For the last 11 years, RMAI has seen firsthand how General Counsel David Reid’s determination and desire to succeed has benefited the receivables management industry.

After growing up in Upstate New York, David went to Canisius College to major in history and political science before going to Albany Law School.

He said that because his favorite uncle was an attorney, he decided in the second grade that he would become an attorney. He knew his college majors by the ninth grade.

“I have always had a pretty good idea on where I would go in life,” said David.

David selected Albany Law School because it was in the State Capital, and he was always passionate about politics. This gave him the opportunity to volunteer at the New York State Capitol while taking classes.

After law school, he served as counsel for the New York State Assembly, New York State Senate, an Albany lobbying firm, and the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation. David also ran for the Albany County Legislature (and lost by only 42 votes) before he and his family moved across the country and landed in California.

After working as General Counsel and Vice President of External Relations for EdFund, a federal student loan guarantee agency, he finally came to RMAI.

For the first nine years at RMAI, David’s title was “Director of Government Affairs and Policy.” In California at the time, there was a rule saying that unless your company had 10 or more employees you couldn’t have a registered in-house counsel. David lobbied for the change and by 2020 he was able to use his official title of General Counsel.

At RMAI, David’s main focus is overseeing state government affairs for all 50 states. This includes overseeing interactions with state legislatures, executive agencies, and State Attorney Generals, as well as strategy, negotiations, bill drafting, redlining amendments, memorandums and hiring lobbyists in states where extra help is needed.

David is proud of RMAI’s lobbying efforts, which have seen a 90% success rate in defeating or amending harmful legislation.

“It’s a team effort. We couldn’t be successful without the grassroots support of our membership and their contributions to RMAI’s Legislative Fund.”

His other focus is the RMAI Receivables Management Certification Program, and the industry-leading certification standards, that he and a 60-person task force spent eight months drafting in 2012.

Each year, David and the Certification Standards Committee work on enhancements to the program standards, before they are reviewed by the Certification Council, the Board of Directors, and the RMAI members. He is currently drafting version 11.0.

“Developing the RMAI Receivables Management Certification Program was a very professionally rewarding experience,” said David. “I am very proud of what we have accomplished. It is a program that has made a difference and improved the lives of consumers.” The idea for RMAI’s certification program came from former Board President Mike Bendickson and RMAI Executive Director Jan Stieger.

“Those efforts have a direct benefit for members at both a state and federal level,” said David. “I’ve enjoyed working with my fellow colleagues, including Director of Certification and Education Shannon Parod who runs the day-to-day operations of the certification program, and the RMAI leadership on the Board of Directors. I know that what we are doing is making a difference.”

“The RMAI Receivables Management Certification Program is making the world a better place,” he said. “It is a nice feeling that we are helping to protect the industry and consumers at the same time.”

In his free time, David likes to hang out with his wife and three sons or go downhill skiing (a hobby he started at only 3-years-old.)

He also serves as President of the Folsom Cordova Unified School District School Board, a position he was elected to in 2018.

For 2023, David is looking towards a busy legislative session and seeing what new bills will be introduced. “We will be prepared for whatever comes,” he said.

“It takes a unique individual who enjoys the detail work necessary in redlining potential legislation,” said Jan. “In this industry, one simple word or comma can greatly impact the law. Dave excels and is recognized in the industry for his bill drafting abilities.”