After close to 40 years of association leadership, Smith prepares for his next chapter.
04/02/2024 2:45 P.M.
5 minute read
ACA International Chief Operating Officer Ted Smith announced that he will retire June 7, 2024, after serving ACA members for close to 40 years.
“It has been an honor and privilege to serve the members of ACA and work with so many talented staff over the years,” Smith said. “The great part of working for ACA is that every day brings a new set of challenges and opportunities. I am proud of the things ACA has been able to accomplish over the years, working with dedicated members and staff to make ACA one of the leading trade associations in the country. When I talked with association colleagues in Associations North, where I served as president, they were impressed by the vast amount of products, meetings and services ACA offered its members.”
ACA Leadership
Smith has worn many hats in his time with the association. He joined ACA’s public affairs department in the 1980s, working to help members understand the new reality of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and planning ACA’s Legislative Conference, which eventually evolved into our Washington Insights Fly-In.
“It was pretty exciting for a kid from the plains of Minnesota to travel to Washington, D.C., for the first time, working with one of the top law firms in D.C. to plan this conference,” Smith said.
Smith was also instrumental in launching ACA’s Healthcare Services Program, which for many years hosted ACA’s second-largest meeting every March in Phoenix, Arizona. The success of that program brought about the creation of ACA’s Check Services and Government Services programs. Smith also worked with quality professionals and leading ACA members in creating what is now known as the Blueprint Quality Management System.
Smith has been a steady hand in the leadership of Collectors Insurance Agency, which offers cyber insurance, E&O insurance, bonding and licensing, among many other products, to ACA members. He’s been an integral part of bringing on QBE Insurance and working with broker Aon Risk Services to serve ACA members’ needs, including the existing defense panel. This is an integrated system where the insurance company, the broker, defense attorneys, ACA staff and members work together to reduce frivolous litigation, and help members build strong and resilient compliance management systems.
“It has been an honor to carry on the tradition of providing risk management services to many ACA members,” Smith said. “ACA has provided insurance and bonds to members for more than 50 years, which is quite an accomplishment. The CIA team, led by Angela Butera and Kristina Warmka, does an amazing job helping members every day.”
Smith leads the information technology team at ACA. He noted, “ACA has one the best IT teams in the association management industry. When working with our IT providers, we often hear that they wished they had other clients as sophisticated as the ACA team. Launching a much-improved Microsoft Dynamics CRM, website, creation of the Hub online community, moving buildings and transitioning the staff to work from home are just a few of the accomplishments of this amazing team.”
Smith has a been an integral component of the Alliance ACA program, which develops strategic partnerships with accounts receivable management industry vendors to give member collection professionals discounts and enhanced offerings on critical services and products.
On top of all that, Smith led the International Association of Commercial Collectors as executive director for 20 years.
“Of course Ted’s accomplishments are too many to list in this article, but suffice it to say, Ted’s wit, straight-forward feedback, and business-minded insights will be missed,” said Scott Purcell, ACA’s CEO. “We wish Ted an abundance of happiness in this next phase, and know that the way Ted has served ACA in his business life, will continue on in the ways he serves his family and his community.”
Retirement Announcement Brings Well Wishes
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Ted over the past five years as part of ACA’s partnership with QBE North America’s E&O and crime program. We’ve collaborated on many underwriting and policy changes following court decisions that required a modified approach to our product. Throughout our time together, Ted has made significant contributions to our day-to-day partnership, audits, conferences and more. Under Ted’s guidance, his team has been able to thrive in the industry and achieve many shared successes and accomplishments. We will miss his empowering leadership and thank him for the positive impact he’s made on this profitable partnership.”
– Catherine Torrey, vice president, Financial Lines Programs, QBE
“I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and working with Ted for over 20 years. Ted is a class act. In recent years I’ve worked more closely with him as he became more heavily involved in the insurance programs offered to ACA members through Collectors Insurance Agency and Aon. Ted was also integral in advocating the need for a viable Cyber Insurance Program for members that was not being met in the insurance marketplace. With Ted’s involvement, Aon was able to develop a cyber program with Axis Insurance Company that protects members’ operations and meets their contractual insurance obligations. Ted has truly been an asset to ACA International, its members and CIA. He will be missed.”
– Dick Stackpool, senior vice president, Financial Services Group, Aon
“Ted was one of the first people I met from ACA over 20 years ago at a conference. Each time I saw him over the next 20 years it was the same smile, friendly thing to say and an update on the many great things ACA had in the works. Congratulations, Ted, and thanks for the impact you had on our association and the industry as a whole.”
– Jeff DiMatteo, ACA board member and president, American Profit Recovery, Inc.
“Ted Smith has been a consistent part of ACA for 37 years. He has a way of making everyone feel welcome and is extremely responsive to the needs of members. Ted was one of the first people I met with ACA and made me feel like an important part of our association. He has done the same for many people over the years.”
– David Williams, board president and CEO, Williams & Fudge
Best Wishes
We invite the community and our valued members to join us in celebrating Smith’s remarkable achievements and his enduring impact on the ARM industry.
You can send your well wishes to Ted at [email protected].
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