2022 OHIO Credit Conference
It is with great anticipation that we look forward to returning to a live event at this year’s Fall conference, Credit on Tap. After two years of virtual conferences, it’s time to gather again with our friends and colleagues. Things are changing so rapidly in the world of credit – come draw from the taps of knowledge from our speakers, exhibitors and fellow members as we attempt to craft a path to barrelling our companies through the mash. The action begins brewing at Ohio Conference Marriott Columbus OSU in Columbus, OH on November 8th. The NACM/Chicago-Midwest Board of Directors, Education Committee along with Association staff look forward to seeing you there.
For more information please contact Lillian Novak at lillian.novak@nacmconnect.org.
Marriott Columbus OSU | 3100 Olentangy River Road
Columbus, OH 43202
Wanda Borges, Esq.
Borges and Associates
Wanda Borges is the principal member of Borges & Associates, LLC, a law firm based in Syosset, NY. For more than 29 years, Ms. Borges has concentrated her practice on commercial litigation and creditors’ rights in bankruptcy matters, representing corporate clients and creditors’ committees throughout the United States in Chapter 11 proceedings, out-of-court settlements, commercial transactions and preference litigation. She is the Immediate Past President of the Commercial Law League of America and has been an Attorney Member of its National Board of Governors, a Past Chair of the Bankruptcy Section and a past member of the executive council of its Eastern Region. Ms. Borges is a member of the American Bar Association, the American Bankruptcy Institute, the Hispanic National Bar Association and the Turnaround Management Association, and is an associate member of the International Association of Commercial Collectors. She is a regular lecturer for NACM and its Affiliated Associations on commercial and corporate law (including ECOA, the Uniform Commercial Code and FCRA), insolvency matters, creditors’ rights issues, antitrust law and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Ms. Borges has authored, edited and contributed to numerous publications including Thomson West’s Enforcing Judgments and Collecting Debts in New York, the NAB book Out of the Red and Into the Black, the BCCA’s Credit & Collection Handbook, the CLLA Commercial Law Journal, Bulletin, Debt 3 and Bankruptcy Section newsletters-including her treatise “Hidden Liens, Who is Entitled to What?”-and NACM’s Antitrust, Restraint of Trade and Unfair Competition: Myth Versus Reality, Manual of Credit and Collection Laws and Principles of Business Credit. She has co-authored The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 – An Overhaul of U.S. Bankruptcy Law, also published by NACM.
Ed Bratz
Business Development Manager, Esker
Ed is a Business Development Manager who brings with him over 10+ years experience, guiding organizations through their digital transformation journey, while helping companies achieve their process improvement goals. Outside of work, you’ll find him on the baseball field, coaching his two sons in Little League.
Kim Bulger, CBA
Credit Services Manager, Viking SupplyNet
Kim Bulger is the Credit Manager for Viking SupplyNet, a Michigan based fire protection company. She manages all areas of the credit function including credit extension, collections for US, Canada, and Latin America, bad debt/litigation management, budgeting/planning, and is a member of the corporate leadership team. She has 15 years of experience in credit management holding her CBA designation. She is an active member of NACM and The Columbus Women Leaders Association. She enjoys spending time with family, golfing, and other outdoor activities.
Jim Cali, CPA, CFF, CGMA
Jim Cali has over 35 years of auditing and accounting experience, including internal audits, financial audits, forensic accounting, and financial investigations. He has testified numerous times as a Forensic Accountant Expert Witness before Grand Jurys and Criminal Cases in both state and federal courts.
Jim spent the better part of 24 years as a Forensic Accountant in Law Enforcement where he conducted financial investigations for criminal cases involving organized crime, terrorist financing, cargo theft, drug trafficking, embezzlement, bank fraud, securities fraud, insurance fraud, mortgage/loan fraud, auto theft, prescription drug diversion, arson-for-profit and money laundering. He has worked joint investigations with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in addition to assisting law enforcement officials in Canada, Barbados, Haiti, Jamaica, and France. Shortly after September 11, 2001, he was selected by the Office of Homeland Security to be a member of the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), an elite investigative unit, which focused on forensic accounting investigations of terrorist financial networks in the state of Florida. In September 2007, Jim received an “Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer of The Year Award” from the United States Department of Justice for his financial investigation related to a nation-wide prescription drug diversion and money laundering case.
Although Jim is “technically retired,’ in October 2019, a Federal Bankruptcy Judge appointed him as the Chairperson of the Creditor’s Committee in the Federal Bankruptcy Case for the Diocese of Rochester, New York. Professionally, he is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI), and CPA professional organizations for the states of Missouri, Illinois, and Florida.
Amy Cook, CCE
Credit Manager, McNaughton McKay Electric Co.
Amy has been in a management position since age 18, working in the food industry and discovered her passion for Credit Management in 1999 after taking a position as the AR clerk for Kellermeyer Company. This change from the food industry to Credit made a huge impact. Amy quickly moved up to the Assistant Credit Manager, joined the National Association of Credit Management (NACM), and earned her CBA in 2001. Leaving Kellermeyer in late 2001, Amy spent 3 years with Great Lakes Window as a Credit Analyst and then joined the Credit team at Therma Tru Doors. Amy continued her education earning Associate degrees in both Accounting and Business Management from Owens College in 2007, also being named Business Student of the year for that year. Amy earned her bachelor’s degree in Management and Organizational Development, in 2010. Since April 2012, Amy has been the Credit Manager for the Northern Region for McNaughton McKay Electric Company, an electrical distributor that provides products to companies in almost every business sector, providing for a diverse set of accounts and opportunities. Amy supervises the Accounts Receivable team, works with sales and operations within 9 locations and oversees a portfolio of over 3500 active accounts. In 2016, Amy earned her CCE. Amy is a proud mother of 3, including a son currently serving in the US Marines and grandmother to 3 wonderful boys.
Diana Crowe, CGA
Managing Director, NACM Southwest
As the Regional Director for NACM Southwest, Diana draws upon her experience in credit management, her deep understanding of collections and deductions management, along with her customer/member centric style to support the NACM membership. In addition to her operational experience, she is a sought after speaker and presenter, drawing upon her strong background in training and education. Diana has enjoyed leading webinars and on-site sessions on a wide variety of topics for many NACM industry credit groups, conferences and at NACM’s Credit Congress. From a credit management position in plumbing and electrical supply, Diana went on to work for IAB Solutions and HighRadius before joining NACM Southwest. Diana holds a BS in Organizational Management.
Terri Eggebeen
Assistant Manager, Credit and Collections, Fechheimer
Terri Eggebeen has spent the last 30 years in the Credit and Collections world starting in consumer credit for 10 years. She then made the jump to corporate credit where she has been for the last 20 years. For the past 6 years Terri has been with Fechheimer Brothers Company located in Cincinnati, OH., where she is the Assistant Credit Manager overseeing the Credit and Collections team. In her spare time Terri enjoys riding her Harley Davidson with her husband Shawn and playing with her 2 pit bull babies, Zeus, and Millie.
Thomas Fawkes, Esq.
Partner, Tucker Ellis
Thomas Fawkes is with the law firm of Tucker Ellis LLP in its Chicago office. Tom focuses his practice on bankruptcy, creditors’ rights and financial restructuring matters, representing official committees, unsecured and secured creditors, debtors, financial institutions, post-confirmation trustees and asset purchasers in chapter 11 and 7 bankruptcy cases, out-of-court restructurings, and liquidation proceedings throughout the United States. Tom also assists his clients in structuring commercial transactions with a view towards mitigating risk of future bankruptcy and insolvency losses. Among other honors, Tom has been recognized as an Illinois Leading Lawyer in Bankruptcy & Workout Law: Commercial, and by Chambers and Partners as one of the leading bankruptcy and restructuring attorneys in Illinois.
Matt Fluegge
Executive Consultant, Worldpay
Matt Fluegge is a Certified Payments Professional and Executive Consultant with Worldpay, formerly known as Vantiv. Vantiv acquired Worldpay in 2018 and has changed its name to Worldpay due to its global recognition. Worldpay is the nation’s largest acquirer, processing more purchase transactions than any other processor. Matt has been with the company for 17 years and specializes in credit card acceptance and payment processing in the Business-to-Business industries. He has a Business Administration degree in Finance and manages Worldpay’s 21-year partnership with the NACM and UTA. Through the NACM Program, Matt works one-on-one with members to provide payment processing services that simplify payments and improve efficiency, security, and income.
Darren Greene
Senior Credit Solutions Consultant, NACM Connect
Darren has worked for NACM Connect since October of 2005 in all facets of the association, finally landing as a credit solutions consultant for the past 8 years.
Prior to working with NACM Connect, Darren held a position with AT&T for 7 years in the Global Markets Division as a Business Manager, handling all Fortune 500 company branches in Ohio that were headquartered in other States.
Brian Jackiw, Esq.
Counsel, Tucker Ellis LLP
Brian Jackiw is with the law firm of Tucker Ellis LLP. Brian is experienced in bankruptcy and commercial litigation, practicing in courts throughout the country. He has represented plaintiffs and defendants in avoidance actions, complex bankruptcy claim disputes, breach of fiduciary duty actions and bankruptcy fraud litigation. Beyond litigation in the bankruptcy courts, Brian has experience in general collection and commercial law litigation. Brian has also spent significant time advocating on behalf of general unsecured creditors through his representation of official committees of unsecured creditors. Before becoming an attorney, Brian served as an Officer in the U.S. Army.
Rich Johnsen
Senior Director of D&B Finance Analytics, Dun & Bradstreet
Rich Johnsen is Senior Director of D&B Finance Analytics at Dun & Bradstreet. Prior to joining D&B Rich held roles in 5 different industries in finance, treasury, supply chain and for the past 18 years in credit risk management at Dun & Bradstreet. During his tenure at D&B Rich has managed, developed, innovated, priced and sold the D&B trade credit product suite and data offerings. Rich and family reside in Morris County New Jersey.
Chris Kuehl
Managing Director, Aramada Corporate Intelligence
Chris Kuehl is the co-founder and Managing Director of Armada Corporate Intelligence, a company created in 1999 to provide strategy foundation, competitive intelligence, business analysis and economic forecasting for corporate clients. Chris is the editor and primary writer for several publications including Business Intelligence Briefs, Strategic Intelligence. A frequent commentator for the media, he is a regular economic/business analyst for KMBZ radio and the local NBC affiliate in his native Kansas City, MO, and has been extensively quoted in national newspapers, magazines and trade publications. He holds a Masters Degree in Soviet and East European Studies, a Masters in East Asian Studies and a PhD in Political Economics from the University of Kansas. He has been on the faculty of universities in the US, Hungary, Estonia, Russia, Singapore and Taiwan.
Phillip J. Lattanzio, CCE
President & COO, NACM Connect
Phil Lattanzio, CCE, is the President and Chief Operating Officer of NACM/Chicago-Midwest and its operating affiliates in seventeen states. He has been with the National Association of Credit Management since 1999 and has been in the position of President since 2003. Under his direction, NACM/Chicago-Midwest has grown to the largest of the NACM affiliates. In his first few years with the Association, Lattanzio was able to return it to profitability; and, he continues to grow revenues and contain costs. Prior to this position, Lattanzio was the Corporate Credit Manager at Knaack Manufacturing Company in Crystal Lake, IL, where for seven years he was accountable for the credit and accounts receivable functions. Prior to Knaack, he worked in the credit departments for Scotsman Industries, Inc. and Union Oil Company of California. Lattanzio is a graduate of Bradley University in Peoria, IL. He currently serves as the Executive Vice President of the Commercial Law League of America.
Jenny Norris
Regional Director, East, Meridian Finance Group
Jenny Norris is Regional Director, East, of Meridian Finance Group, a company providing credit, insurance, and trade finance tools that companies use to expand their domestic and international sales. A graduate of the University of Connecticut (BS Finance) and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (MBA), Jenny has over 25 years of experience specializing in the field of international trade finance. Prior to joining Meridian Finance Group in 2013, Jenny worked at UPS Capital Business Credit, where for seventeen years she managed business development for the bank’s cross-border equipment loan programs in Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, and Turkey. Before UPS Capital, Jenny worked for Gerber Technology in their International Contracts Department. Jenny has served on the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) C4 Subcommittee (2020) and Broker Advisory Council (2020). She is active in the Connecticut Turnaround Management Association (CT TMA), as well as a current member of the Connecticut District Export Council (CT DEC) She has travelled extensively and is conversant in Polish and Spanish.
Since 1993 Meridian Finance Group has helped hundreds of exporters nationwide to use credit insurance and other trade finance tools to expand their international sales. Meridian has been recognized with the President’s “E” Award, four Ex-Im Bank Broker-of-the-Year awards, and Strategic Partner of the US Commercial Service. In 2017 Meridian joined forces with Texel Finance Limited, London. The group has offices in London, Singapore, Brussels, and in the US.
Carolyn Perkins, CCE
Credit Manager, Mickey Thompson Performance Tires
Caroline has been in the credit industry for 33 years. She has served as credit manager for Mickey Thompson Tires, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, for the past 30 years. She earned her CCE certification in 2012 from NACM and has participated in numerous credit interchange groups throughout the years. She is the winner of the “12th Man Award” in 2012 and the “Ironman Award” in 2014 from Mickey Thompson Tires. Caroline has been married to Steve for the past 35 years and together with their dog, Lucy, they make their home in Akron, Ohio. They enjoy spending time with their large extended families and are active in their church.
Brooke Rentschler
Credit Manager, Baker Specialty & Supply Co.
Brooke Rentschler is the Credit Manager at Baker Specialty & Supply Company, Inc. located in Logansport, Indiana. She has 18 years in accounting with the last 8 years in credit and collections with Baker Specialty. Brooke has an AA from Indiana University and a BS in Business Management from Indiana Wesleyan University.
Chris Ring
National Representative, NACM Secured Transaction Services
Chris Ring is the National Representative for NACM’s Secured Transaction Services and he specializes in assisting credit professionals secure their receivables using Mechanic’s Lien Laws and Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code. Chris consults with companies on a daily basis leading them to find the best way to use these credit tools to assure that they are in the best possible position to get paid. Since 2002, Chris has completed seminars on both Mechanic’s Liens and UCC Filings for companies, NACM Affiliate Credit Conferences, NACM Industry Credit Groups, CFDD Meetings and NACM’s Secured Transaction Services seminars. During Chris’ presentations, he demonstrates how to overcome objections from customers, sales reps and management to using these credit tools. Chris also actively solicits questions from attendees so all attendees can learn from the successes and struggles others have had while using these tools. In the end, Chris’ goal is to help you be the best credit professional you can be and have a little fun along the way.
Paula Slyder
Vice President, NACM Connect
Paula Slyder, Vice President of the Great Lakes Region of NACM Connect, began her career in 1972 at the Dayton Association of Credit Men, an NACM Affiliate, as a credit reporting processor. Taking advantage of every opportunity, she gained knowledge and experience in all areas of NACM which led to her promotion of Credit Reporting Manager. Her career continued through various NACM affiliate mergers and acquisitions. In 1994, she accepted the position of Interim President and in 2013, the Board of Directors selected Paula as the President of NACM Great Lakes Region. Her current job title, Vice President of Great Lakes Region, followed the merger with NACM Connect. In conjunction with her other responsibilities, she has obtained the Certified Group Administrator designation from the National Association of Credit Management in Baltimore, MD and is Group Administrator for several of NACM Connect’s Ohio groups. Outside the office, she is an active member of the National T.T.T. Society and the Dayton Women’s Group. She also enjoys spending time with her husband and 6 grandchildren.
Troy Wangen
Managing Director, Unclaimed Property, Baker Tilly US LLP
Troy Wangen is a Managing Director in the Unclaimed Property Practice at Baker Tilly’s Chicago office. He has extensive experience in unclaimed property consulting, specializing in the development of strategic defense for unclaimed property audits and voluntary disclosures, and the analysis, quantification, and mitigation of potential unclaimed property exposure.
Troy has served in numerous positions on the Board of Directors for the Unclaimed Property Professionals Organization (“UPPO”), including as President for the 2019/2020 fiscal year. Troy currently serves as a Non-Credit Board Member for Forius Business Credit Resources, Inc.
Troy has spoken for holder education seminars sponsored by UPPO, Lorman, the National Association of Credit Management, the American Payroll Association, the Chicago Bar Association, and other professional groups, while he also is the co-author of the article “The Massachusetts Abandoned Property Law: What CPAs need to know,” SumNews. Troy has presented on various topics at multiple UPPO Annual Conferences since 2015 and has also moderated multiple panels of state unclaimed property administrators, as well as facilitating industry breakout sessions.
