February 12, 2026 (Sacramento, CA) – The Receivables Management Association International celebrated its 29th Annual Conference in Las Vegas, February 9-12, 2026. RMAI took the opportunity to present its annual awards as part of its Annual Business Meeting, recognizing leaders in the receivables management industry.  RMAI’s Annual Conference is the premier event for the industry, with more than 1,500 attendees this year.

Bud Reitzel Award

The RMAI Board of Directors awarded the Bud Reitzel Lifetime Commitment Award, the industry’s highest recognition, to Anne Thomas, Chief Compliance Officer of Cavalry Investments, LLC.  RMAI created the Reitzel Award to recognize an individual for outstanding leadership and dedication in the receivables management industry who has demonstrated, over many years of service, the ideals that Bud modeled and believed in.

Anne was recognized for her exceptional dedication to the association and its members. A consistently reliable presence, Anne has been deeply engaged across every facet of RMAI’s work, including advocacy, governance, certification, and standards. Her commitment reflects a genuine investment in the strength and credibility of the industry and the association that represents it.

Anne has a long track record of advocating on behalf of the industry with clarity, professionalism, and resolve. Her thoughtful contributions, sound judgment, and readiness to step in wherever needed have meaningfully strengthened RMAI’s efforts and helped elevate the voice of its membership. Through her steady leadership and collaborative approach, Anne has made a lasting impact on the association and the broader receivables management community.

Cavalry Investments, LLC has been a Certified Debt Buyer since 2014. Anne Thomas has been RMAI Certified since 2014.

President’s Award

RMAI awarded the President’s Award to Lou DiPalma, Managing Partner for Garnet Capital Advisors, LLC.

Lou brings deep industry experience to RMAI and consistently pairs that expertise with strong, dependable support for the association’s mission and work.

As a member of RMAI’s Affiliate Advisory Council, Lou is known for his readiness to offer assistance whenever and wherever the association needs it and always contributing thoughtful insight. His efforts have played an important role in growing affiliate membership while also strengthening and supporting the broader RMAI membership as a whole. Lou’s commitment, engagement, and collaborative approach exemplify the values of the association and make him a deserving recipient of this year’s President’s Award.

Garnet Capital Advisors, LLC has been a Certified Broker since 2019.

In 2017, RMAI created the President’s Award which recognizes an individual for outstanding contributions and services to the association and membership. The award goes to someone serving on an RMAI Committee who is selected because of their contribution to committee goals and their innovative ideas helping further the success of RMAI.

Integrity Award

RMAI is proud to present the Integrity Award to Mitch Williamson of Barron & Newburger, P.C., a defense attorney with decades of experience advising and defending stakeholders across the receivables and consumer financial services ecosystem. Throughout his career, Mitch has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to ethical practice, sound judgment, and thoughtful leadership within complex and evolving regulatory environments.

Through education, mentorship, and active engagement with RMAI, Mitch has helped strengthen compliance standards and elevate industry dialogue. He is a member of the Legal Affairs Working Group and also serves as RMAI’s volunteer photojournalist, contributing his time and talents in meaningful ways that support the association and its members. His professionalism, integrity, and consistent service exemplify the values this award is intended to recognize.

Mitch Williamson has been RMAI Certified since 2020.

The Integrity Award recognizes an individual from an RMAI member company for demonstrated integrity in action, either professionally or personally. The recipient of this award is an individual who has demonstrated integrity through specific actions which have contributed positively to the receivables management industry or the individual’s community.

About RMAI

Receivables Management Association International (RMAI) is a nonprofit trade association representing more than 600 companies that purchase or support the purchase of performing and nonperforming receivables on the secondary market. The RMAI Receivables Management Certification Program and Code of Ethics set the global standard within the receivables industry due to the rigorous uniform standards of best practice which focus on protecting consumers. More information about RMAI is available at www.rmaintl.org.

RMAI’s 2026 Annual Conference brings together stakeholders in the receivables management industry—welcoming attendees and exhibitors, presenting highly-respected educational programming, and numerous networking opportunities with key participants, including debt buying companies, collection law firms, collection agencies, brokers, vendors, major creditors, and international members.