actions. He is admitted to the Bars of Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia and has practiced law since 1988. Don has been inducted into the American College of Consumer Financial Services Lawyers. Don serves as outside counsel to RMAI. He is a fellow at the American Bar Foundation and chairs the Consumer Affairs Committee of the New York City Bar Association. He formerly chaired the Debt Collection Practices and Bankruptcy Subcommittee of the American Bar Association. He is certified as a Leadership Professional in Ethics and Compliance by the Ethics Compliance Initiative. He is editor of the Consumer Financial Services Blog (cfsblog.com). He is a frequent speaker and author on ethics, financial services, and privacy law. His many articles on consumer financial services law have been published in law reviews and trade publications.

David Reid serves as General Counsel for the Receivables Management Association International (RMAI). In this capacity, David manages the legal, state legislative, regulatory, and advocacy activities of the association. David also serves as staff liaison to the RMAI Certification Council and its Standards and Remediation Committees. David is a graduate of Canisius College and Albany Law School. He is admitted to the California, New Jersey, and New York bars.

Before coming to Cozen O’Connor, Meghan served as chief of the Consumer Protection Division in the Office of the Nebraska Attorney General. In that role, Meghan was responsible for the investigation and enforcement of state and federal laws related to deceptive and unfair trade practices, data privacy and security, antitrust, nonprofits, tobacco regulation, and charitable trusts. Prior to serving in the Nebraska Attorney General Office, Meghan was senior privacy and marketing compliance analyst at the multibillion dollar Deluxe Corporation, provider of check printing and related business services.  Meghan also formerly served for almost a decade in the consumer protection and antitrust division of the Office of the Kansas Attorney General. Meghan has extensive experience, through her roles in Kansas and Nebraska, in coordinating closely with federal law enforcement agencies including the Federal Trade Commission, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and the U.S. Department of Justice, to ensure consistent interpretation and judicious application of federal consumer protection laws.