Williams bring a passion for advocacy to the position.
07/27/2023 8:30 A.M.
2.5 minute read
ACA International, the Association of Credit and Collection Professionals, elected new officers and members to its Board of Directors, including 2023/24 Board President David Williams, at its Annual Convention & Expo on July 26, 2023. Williams is president and CEO of Williams & Fudge, Inc. in Rock Hill, S.C.
Williams is a second-generation agency owner whose father, Gary Williams—ACA’s 2003/04 president—co-founded Williams & Fudge in 1986 when David was 10.
“It is an honor to serve in this capacity. I feel fortunate to follow in the footsteps of my dad and serve as the first legacy, second-generation president,” Williams said. “I look forward to leading with both the lessons learned from our past and with a strategic and intentional eye on the future.”
His passion has always been in people and sales, so after graduating with a degree in business administration from Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina, Williams accepted a recruiting job at a local company.
But in 2000, a sales position opened up at Williams & Fudge, Inc. and Williams realized what he wanted to do: move back to Rock Hill and work for the family business.
He started out in sales and later joined Williams & Fudge’s management team before being named president in 2014.
Williams believes that business and community leadership go together. Over the years, he has volunteered his time to many local boards and nonprofits, and in 2020 was named the Businessperson of the Year by the York County Regional Chamber of Commerce.
He attributes much of his professional success to ACA’s career development opportunities and educational services. He is an active member of the South Carolina Collectors Association, having served in various roles on the board, including a term as president.
He joined ACA’s Council of Delegates in 2012, was elected to the board in 2018, and has participated in many association committees.
Williams is a dedicated advocate for ACA and the accounts receivable management industry. As president, he is excited to focus on ACA’s growing presence on Capitol Hill and build crucial connections on public policy and legislation.
“I am extremely proud of what our political action committee, ACPAC, is doing and what our advocacy team is accomplishing,” he said. “ACA is well-respected and has significant impact in D.C., and being able to advance that role is going to be crucial for us as we continue to evolve as an association.”
Williams has earned ACA’s Professional Collection Specialist and Fellow and Scholar designations as well as the Harry Strausser Jr. ACPAC Ambassador Award and Kurt Swersky Award.
ACA International’s Board of Directors is made up of nine elected association members who serve three-year terms. Officers serve one-year terms.
ACA International (ACA), the association of credit and collection professionals, is the largest membership organization in the accounts receivable management industry. Founded in 1939, ACA brings together third-party collection agencies, law firms, asset buying companies, creditors and vendor affiliates representing industry professionals. ACA produces a wide variety of products, services and publications, including educational and compliance-related information; and articulates the value of the accounts receivable management industry to businesses, policymakers and consumers. www.acainternational.org.