2023 Ohio Credit Conference
Credit, Collections…And All That Jazz, the “jazz” being the latest topics, technologies and, of course, the connections with your fellow professionals, both new and old, at this year’s Ohio Credit Conference in Marriott Columbus Northwest in Dublin, OH is again conference central. The NACM/Chicago Midwest Board of Directors, NACM Great Lakes Education and Scholarship Committees along with Association staff look forward to seeing you there on November 7 and 8.
For more information please contact Lillian Novak at lillian.novak@nacmconnect.org.
Marriott Columbus Northwest | 5605 Blazer Parkway
Dublin, OH 43017
Opening Keynote Speaker | Chad J. Willett
Chad J. Willett (National Speakers Association/ Screen Actors Guild) is a TEDx speaker, two time author, and creativity and innovation leader who trained at the world famous improvisational school, “The Groundlings.” He was featured in the hit films “She’s All That” with Paul Walker, “Halloween H2O,” with Jamie Lee Curtis and “Can’t Hardly Wait” with Jennifer Love Hewitt. Recently (December 6, 2021), Chad was cast in the feature film, “Shirley” where he acted alongside Oscar-Winning actress Regina King and worked with Academy Award winner director John Ridley. Chad has also worked for three fortune 500 companies (Manpower, ITT Technical Institute and the Washington Post) and is the owner/ operator of Broadway2LA Acting Studio. He leverages his acting background with his experience in working America to create one of a kind keynote addresses/ workshops for his audiences. Chad is a member of St. Mary’s Church in German Village, Ohio and the creator of the “Make Faith Matter Conference.” He has also been involved with “Big Brothers, Big Sisters”, and a reading literacy program for adults. Finally, Chad is married to his wife Erika, and is a proud father to his baby girl, Scarlett.
Closing Keynote Speaker | Brodie Oldham
VP, Experian Business Information Services
The 2023 NACM Connect Conference ends with commentary on the state of the economy from Brodie Oldham, VP, Experian Business Information Services. Highly informative and engaging, Oldham will share what he and his team of consultants see as coming trends in the economy, good news and bad.
As Vice President of U.S. Commercial Data Science, and an active statistical consultant at Experian, Brodie Oldham leads a team made up of statistical consultants, scientist, modelers, and engineers with diverse skills who provide clients with leading edge analytic-driven information solutions, services, and data visualizations of actionable insights. He has a wide breadth of experience, as a client as well as a consultant, from production to statistical analytics, which results in a holistic business perspective. He services diverse organizations from small US based lenders to the largest international banks, and government agencies on engagements ranging from credit bureau data comparison, tri-bureau attribute development and levelling, blended credit data, advanced analytic product development, credit trends, and custom solutions with 20+ years of experience in disciplines including advanced analytics; database development; prospecting; acquisitions; risk assessment; retention; collections. Prior to joining Experian, he worked at Citi Cards and Citi Mortgage as the Consumer Credit Risk Analytical Consultant. Brodie is an industry expert, who is a regular speaker at industry conferences. He writes and speaks on behalf of Experian about trends in credit markets and how small businesses can grow successful ventures and gain access to funding through strong credit fundamentals.
Jerry Bailey
Executive Sales and Education Services Manager, NCS
Jerry Bailey is currently the Executive Sales and Education Services Manager for NCS and has been with the company since 1995. Prior to coming to NCS, Jerry was a Corporate Credit Manager in the manufacturing industry for 10 years, during which time he gained a very thorough hands-on experience with both UCC filings and Mechanic’s Lien filings. Jerry consults with companies daily and has spoken to groups nationwide about Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code, Revised Article 9, the nuances of Construction Credit, and the benefits of selling through secured transactions. His presentations cover not only the legal protections brought about by the mechanic’s lien and UCC filing processes, but also practical solutions of how and when to use these tools.
Eric Chafetz
Partner, Lowenstein Sandler
Eric is a trusted advisor to creditors’ committees and individual trade creditors, debtors, and plan/liquidating trustees involved in complex Chapter 11 bankruptcies throughout the United States. He advises clients across a wide range of industries on all aspects of the Chapter 11 process, from pre-filing negotiation and preparation of first-day pleadings, including financing and sale documents; through the drafting and negotiation of plans of reorganization and all related ancillary documentation. Eric also has a strong track record in bankruptcy-related litigation, including investigating and prosecuting actions against officers, directors, and lenders, as well as in prosecuting and defending preference/fraudulent transfer actions. Eric is a frequent speaker on current bankruptcy and creditors’ rights topics, including serving as a guest lecturer at the Columbia University School of Professional Studies, where he has lectured on such subjects as the intersection of bankruptcy and construction law. He participated in the American Bankruptcy Institute Commission’s Avoidance Power Subcommittee’s study of aspects of the Bankruptcy Code involving preferences, creditors’ reclamation rights, and creditors’ rights under Section 503(b)(9). Eric is also a prolific author, and has published numerous articles addressing various cutting-edge issues in journals geared toward trade and other categories of creditors, including publications by the National Association of Credit Management, the Credit Research Foundation, and the New York Law Journal.
Cliff Chamberlain, CPA
Cliff Chamberlain is an experienced professional accountant in both the public and private sectors. Skilled in Mergers and Acquisitions, Due Diligence, Forensic Accounting, and Tax planning & preparation, Cliff also has over 15 years specializing in credit and collections. His customized Credit Risk Analysis programs have reduced accounts receivable and the collections efforts required to maintain reasonable account balances. A strong believer that professional collections allow companies to maintain, and improve customer relationships, Cliff has shared his expertise as contractor, staff, university adjunct, and as an NACM instructor and presenter. In his free time, you’ll find Cliff camping, fishing, and running cornhole tournaments.
Staci Cima
Senior Customer Success Manager North America, Sidetrade
Staci Cima is the Senior Customer Success Manager North America for Sidetrade, an Order to Cash Software company dedicated to increasing working capital, accelerating cash flow and transforming the finance function into a data-driven, strategic advantage. Staci has more than 25 years’ experience in various finance management including public accounting, corporate finance and Order to Cash management. Staci has her CCE Certification and was a member of the NACM for 12 years serving on various committees and on the Connect Governing Board. Staci has a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting.
Amy Cook, CCE
Credit Manager, McNaughton McKay Electric
Amy has been in a management position since age 18, working in the food industry and discovered her passion for Credit Management in 1999 after taking a position as the AR clerk for Kellermeyer Company. This change from the food industry to Credit made a huge impact. Amy quickly moved up to the Assistant Credit Manager, joined the National Association of Credit Management (NACM), and earned her CBA in 2001. Leaving Kellermeyer in late 2001, Amy spent 3 years with Great Lakes Window as a Credit Analyst and then joined the Credit team at Therma Tru Doors. Amy continued her education earning Associate degrees in both Accounting and Business Management from Owens College in 2007, also being named Business Student of the year for that year. Amy earned her bachelor’s degree in Management and Organizational Development, in 2010. Since April 2012, Amy has been the Credit Manager for the Northern Region for McNaughton McKay Electric Company, an electrical distributor that provides products to companies in almost every business sector, providing for a diverse set of accounts and opportunities. Amy supervises the Accounts Receivable team, works with sales and operations within 9 locations and oversees a portfolio of over 3500 active accounts. In 2016, Amy earned her CCE. Amy is a proud mother of 3, including a son currently serving in the US Marines and grandmother to 3 wonderful boys.
Diana Crowe, CGA
Regional Director, NACM Southwest
Diana Crowe, Regional Director for NACM Southwest, is a sought-after speaker and presenter, drawing upon her strong background in training and education. Diana has enjoyed leading webinars and on-site sessions on a wide variety of topics for audiences that range from credit professionals to aspiring and published authors as well as several ladies’ groups. Her credentials include published articles for NACM Business Credit Magazine and Credit Research Foundation. She holds a Bachelors in Organizational Management and, under her pen name, she is a USA Today Best-Selling Author.
Terri Eggebeen
Assistant Manager, Credit and Collections Fechheimer Brothers Co.
Terri Eggebeen has spent the last 33 years in the Credit and Collections world starting in consumer credit for 10 years. She then made the jump to corporate credit where she has been for the last 24 years. For the past 7 years Terri has been with Fechheimer Brothers Company located in Cincinnati, OH., where she is the Assistant Credit Manager overseeing the Credit and Collections team. As of Jan 2, 2024, Terri will drop Assistant and is being promoted to Manager, Credit & Collections in efforts to prepare the company for the well-deserved retirement of her greatest mentor and Director, long time NACM member, Jay Zimmerman. It’s because of Jay, Terri found her passion in Credit and risk mitigation many years ago at the first company she worked for him. In her spare time Terri enjoys riding her Harley Davidson with her husband Shawn and playing with her 2 pit bull babies, Zeus, and Millie.
Thomas Fawkes
Partner, Tucker Ellis LLP
Thomas Fawkes is with the law firm of Tucker Ellis LLP in its Chicago office. Tom focuses his practice on bankruptcy, creditors’ rights and financial restructuring matters, representing official committees, unsecured and secured creditors, debtors, financial institutions, post-confirmation trustees and asset purchasers in Chapter 11 and 7 bankruptcy cases, out-of-court restructurings, and liquidation proceedings throughout the United States. Tom also assists his clients in structuring commercial transactions with a view towards mitigating risk of future bankruptcy and insolvency losses. Among other honors, Tom has been recognized as an Illinois Leading Lawyer in Bankruptcy & Workout Law: Commercial, and by Chambers and Partners as one of the leading bankruptcy and restructuring attorneys in Illinois.
Dan Howarth
Solution Consultant, Sidetrade
Dan Howarth is a Pre-Sales Solution Consultant at Sidetrade specializing in evaluating companies O2C processes and identifying software and automation solutions. Dan has worked in the FinTech O2C SaaS space for nearly 5 years. Prior to that he worked in O2C as a practitioner at a large logistics company for nearly 10 years.
Brian Jackiw
Partner, Tucker Ellis LLP
Brian Jackiw is a partner with the law firm of Tucker Ellis LLP. Brian is experienced in bankruptcy and commercial litigation, practicing in courts throughout the country. He has represented plaintiffs and defendants in avoidance actions, complex bankruptcy claim disputes, breach of fiduciary duty actions and bankruptcy fraud litigation. Beyond litigation in the bankruptcy courts, Brian has experience in general collection and commercial law litigation. Brian has also spent significant time advocating on behalf of general unsecured creditors through his representation of official committees of unsecured creditors. Before becoming an attorney, Brian served as an Officer in the U.S. Army.
Andrew La Marca, CFE, CAMS
Director of Fraud and Compliance Operations, Dun & Bradstreet
Andrew J. La Marca, CFE, CAMS has over 13 years of experience as an anti-fraud professional with stops at Capital One, Ally Financial and his current employer, Dun & Bradstreet. At Dun & Bradstreet he leads the Fraud, Compliance, ESG, and Public Records Operations teams. Two of these teams are tasked in helping clients detect/mitigate fraud and adhere to compliance/regulatory risk. Andrew is extremely passionate about what he does and loves discussing challenges and identifying ways to improve fraud detection and prevent business identity theft. Andrew graduated from The Pennsylvania State University with a degree in Crime, Law and Justice in 2009 and obtained his CFE in 2014 and CAMS in 2018.
Dean Middleton
President UnitedTranzActions
Dean Middleton is President of United TranzActions with over 37 years of experience in the payment processing industry…with 32 of those years as an owner. Dean has contributed very well throughout his career by engaging in the development of various payment methods – and he continues to do so – beginning with Check Guarantee in 1986, and then expanding into Credit Card Merchant Services, ACH, Online Bill Pay, Remote Deposit Capture, Credit Card Surcharging, and more. A unique identifier in what Dean provides in the market versus his competitors is a Guaranteed payment to be applied to transactions at the discretion of his clients, this being made possible because of the proprietary Risk Logic & Filters that resides at his company. Dean has had a front-row seat in serving over 6,500 companies who currently process billions of dollars in annual payments bringing efficiencies and cost reductions to every relationship that he has. Dean is viewed and accepted by his peers as a worthy speaker with meaningful content based upon his rather vast experience.
Lillian Novak, CGA
Chief Communications Officer, NACM Connect
Lillian Novak is the Chief Communications Officer at NACM Connect, having joined the Association in 1999. She comes to NACM by way of the banking industry, beginning her career in the 1970’s as an International Banking Specialist at Harris Bank in Chicago. Her career continued at Barclays Bank’s Chicago office in commercial lending. Novak joined Robert Morris Associates (now the Risk Management Association) in 1988 as an Account Executive. RMA is the premier trade association for commercial lenders and bank credit professionals. Novak was directly responsible for sales and coordination of the delivery of education programs to the largest banks in the Midwest and Western regions of the country. Since joining NACM Connect, Novak has served as an Account Executive, Manager of Member Services and Director of Education. She also served as the Vice President of Education and Marketing prior to being promoted to her current position. Novak is a Group Administrator responsible for NACM Connect’s two largest trade groups and holds her Certified Group Administrator designation from the National Association of Credit Management in Baltimore, MD. Novak is an active member of the American Society of Association Executives and Association Forum of Chicagoland.
Dale Phillips
Business Development Manager, I2C, Esker, Inc.
Dale’s career in the technology arena spans over 25-years, where he has worked with a diverse set of technologies that include telecommunications, OS security software, business process improvement and cloud-based solutions. Over that time staying curious and continually improving his understanding of marketplace dynamics, industry trends and technology developments was imperative to understanding how those forces impact organizations and the individuals that work for them. That understanding being a must in helping those organizations on their unique process improvement journeys. The truly magical results come from helping people, augmented with the appropriate use of technology, to come together and radically improve their day-to-day work lives. To change the methods and the pace at which business gets done.
Brooke Rentschler
Credit Manager, Baker Specialty & Supply Company, Inc.
Brooke Rentschler is the Credit Manager at Baker Specialty & Supply Company, Inc. located in Logansport, Indiana. She has 18 years in accounting with the last 8 years in credit and collections with Baker Specialty. Brooke has an AA from Indiana University and a BS in Business Management from Indiana Wesleyan University.
Chris Ring
National Representation, NACM Secured Transaction Services
Chris Ring is the National Representative for NACM’s Secured Transaction Services and he specializes in assisting credit professionals secure their receivables using Mechanic’s Lien Laws and Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code. Chris consults with companies on a daily basis leading them to find the best way to use these credit tools to assure that they are in the best possible position to get paid. Since 2002, Chris has completed seminars on both Mechanic’s Liens and UCC Filings for companies, NACM Affiliate Credit Conferences, NACM Industry Credit Groups, CFDD Meetings and NACM’s Secured Transaction Services seminars. During Chris’ presentations, he demonstrates how to overcome objections from customers, sales reps and management to using these credit tools. Chris also actively solicits questions from attendees so all attendees can learn from the successes and struggles others have had while using these tools. In the end, Chris’ goal is to help you be the best credit professional you can be and have a little fun along the way.
Michael Williams
Vice President, NACM Relations UnitedTranzactions
A familiar face within the NACM for the past 25 years, Michael has partnered with NACM Members of all sizes to introduce creative solutions for third-party payment processing efficiencies and system integrations. Michael is a conference speaker, round table expert, and NACM certification curriculum and Credit Magazine contributor and is always enthusiastic in sharing his knowledge with the NACM Membership!
