ACA’s virtual advocacy conference April 22 will include a panel discussion with the Women in Collections Resource Council and members of Congress. Editor’s note: This article is available for members only.
3/22/2021 14:30
Leaders of ACA International’s Women in Collections Resource Council (WICRC) will host a new session during the 2021 Washington Insights Virtual Fly-In April 22 highlighting their experience advocating in Washington, D.C.
WICRC chair Fran Fisher, business development manager—ARM at Payscout, and WICRC members Pauline Kussart, president, The Stark Collection Agency Inc., and Anita Manghisi, president, Independent Recovery Resources Inc., will be joined by U.S. Rep. Michelle Steel, R-Calif., U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa., and U.S. Rep. Victoria Sparks, R-Ind., who will share their perspective on the new makeup of the 117th Congress.
The remainder of the advocacy event, sponsored by VoApps, has an exciting agenda featuring representatives of federal and state regulators and members of Congress.
Join fellow ACA members, ACA staff and key D.C insiders to discuss what is happening “on the Hill” and how ACA’s efforts are impacting your business operations. Register now for your entire staff to join the conversation for one payment of $99.
Start off the day with a session featuring U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., followed by a presentation by ACA CEO Mark Neeb, to officially kick off this highly anticipated event.
Leah Dempsey, ACA’s vice president and senior counsel of federal advocacy, and Travis Johnson, managing principal at 1607 Strategies, will moderate the session with Cramer, who serves on the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs. Cramer is a proponent of simplifying Paycheck Protection Program loans for small businesses. He also opposed Operation Choke Point efforts and supported protections for preserving banking relationships through legislation.
Throughout the day, members will hear updates on the importance of advocacy at the state and federal level.
Interactive sessions include a presentation on connecting with members of Congress led by Dempsey, ACA President Scott Purcell, president, Professional Credit Service; Brian Watkins, president, Southern Oregon Credit Service Inc.; and Richard Perr, managing partner, Kaufman Dolowich Voluck.
Additional confirmed speakers and moderators include:
- Jack Brown III, president, Gulf Coast Collection Bureau Inc.
- Jedd Bellman, assistant commissioner for Non-Depository Supervision, Office of the Commissioner of Financial Regulation, Maryland Department of Labor.
- Michael Klutho, shareholder, Bassford Remele.
- Andrew Madden, vice president, state government and unit affairs, ACA.
- Patrick Russell, director of federal advocacy, ACA.
Russell and Klutho will lead a Q&A discussion about the new Democrat majority in Congress with U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas.
During the afternoon, Nathan Simington, the newest commissioner on the Federal Communications Commission, will talk about working with new leadership at federal agencies, including the FCC and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, with ACA Federal Affairs Committee chair Tamar Yudenfreund senior director, public policy, Encore Capital Group, and Dempsey. Andrew Smith, partner, Covington & Burling LLP, Washington, D.C., who recently led the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection will also join the discussion.
The event will conclude with a presentation on working with new leadership at federal agencies and a virtual happy hour with ACA’s Political Action Committee.
Register now to be a part of this important event focused on helping your businesses succeed through state and federal advocacy. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Email [email protected] for more information on sponsor opportunities.
Watch the Washington Insights website for more details as we confirm members of Congress to participate in sessions during the event.