As Director of Business Development at National Credit Adjusters, LLC, my involvement with the Receivables Management Association International (RMAI) has been important to my career in receivables management and greatly beneficial to the success and continual improvement of our industry and collective industry organizations. It’s also been a valuable avenue for my personal and professional growth as an individual, providing the supportive and inspiring professional community and membership that I believe we all need (especially with remote work!). As a RMAI Certified Receivables Compliance Professional (CRCP) working for a RMAI Certified Receivables Business (CRB)— and now having joined the RMAI Board of Directors— here are a few reasons why RMAI involvement is so important to me.
Why Individual Certification is Important to Me
I’ve maintained my certification with RMAI as a Certified Receivables Compliance Professional (CRCP) since 2021. (Our Client Relations Manager, Lindsay Love, with whom I work closely, also earned her CRCP certification this year — congrats!) We at NCA value this as a company and as individuals because it’s a symbol of our alignment with the values of RMAI within the greater receivables industry.
Championing professional and ethical business practices within the industry is part of our organizational drive and part of the vision of RMAI. Individuals and businesses have, and will continually need to collaborate to achieve this on a broad scope. Participation in the certification program adds to the advancement of the vision and signifies its importance to you as an individual and to the organization you represent.
Completing the professional development requirements to maintain CRCP certification is one way I keep abreast of new changes and best practices so I can continue to incorporate those into our day-to-day operations. We are never too experienced to stop learning, especially in an ever-changing industry. I appreciate the sessions RMAI presents through online webinars and in-person events to support my ongoing professional growth, which is so important for anyone who wishes to prevent becoming stagnant or too ingrained in their ways of thinking or doing things.
Why I Volunteer on Committees
As anyone on the client relations or vendor partnership side of things can relate, I often rely on trusted relationships to help build bridges for business growth and maintain strong vendor and client partnerships. One of the most immediately apparent benefits of getting involved in association committee work is the ability to form and grow new and ongoing industry relationships. I’ve had the pleasure of serving alongside fellow members on the Legislative Fund Committee and the Fintech Working Group. Growing my professional network and connecting with other members working toward common goals was the unexpected bonus of volunteering.
An interesting thing about serving on a committee is that it’s generally a level playing field; regardless of your role within your company, you’re all there with the association to serve a unified greater purpose together. Throughout that process, relationships develop naturally. You may even get the opportunity to learn how someone from a different organization might approach something in a unique or interesting way, or in a way that challenges you to grow.
Why I Joined the Board of Directors
After a few years of committee involvement and active participation in RMAI events throughout the year, I decided to run for the Board of Directors. It was a little intimidating at first to take my involvement to that next level, but I wanted to do my part to contribute to the association that has supported me the last 20+ years. I am thankful to say I was elected to the Board at the Annual Conference in February 2024.
RMAI, like most trade associations, relies on the commitment of businesses and individuals representing those businesses to further the work that needs to be done. While there is a small staff of fantastic individuals working full-time for RMAI, donations of time and money are simply essential for the success of the association and in turn, the success of the industry and our businesses.
The Value of Multiple Perspectives
Having worked for a major corporation, a publicly traded company, and a creditor’s rights law firm, I think it’s fair to say at this point that I’ve experienced a lot of industry perspectives in my career. I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to share those experiences through committee work and participation on the Board of Directors.
Advocacy, membership, education, and events all require a variety of experienced voices from the industry for successful execution. As with so many things, the adage that we are stronger together applies to trade associations as well. While I may be collaborating alongside competitors, our joint efforts to continue to steer the industry in the right direction and pave the way for the next generation of leaders is important.
My involvement doesn’t just give me reciprocal profit-driven benefits; it gives me the benefit of knowing I’m doing something that matters. In the long run, this work matters to consumers, it matters to businesses, and it matters to our greater credit ecosystem. I hope leaders of the next generation will continue to keep in mind the importance of association involvement; the need and value should not be underestimated or overlooked.
About National Credit Adjusters
Founded in 2002, National Credit Adjusters (NCA) is a private company dedicated to acquiring and managing delinquent consumer installment and online lending accounts. Through continuous research, automation, analytics, and process evaluation, NCA remains at the forefront of industry standards. Emphasizing strong performance and compliance, the company prioritizes ongoing employee development and quality training. Whether purchasing, servicing, or selling debt, NCA conducts all business with unwavering respect and fairness. For comprehensive information on their operations and to explore their commitment to ethical practices and industry leadership, visit ncaks.com.