Hawes passed away on June 20.
07/05/2023 10:25 A.M.
2 minute read
Joseph Hawes, founder and owner of Hawes Group in Springfield, Oregon, passed away June 20, 2023, at the age of 58. He died of a sudden illness while at his vacation home in Baja California, Mexico.
Hawes was the founder and owner of Hawes Group, a management company that oversees several businesses offering specialized software and solution options for the accounts receivable management industry. He got his start working for the family enterprise, ACA member company Professional Credit Service (PCS), owned by his mother and late stepfather, Jinx and Ray Klein. Hawes learned the business as a teenager and began working as a collector after graduating from college.
His focus, determination, education and ability to successfully network resulted in his quickly taking over the management reins, and eventually ownership. According to his obituary, he was in large part responsible for the massive growth of PCS, which became—and still is today—one of the largest collection agencies in the Pacific Northwest.
Over the years, Hawes founded and grew multiple businesses, including Health First Financial (AccessOne), Hero Business Services (Ensource), KG Hawes, McKenzie Credit Group, and Hawes Ventures real estate. In recent years, he delved into real estate investment, including developing safe housing for adults in recovery, while also supporting startup businesses throughout the Northwest.
He was an active ACA International member, often seen at our conferences and events. He supported ACPAC, ACA’s political action committee. Hawes was also an active participant in the Committee of 100 meetings.
ACA CEO Scott Purcell shared this insight on his former boss and mentor: “Joe Hawes was one of the most brilliant and innovative members in the ARM industry. He had a penchant for making interactions between people as easy as possible, and seeing evolutions in the marketplace early—and having the courage to act on them. His innovative legacy and positive impact on consumers will last a long time, but his presence will be dearly missed.”
Hawes is survived by his wife, Peggy Sue Hawes; children, Kimber Hawes Carlisle, Max Hawes, Aden Hawes and Bradley Hawes; son-in-law, Andy Carlisle; grandson, Asher Ray Carlisle; stepchildren, Colton Kalmar and Ava Kalmar; mother, Jinx Klein; brother, George Hawes; and step-siblings, Matt Klein, Kathleen Klein, Eileen White and Lisa Miller.
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