The ACA International member company was recognized as being one of the first collection agencies in Montana to utilize a computer and for its contribution to the local community.
12/13/2018 15:00
The founders and current leaders of Collection Bureau Services (CBS) Inc. in Missoula, Mont., were recently honored for their achievements as a small business in the accounts receivable management industry at the 25th annual Montana Family Business Day through the Montana State University Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship.
The Family Business Award for the small business category (10 to 30 employees) was presented to founders Gil and Marlene Koch; company President Jeff Koch; and Vice President Jennifer Whipple. The ACA International member company was founded in 1976. Gilbert Koch passed away in 2007 and Koch’s son, Jeffrey, and granddaughter Jennifer Whipple, run the company now.
“As a local agency we understand the needs of Montana businesses and consumers alike. Over the years we’ve found that our clients appreciate our willingness to work with consumers,” Whipple said in her nomination letter for the company. “As the third generation at Collection Bureau Services, we have been focusing on breaking down the barrier of the negative connotation with collection agency.”
The award is in recognition of CBS’s role as one of the first collection agencies to utilize a computer system and continue to maintain a history of “firsts” in the industry; its support of the community through random acts of kindness; and continuous business growth through dedication and commitment.
Featured speakers at the awards event included U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., and founder of Wheat Montana and Sacajawea Hotel Dean Folkvord. It also included several panel discussions on resources available to family businesses, regional and federal policies affecting businesses and advice for turning business challenges into successes.
A total of six businesses were honored with Family Business day awards at event.
“My father told me when he started the business in 1976 his first goal was to keep the doors open for a year. When I started a decade later my goal was to figure out this newfangled computer thing,” Jeffrey Koch said.
“As the third-generation owner at Collection Bureau Services, I have such gratitude to my grandfather and father for creating such an amazing family friendly business,” added Whipple. “Our team is family to me and I’m so proud to share in this award with everyone at CBS!”
Read more about Collection Bureau Services Inc. in a profile in Collector magazine.
Pictured above: President Jeffrey Koch and Vice President Jennifer Whipple accept the Family Business Award for CBS.