News

The Debt Collectability Drop-off

Fri, 22 May 2026 15:15:00 GMT

It’s no surprise that the likelihood of recovering outstanding commercial debt declines as the debt ages. Data from the Commercial Law League of America demonstrates how quickly that drop-off occurs.

According to CLLA, the probability of recovering accounts falls from 94% at 30 days outstanding to 74% at 90 days, 58% at six months, 43% at nine months and a paltry 27% after one year.

This data highlights the importance of taking action early to increase the likelihood of collecting past-due accounts. To help members with this challenge, NACM North Central has partnered with NACM Southwest Commercial Collections Agency, giving members access to a reliable, effective tool to help recover their funds.

The agency is CLLA certified, requires no contracts, and collects nationwide and internationally. Best of all, fees remain within NACM, supporting the commercial credit profession through NACM’s many member benefits and programs.

Learn how we can help you take on the debt collectability drop-off problem.

Fresh Lineup, Fresh Location and Fresh Perspectives at Fresh Ground

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 15:41:00 GMT

On April 21, 2026, more than 150 commercial credit professionals gathered in Plymouth, Minnesota, for NACM North Central’s annual Fresh Ground Networking Breakfast. Association members who were unable to join us in the Twin Cities participated online.

Thanks to the support of featured sponsor UTA, this year’s event featured renowned speaker and fraud expert Frank Abagnale, an in-depth discussion about how fraud trends are affecting commercial credit departments, fun prize giveaways and a gourmet coffee bar. Fresh Ground took place at a new location, the Plymouth Community Center, a modern, multi-use facility that was the perfect environment for attendees to learn and connect with each other.

Abagnale shared his expertise on fraud trends and highlighted why fraud prevention is essential.

“Once you lose your money, you will probably never get your money back,” he said. “They may catch the person, they may convict the person, they may send them to jail for 10 years, but it is highly unlikely you'll ever recover your money. At the end of 2025, there was $110 billion of court-ordered restitution outstanding in federal, state, county and city courts. And of course, 91% of that money will never be collected.”

With the ever-increasing surge in artificial intelligence use, it’s no surprise that fraudsters are harnessing this technology for their scams. AI is revolutionizing fraud, and businesses are struggling to keep up.

“Verification is probably the most important word in the dictionary as we move forward with AI,” Abagnale said. “Verification must replace trust. Today, you absolutely, positively need to know who's on the other end of that device. before you part with any money or you part with any information. Is the document legitimate? Well, we deal with AI attackers today who don't need to steal a customer's ID. They can generate them.”

Abagnale discussed several trending fraud trends and tactics, including deep-fake AI credentials, stolen identities of children, social engineering using publicly available details posted on social media and more. He shared ways for individuals and businesses to protect themselves through real-world examples and surprising data.

In addition to the focus on fraud, NACM North Central recognized longtime member JoAnn Malz as she prepares for retirement. Throughout her career, Malz has never stopped learning, sharing her knowledge and giving back to the NACM community in a multitude of ways. When asked to stand if they had been positively impacted by JoAnn, nearly all attendees rose to their feet – a testament to her lasting impact. Malz helped lead interactive discussions among participants about how fraud affects them.

Attendees visited with NACM North Central sponsors, and many won fun prizes, including copies of Abagnale’s latest book, gift cards, an adult Lego set, a L'Occitane gift pack and more.

Thank you to our participants and sponsors – especially featured sponsor UTA – for making this year’s Fresh Ground event an overwhelming success.

Five Reasons to Choose NACM North Central’s Collection Service

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 18:24:00 GMT

Commercial credit managers seeking assistance with collecting difficult accounts have many options. The decision can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Following are five considerations that differentiate NACM North Central’s collection partner, NACM Southwest Commercial Collections Agency, from other services:

CLLA Certified: Certification by the Commercial Law League of America is the gold standard for ethical and effective debt recovery.
No Contracts: NACM Southwest Commercial Collections Agency is so confident that clients will be satisfied that they don’t require long-term commitments.
Nationwide Collections: When needed, NACM Southwest Commercial Collections Agency engages forwarding attorneys who subscribe to at least one law list registry. These registries provide the protection of a fidelity bond for clients.
International Capabilities: NACM Southwest Commercial Collections Agency has bilingual collectors on staff who speak French and Spanish. In addition to Mexico and Canada, they collect in more than 80 countries through our partnerships, including Japan, China, Taiwan, and most of Europe and South America.
Supports Your Profession: As part of the National Association of Credit Managers, the competitive fees paid to NACM Southwest Commercial Collections Agency help support NACM North Central member benefits and programs.

Learn more.

Customize Your New NACM Community Experience

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 17:57:00 GMT

Connecting with other credit professionals across the nation is easier than ever, thanks to NACM’s new online community. Participating in any new social platform can be intimidating, so here are a few quick tips to customize your experience:

Complete your profile. Adding a photo, bio and job history will help other members get to know you better.
Update your privacy settings. You control who can see your contact and other personal information – members only, the public or only you.
Personalize your community notifications. Decide how often you wish to receive notifications about activity in your subscribed community discussions, including daily or weekly consolidated digests.
Customize your email preferences. Designate which types of community emails you wish to receive.
Set up a discussion signature. Choose which personal details you’d like automatically included at the end of your community posts and comments.

The best way to get comfortable with the NACM Community is to spend a little time using it, viewing current discussions and, if you have something to add to the conversation, join in. We hope you enjoy this new member benefit.

Congratulations, Newly Credentialed Members

Wed, 4 Mar 2026 12:37:00 GMT

Three NACM North Central members recently earned NACM certification designations. Congratulations to them for their dedication and hard work.

Our Newest Credit Business Associates

Sarah Fanslow, Daikin Applied
Mariola Meraz, Daikin Applied
Esther Vazquez Toledo, Daikin Applied

Learn how NACM North Central can help you achieve your professional development goals.

NACM Begins Rollout of New Online Community

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 15:07:00 GMT

NACM recently began rolling out a new tool to help members connect, collaborate, and engage with fellow credit professionals year-round. The NACM Online Community was built with members in mind. Designed to strengthen the connections that make NACM valuable by giving members a dedicated space to continue conversations, exchange ideas and support one another beyond events and webinars.

Exchange practical insights and real-world solutions.
Stay informed on trends impacting credit and risk management.
Build relationships with peers across industries.

To get started, members can update their profile and join or start a discussion.

Over time, the community platform will expand to host a robust knowledge center filled with educational resources, including webinars, articles and white papers. An interactive job board is also in development, enabling members to discover relevant positions and network strategically.

The platform will also include the highly anticipated Mentor Match Program, an opportunity for members to deepen their involvement by becoming a mentor or a mentee, investing in the next generation of credit professionals.

With the addition of this feature-packed nationwide networking tool, NACM North Central plans to sunset our Member Forums in the coming months, along with our Career Center, following the launch of the interactive job board that will be part of the NACM Online Community.

Visit the NACM Online Community today to join the conversation and tap into your member network.

Shared Services and Credit Connection Groups Help Members Tap into Best Practices

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 14:42:00 GMT

No matter how experienced you are in commercial credit management, challenges abound, and learning better ways to do your job is always beneficial. One of the best ways to improve is to learn from others who have faced similar challenges. To help credit professionals connect with a network of business credit colleagues, NACM North Central has two specialty groups designed for sharing best practices: the Shared Services Group and the Credit Connection Group.

Participation in either group can you:

Learn best practices.
Expand your network and develop invaluable relationships.
Learn tips and tricks to work more efficiently and effectively.
Explore how other credit professionals are responding to common challenges.
Find the right metrics and tools to improve your company’s credit risk management.

“We may talk about general policy, what's going on in the economy, different solutions for automation, process improvement or just general process questions,” said longtime Shared Services Group member JoAnn Malz, CCE, ICCE, director of credit, collections and billing at The Imagine Group. “Someone may ask for ideas about how others have resolved a specific situation or improved customer responses in a certain scenario.”

The Shared Services Group meets in person six times annually, with a hybrid option available when needed. Membership is open to credit professionals from large/ enterprise-type organizations – often global – that manage multiple entities, have large credit departments and perhaps offshore some of their credit functions.

Because the Shared Services Group format has been so popular with its members, NACM North Central launched the Credit Connection Group in 2022, modeled after the Shared Services Group but open to credit managers from mid-market companies, rather than shared services environments. The Credit Connection Group also holds six in-person meetings annually, with a virtual option for participants outside of the Twin Cities metro area.

“We recently implemented an online credit application, and we were lucky enough that some of our peer group members in the Credit Connection Group had already gone through that same process of looking at different vendors and programs,” said Credit Connection Group member Guy Meyers, national credit manager at Insulation Distributors Inc. “Several of them had positive experiences with the same vendor and program. Ultimately, we signed a contract with the same company. Having that network and being able to benefit from their feedback and their experience, having gone through the same process, navigating similar issues with a similar customer base and similar economic pressures, is invaluable.”

When California enacted a new law that could affect credit departments, Malz first learned about it through the Shared Services Group.

“During one of our meetings, a member raised the question of how others were responding to the potential effects of this new law,” she said. “Having not heard about it previously, I immediately jotted down a note and, upon returning to the office, researched it and ran it by our legal team so we could get an opinion about how we should respond. I've been part of this group for many years, and there has not been a single meeting that I haven't walked away from where I did not learn something new.”

To learn more about becoming a member of either group, contact Jennifer Johnson at jjohnson@nacmnc.com or (763) 253-4332.

“Even if you’re not ready or able to join a group, it's a huge benefit just to come to a couple NACM North Central events for the sole purpose of networking,” Meyers said. “Making those contacts and having the ability to tap into insights from other credit professionals and benchmark is a huge advantage.”

Now Available: Collection Services from NACM Southwest

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 16:04:00 GMT

NACM North Central is pleased to announce a new partnership with NACM Southwest to offer quality collection services. Experienced collection professionals from NACM Southwest Commercial Collections Agency are dedicated to serving as an extension of members’ credit departments, working with customers collect quickly and fairly.

NACM Southwest’s collection process begins with a 10-day free demand service. If the account remains unpaid and is placed for collection, professional collection agents make personal contact with debtors to achieve payment in full through firm, but fair, communication. If necessary, NACM Southwest can tap into its network of bonded attorneys for collection litigation after all other collection possibilities have been exhausted.

Collection fees are competitive, and stay within the NACM family, helping to fund the association initiatives that help you and other NACM members thrive.

Learn more and get started today.

Meet us in St. Louis for Credit Congress 2026

Sun, 26 Oct 2025 20:02:00 GMT

Registration is now open for NACM’s Credit Congress 2026 at America’s Center Convention Complex in St. Louis between June 7-10, 2026. NACM’s premier event features more than 70 educational sessions ranging from basic credit fundamentals to in-depth advanced subjects, covering:

Business skills
Construction credit
Executive leadership
Financial analysis
International credit
Legal environment
Special topics
Technology and credit

Register by Dec. 5, 2025, for early-bird savings. Member companies sending five or more delegates qualify for a team discount, and delegates can bring a first-time attendee from their company for just $299 (early-bird).

Get complete details and register today.

White Paper Highlights Credit’s Digital Era

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 19:42:00 GMT

NACM and Nuvo recently published 2025 B2B Credit Insights: Data-Driven Decisions in a Digitized Era. The new white paper highlights key priorities, challenges and innovations shaping the credit landscape, from onboarding and fraud prevention to credit reviews and AI adoption. It serves as a guide for how credit teams can balance speed, accuracy and security in an increasingly digital B2B environment.

Based on recent research, the white paper includes several key findings:

The top priority for credit managers in 2025 is conducting more rigorous credit reviews (17%), followed closely by digital onboarding and new underwriting insights (15%).
Bank and trade reference delays remain the biggest blockers to faster credit approvals.
Credit teams are increasingly relying on fraud detection tools, with over 59% using government identity verification.
44% of credit professionals say their credit evaluation process is at least partially digitized, with many seeking full automation.
AI is emerging. Over 62% of respondents have either fully or partially adopted AI into their credit decision-making process.

View the white paper.

Fall Forum Examines Recent Economic Ups and Downs

Sun, 28 Sep 2025 23:51:00 GMT

With the topsy-turvy state of the economy, credit professionals gathered at NACM North Central’s Fall Forum Networking Breakfast on Sept. 23, 2025, to hear from NACM economic adviser Amy Crews Cutts, PhD., CBE.

During her discussion at Cedarholm Golf Course in Roseville, Minnesota, she shared both positive and worrying details about the economic outlook. While most economic forecasts do not anticipate a recession in the next 12 months, inflation remains a persistent problem, with costs continuing to rise and consumer sentiment declining. The labor market has been relatively stable, but growth is slowing, and hiring has slowed.

The effects of new tariffs remain to be seen. Recent data – gross domestic product, inflation, employment, spending and inventories – are from before tariffs took effect. Surveys and interviews with business owners and credit managers tell a different story, however, suggesting rough months ahead, according to Cutts.

In addition to the insightful economic update, attendees received a report on recent and upcoming NACM North Central activities from NACM North Central Board Chair Karrie Lynch, recognized newly credentialed members, and participated in deep-dive discussions about how economic trends are affecting the manufacturing, distribution services and international sectors.

Thank you to attendees, speakers and sponsors for making this year’s Fall Forum a success.

NACM Affiliates Announce Credit Professionals Compensation Survey

Sun, 28 Sep 2025 13:58:00 GMT

NACM North Central and NACM's other affiliates will soon launch a nationwide Credit Professionals Compensation Survey. This research will benchmark compensation details for each credit department position. Questions will include health insurance, time off, saving plans, the impact of the value of professional designations and emerging trends in credit department hiring.

Due to the highly sensitive nature of the data, NACM is working with HR Source, a firm specializing in secure compensation surveys, to conduct and compile the survey.

Please watch your email on Oct. 14 for an invitation from HR Source. The survey will close in November, after which results will be compiled for distribution in January 2026. All participating NACM members will receive a complimentary copy of the report.

We urge you to participate in this vital research.

Congratulations, Newly Credentialed Members

Sun, 24 Aug 2025 23:11:00 GMT

Nine NACM North Central members earned NACM certification designations this summer. Congratulations to each of them for their dedication and hard work.

Our Newest Credit Business Associates
Mizraim Avila, Daikin Applied
Adriana Fox, Amesbury Truth
Julio Gonzalez, Daikin Applied
Angela Keay, Daikin Applied
Claudia Monsivais, Daikin Applied
Wendy Nelson, Inspire Medical Systems
Tamma Simpson, The Imagine Group LLC
Tami Vitales, The Imagine Group LLC

Our Newest Certified Business Fellow
Kate Perschau, Michael Foods, Inc.

Learn how NACM North Central can help you achieve your professional development goals. The next Business Credit Principles class – the first step toward achieving a CBA designation – begins on Sept. 8. Learn more and register today.

Taking the First Steps on an Educational Journey

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 22:03:00 GMT

After 15 years of working in the credit industry, Tami Vitales, CBA, credit analyst at the Imagine Group in Shakopee, Minnesota, decided to pursue her Credit Business Associate (CBA) designation. Her story exemplifies how continued education through NACM and FCIB’s six Professional Certification Programs is an invaluable resource to credit professionals, regardless of how long they’ve worked in credit.

“I wanted to grow my knowledge and pursue additional education opportunities,” Vitales said. “Even though I’ve worked in credit for years, I was able to learn a lot more about the specifics of credit policies and financial statements.”

Earning your first designation is a big step, with many taking classes for the first time in years. Getting back into the swing of learning can seem intimidating, but the opportunity to immerse yourself in the many intricacies of business credit should not be passed up. Many designation-seekers find that the supportive environment dissuades their fears and rekindles a love of learning.

“The journey was a bit more challenging than I expected, it’s been a while since I was in classes,” Vitales said. “But the instructors were amazing and so helpful, they really prepared us well for each test and the final exam.”

Continued education is key to the professional development of credit professionals, especially as the ever-changing nature of the field asks that credit managers be dynamic as each day’s work is unique.

For Vitales, earning her CBA is only the first step in her educational journey, as she plans to pursue her Credit Business Fellow (CBF) designation next. “My favorite parts were finding out how well the studying paid off, it kept me going,” said Vitales. “It may sound like a lot of time and work, but it is absolutely an amazing feeling when it’s over and you have accomplished this certification.”

Credit professionals pursuing the Credit Business Associate (CBA) designation complete the Credit Administrative Program, which includes Business Credit Principles, Basic Financial Accounting, and Financial Statement Analysis courses, as well as an exam.

Courses through NACM North Central begin in September, and NACM scholarships are available. Enrollment is now open for Business Credit Principles, so register today.

Learn more or contact Lisa Grabau at lgrabau@nacmnc.com or (763) 253-4338 for additional information.

Setting Your Career on the Right Track with Professional Certifications

Sat, 26 Jul 2025 15:54:00 GMT

There are many benefits to pursuing a designation through each of NACM’s Professional Certification Programs. For Jen Turchin, CBA, AR/AP specialist for Northern Pipe Products in Fargo, North Dakota, earning her Credit Business Associate (CBA) designation brought a newfound confidence and a higher level of expertise in the business credit field.

Pursuing additional, credit-specific education can improve every facet of your performance. Deepening your understanding of the principles of business credit while honing your analysis skills can make your day-to-day work as a credit manager easier.

“I feel the value comes through especially when I am doing credit references for our customers,” Turchin said. “The CBA shows that I have the knowledge needed to assess those reference questions and our customers can feel more secure relying on us. My career is on track with an upward trajectory.”

Continued education not only improves your personal performance but also allows you to contribute more to your credit team and your company.

“The certification program is a great incentive to boost your knowledge and credentials while benefiting both you and your employer,” Turchin said. “Educating yourself is only adding to your growth as an employee and a person. Furthering your education is beneficial in so many positive ways. It is vital in keeping us current with the constantly changing world.”

Challenging yourself to pursue and earn a designation can help you gain confidence as you grow in the business credit profession.

“After hearing I passed I was so relieved and having the designation after my name gave me so much pride in my accomplishment,” Turchin said. “I then felt silly having had so much anxiety about passing.”

Credit professionals pursuing the Credit Business Associate (CBA) designation complete the Credit Administrative Program, which includes Business Credit Principles, Basic Financial Accounting, and Financial Statement Analysis courses, as well as an exam.

Courses through NACM North Central begin in September, and NACM scholarships are available. Enrollment is now open for Business Credit Principles, so register today.

Learn more or contact Lisa Grabau at lgrabau@nacmnc.com or (763) 253-4338 for additional information.

NACM North Central Helps Sculpture Garden Shine

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 14:40:00 GMT

A contingent of NACM North Central staff and members helped spruce up the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden on June 12 for our annual community event. It was a privilege to help maintain one of our city’s favorite destinations in its best condition. Thanks to all our volunteers for their assistance with mulching, weeding and raking.

Members Shine at Credit Congress

Tue, 27 May 2025 22:22:00 GMT

More than 40 members from the NACM North Central region joined credit managers from across the nation in Cleveland for NACM’s 129th Credit Congress & Expo on May 18-21, 2025. Credit Congress featured dozens of educational sessions, networking events and opportunities to connect with sponsors and service providers.

Longtime NACM North Central member JoAnn Malz, CCE, ICCE, received the Credit Executive of Distinction Award.

“I think of this award as a shareable award, earned through all the education and support over the years from my family, peers, friends, mentors, mentees, teams, companies I have worked for, and business partners,” Malz shared in a LinkedIn post shortly after receiving the award. “My heart is filled with gratitude.”

Three members who participate in NACM North Central managed industry credit groups also received honors. Dallas Kleiboeker won the Emerging Leader Award, Jason Mott, CCE, received the CCE Designation of Excellence Award and Heather Re-DeGunia received the CCRA Designation of Excellence Award.

Congratulations to the award winners, and thank you to the members who attended, especially our 13 first-time attendees. We hope to see you again at next year’s Credit Congress in St. Louis.

Next-Level Career Development with GSCFM

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 16:19:00 GMT

Continuous education and ongoing development are valuable tools for professionals and their employers alike. According to LinkedIn’s 2025 Workplace Learning Report, 84% of responding employees said continuous learning adds purpose to their work, and 68% said learning helps them adapt during times of change.

Several years into his role managing credit at Quality Bicycle Products, Mike Barnidge was interested in taking his knowledge and career to the next level. After exploring credit-focused professional development opportunities, he enrolled in NACM’s Graduate School of Credit & Financial Management.

“Other certifications weren’t as robust as I felt I needed, Barnidge said. “I wanted something that would make me more of a well-rounded leader in the credit space. I was especially interested in the processes and methodologies of reviewing financial statements with a credit lens and picking up best practices.”

GSCFM is a hybrid professional development program that includes two live, online courses and two in-person courses. Curriculum focuses on:

Advanced Financial Statement Analysis
Legal Environment of Credit
Advanced Negotiations
Leadership

Participating in the program exceeded Barnidge’s expectations.

“I was really focused on the financial side of the program when I began,” he said. “I wasn't thinking as much about the leadership training that was taking place there, too. The program helped me realize there were leadership skills I needed to work on and develop, which was a great benefit that I hadn’t considered.”

Barnidge completed the program and subsequently passed NACM’s Certified Credit Executive in 2020, earning his CCE designation. Five years later, his participation continues to pay off via his professional connections with other GSCFM students.

“I still talk to some of the individuals who were in the class with me,” he said. “I value the ability to call up some of my peers and say, ‘Hey, I know we're in different industries, but I've got this thing happening right now. Here's what I'm thinking about it. What are your thoughts?’ As a credit manager, you get into situations where you’re trying to navigate how to deal with something, and having somebody to brainstorm with is helpful.”

Learn more about NACM’s Graduate School of Credit and Financial Management, including scholarship assistance.

Credit Pros Discuss Solutions for Common Challenges at Fresh Ground

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 00:32:00 GMT

On April 22, 2025, commercial credit professionals gathered at the West End Conference Center in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, for NACM North Central’s annual Fresh Ground Networking Breakfast. This year’s event was designed to help attendees build connections and solve everyday challenges. JoAnn Malz, CCE, CICP, ICCE, facilitated small-group discussions about fraud, bankruptcies, AI/automation tools, surcharging, vendor forms and purchase orders overriding terms.

In addition to these interactive, solution-focused discussions, 2024/25 Board Chair Michelle Ochetti announced this year’s Credit Executive of the Year, Kelsey Grinsteiner from Central Boiler in Greenbush, Minnesota.

Kelsey leads a credit team with a focus on respect, accuracy and customer service. She strengthens client relationships to improve trust and cash flow. She is an active NACM member and routinely attends Credit Congress. Kelsey loves to share credit management insights with her dealers and industry peers and supports ongoing education for her team’s success.

Attendees also recognized JoAnn Malz, who will receive NACM National’s Credit Executive of Distinction Award at Credit Congress in May.

Thank you to attendees and sponsors for making this year’s Fresh Ground event such a success.

NACM’s CMI Paints Pessimistic Economic Outlook

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 22:17:00 GMT

NACM’s Credit Manger’s Index has been a leading economic indicator for more than 20 years, raising awareness about potential economic upheaval before many other indicators. Today, the CMI is providing insight into the current economy’s chaos.

In an April 16, 2025, Investopedia article, NACM economist Amy Crews Cutts shares a pessimistic outlook based, in part on CMI survey responses from credit managers.

“Cutts was especially alarmed by remarks managers made in the open comment section of the survey, indicating they had seen an uptick in small businesses simply closing shop without declaring bankruptcy,” the article said.

To participate in the CMI survey, NACM members can sign up to receive monthly CMI survey participation email alerts or add calendar reminders to their calendars on the CMI page. Responding to the monthly survey takes only about five minutes and requires absolutely no math. The survey consists of 12 credit indicators – number of new credit applications, number of disputes, dollar amount of receivables beyond terms – each with the choices: “higher than a month ago,” “same as a month ago” and “lower than a month ago.”

Read the Investopedia article.

Welcome Our Newest Sponsor, NetNow

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 12:29:00 GMT

NACM North Central is pleased to welcome NetNow as our newest sponsor. NetNow is a leading digital credit management platform, helping wholesalers and distributors streamline their credit process through digital applications, advanced fraud checks, automated trade and bank references, and continued risk monitoring. NetNow’s platform is fully customizable and integrates with ERP systems, CRMs and credit bureaus. Boost your sales and onboard customers in net speed with NetNow.

Learn more at NetNow.io.

NACM North Central Helps Local Charities

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 13:16:00 GMT

On Nov. 18, 2024, the NACM North Central staff held its annual fall charity event in support of two great causes, and they were joined by several association members. The group made sandwiches for The Sandwich Project of Minnesota to distribute to members of our community challenged by food insecurity and fleece tie blankets to donate to Kids in Need Foundation. Thank you to everyone who joined us to support these outstanding community organizations.

Joe Fischer Receives James A. McIntryre Mentoring Award

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 22:24:00 GMT

Each year, NACM North Central recognizes an individual who carries on the association’s rich tradition of mentoring others within the credit profession with the James A. McIntyre Mentoring Award.

The award is named in honor of Jim McIntyre, CCE, whose dedication and enthusiasm for sharing knowledge and helping others have enriched many lives. It has set the gold standard for mentoring within NACM North Central and throughout NACM nationwide.

Anyone within the association may nominate candidates, and previous award winners select the recipients.

This year’s winner, announced at NACM North Central’s Fall Forum Networking Breakfast on Oct. 22, 2024, is Joe Fischer from Insulation Distributors.

Joe is actively involved in NACM. He participates nationally and in the Credit Connection Group. Perhaps most importantly, he has successfully gotten other credit professionals from the next generation involved as well. He encourages his team to join and participate in NACM events, all while preparing them for advancement. He has been mentoring and succession planning to future-proof not only his department but his company. Joe is truly dedicated to making a difference in the credit profession.

Congratulations, Joe, for this well-deserved honor.

Fall Forum Explores the Economic Outlook and Recognizes Credential Recipients

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 22:22:00 GMT

On Oct. 22, 2024, credit professionals gathered at the Minnesota Humanities Center in St. Paul, Minnesota, for the annual NACM North Central Fall Forum Networking Breakfast.

The event featured keynote speaker Amy Crews Cutts, PhD., CBE, economic adviser for NACM. She shared an economic outlook in light of the upcoming election, the Fed’s latest activity, recent natural disasters and other factors.

“There is considerable risk present in the economy,” she said. “Many consumers and businesses are struggling. A soft landing only means recession, by strict definition, has not happened – not that every part of the economy is strong.”

In addition to the insightful economic update, attendees received a report on recent and upcoming NACM North Central activities from NACM North Central Board First Vice Chair Karrie Lynch. She discussed new events aimed at building community within the association and a membership-building initiative aimed at engaging younger generations, creating more value and growing community. This project also includes NACM National and three other affiliates.

“The NACM regional affiliates are working together more closely,” Lynch said. “Knowing we are stronger together, we have partnered to enhance our educational offerings with things like our Credit 101 Series, which is great for onboarding new hires.”

JoAnn Malz, CCE, CICP, ICCE, board chair of NACM National, recognized 12 NACM North Central members who earned NACM credentials in the past year:

Credit Business Associate recipients: Amanda Burr, Heidi DuBois, Dan Erickson, Chelsea Hirn, John Liming, Carson Prestegard, Christopher Retterath, Cody Shoemaker and Athena Smith.
Certified Business Fellow recipients: Melissa Isaak, Michelle Ochetti and Jon Ulrich.

“NACM North Central has a rich history of ranking near the top when it comes to the number of credentialed members among us,” Malz said. “These credit professionals have worked hard and earned credentials by passing their exams between November 2023 and July 2024.”

Thank you to attendees, speakers and sponsors for making this year’s Fall Forum a success.

May Brings New Location, New Board Leaders and New President

Tue, 28 May 2024 20:16:00 GMT

May has been a month of big changes for NACM North Central. The association staff moved to a new office, welcomed new board members and completed the transition to a new president.

New Office
NACM North Central recently moved to a new office. Please update your records to reflect our new location at 600 Hwy. 169 S., Suite 1101, St. Louis Park, MN 55426. We look forward to welcoming members to our new office for credit group meetings, educational events and networking activities.

New Leaders
The association’s board welcomed new leaders for 2024/25: Michelle Ochetti, chair; Karrie Lynch, first vice chair; Bonnie Halvorson, second vice chair; and Craig Pluff, councilor. Congratulations to these officers on their new roles, and thank you for your leadership throughout the next 12 months.

New President
Following Toni Nuernberg's retirement, Tanya Guy has been named NACM North Central president. Tanya is a veteran staff member who joined the organization’s education department in 1990. She has served in several roles during her career, most recently as vice president.

“I’m grateful for the guidance and leadership provided by Don Mosher and Toni Nuernberg during my career at NACM North Central, which has prepared me for my new role,” she said. “I’m excited to lead our talented team of staff members and thank them for their support during our leadership transition. Above all, I’m excited to continue serving all of our members and working with other NACM affiliates on a coordinated effort to help ensure a strong future for the association.”