Brandy Seats’ participation in the Georgia Collectors Association has opened her eyes to a whole new world of information.
10/26/2018 2:00
Seven months into her term as president of the Georgia Collectors Association (GCA), Brandy Seats told Collector magazine in a recent interview the leadership opportunity is educational on all fronts.
In an industry with evolving compliance requirements and regulations, being part of one of ACA International’s state or regional units gives association members a sounding board where they can share their ideas and knowledge.
“It’s probably the No. 1 way to keep your finger on the pulse of the industry,” Seats said. “I don’t think I can stress enough how great it is, the amount of information we get from these meetings.”
Like many unit board members, Seats started out volunteering with the GCA as a state director, gradually climbing the ladder to the role of president in April 2018.
“Our first meeting was mind-blowing—to be able to meet with other companies in our industry that were so willing to share their information and best practices and management techniques,” Seats recalled. “It was eye opening. I came back with probably 10 pages of notes on compliance, accounting and training.”
When the opportunity to be GCA president presented itself, Seats was excited to take it on. At 29, she is one of the younger members of the unit, and she brings a fresh view of the industry to the table while learning from her colleagues’ experiences. “I learn a lot from them, but I think it goes both ways,” Seats said.
She believes her work with GCA has enhanced her success as director of sales and marketing at Capital Recovery Corp. in Alpharetta, Ga., the firm she has worked for since her college days.
While it was a little tricky learning to balance her work and unit commitments, especially as GCA president, Seats said her roles in the unit and Capital Recovery Corp. go hand in hand.
“We’re always trying to cross-reference ideas and work together to build up our knowledge base,” she said. “In the end, it is very beneficial to everyone here. In all ways it’s improved who I am and how I work.”
Read more on Seats’ role as president of the GCA and why she recommends other ACA International members get involved in the October issue of Collector magazine.