February 9, 2018 (Sacramento, CA) – Leaders from Receivables Management Association International (RMA) honored outstanding members this week at the association’s 21st Annual Conference—Play Your Best Hand—in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Irwin Kirschenbaum, owner of Kirschenbaum & Phillips, P.C., received the Bud Reitzel Lifetime Commitment Award for his dedication to the receivables management industry. Mark Naiman, President of RMA, presented Kirschenbaum with the award on Wednesday, February 7 at the opening conference address. Naiman highlighted Kirschenbaum’s honorable record of embracing transparency and forging relationships with regulators and legislators—often by inviting legislators into his place of business to demonstrate the professionalism of legitimate and ethical receivables management companies.

“Irwin’s dedication to our industry and association goes way beyond what anyone can see,” said Marian Sangalang, newly elected President Elect of RMA. “He has been a long-time participant in advocacy efforts, served on the RMA Board, and has often acted as the primary liaison between RMA and the New York legal community.”

The Bud Reitzel Lifetime Commitment Award is presented each year to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, integrity, and dedication in the receivables management industry. All RMA members are invited to submit a nomination in the months leading up to the Annual Conference.

Michael Lagana, Vice President of Maryland Portfolios, received the President’s Award for his engagement at both the state and federal level and for his overall championship of RMA. Lagana is frequently called on to visit Washington, D.C. to advocate on behalf of the industry. Lagana’s company has been a consistent contributor to the RMA Legislative Fund and a continued exhibitor at the Annual Conference.

The President’s Award was introduced in 2017 as a means to recognize an individual for outstanding contributions and services to the association and membership. Recipients serve on an RMA Committee, Task Force, or RMA Certification Council; their contributions provide innovative ideas to help further the success of the association.

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About Receivables Management Association International
Receivables Management Association International (RMA) is the nonprofit trade association that represents more than 550 companies that purchase or support the purchase of performing and nonperforming receivables on the secondary market. The Receivables Management Certification Program and Code of Ethics set the global standard within the receivables industry due to its rigorous uniform industry standards of best practice which focus on the protection of the consumer. RMA provides its members with extensive networking, educational, and business development opportunities in asset classes that span numerous industries. The association continually sets the standard in the receivables management industry through its highly effective grassroots advocacy, conferences, committees, task forces, publications, webinars, teleconferences, and breaking news alerts. Founded in 1997 as the Debt Buyers Association, RMA is headquartered in Sacramento, California.