This is your seat at the table.
The Consumer Relations Consortium is a membership group for forward-thinking organizations that wish to influence the direction of collections compliance, legal strategy, and regulatory policy.
- Practical Collaboration
The CRC creates the conditions for collaboration among industry stakeholders to advance reform and best practices that are practical, and enhance the consumer experience.
- Proactive Outreach
The CRC takes the unique approach of proactive outreach to consumer groups. We engage in high-quality dialogue to get beyond talking points and bridge the gap of understanding between consumers and collectors, and to give regulators the benefit of hearing this in-depth discussion.
- Progressive Members
The CRC attracts progressive accounts receivable organizations with revenues of at least $10 million; creditors who seek a space to delve deeply into the compliance and regulatory issues associated with collections and agency management; and technology firms that are prepared to engage at the senior executive level (non-sales) to advance collaborative solutions for the industry.
CRC member organizations have a considerable impact on the consumer debt space. Collectively, we represent or serve the largest U.S. financial institutions and consumer lenders, healthcare organizations, telecom providers, and other creditors. We are on the front lines of consumer communication, initiating millions of contacts every month.
As usual, last week’s meeting lived up to its great reputation. This is a very tight, well-informed group, willing to share information and work together to truly impact our industry. The group's size keeps it nimble, and frequent interactions with regulators enable members to propose actual solutions to shared concerns. This is what keeps my organization involved and coming back!
Trudy Weiss Craig - General Counsel, Unifund CCR
Year after year, I’ve found the CRC meetings in Washington, D.C. to be a great investment of my time. I really appreciate the direct engagement with regulators, as well as the friendships I’ve developed with the leadership of other large market participant companies. I sincerely appreciate all you’ve done to keep the content of these meetings meaningful.
Eric Pittman - President, Vital Solutions Inc.
It was fantastic to be back. Having been away from the CRC for a period of time, I was struck by both the growth of the group, and the level of engagement. The increase in membership is impressive, yet the CRC has maintained its identity as a grassroots organization of people and companies committed to dialog on the issues that matter to all participants – agencies, tech companies, debt buyers, attorneys, and most importantly, consumers.
Tim Stapleford - President & CEO, Spring Oaks Capital
How We Operate
In-person Meetings
Members meet 3 times/year in Washington, D.C. to engage with external stakeholders and to engage in working sessions that advance member companies and the industry.
2021 schedule:
March 22-23 (virtual)
August 11-12 (in-person)
Nov. 10-11 (in-person)
Steering Committee
The steering committee meets on a weekly basis to provide input regarding outreach to consumer groups and regulators, and to discuss research and proposals regarding relevant legal and compliance matters.
Working Groups
Focused working groups come together as needed to advance our various initiatives such as data privacy or our commenting on proposed federal or state regulation.
Peer Groups
These functional groups meet regularly to build relationships and share current challenges:
- CEOs/presidents
- IT leaders
- Sales leaders
Engagement with Regulators
Ongoing engagement with state and federal regulators allow us to provide perspective, expertise, and specific/practical recommendations for further consideration or implementation.
Engagement with consumer groups
Ongoing engagement with consumer groups and others help us to encourage a deeper mutual understanding and to create the conditions for productive discussion and compromise.
- Leadership
A Regulatory Steering Committee guides the advocacy vision and actions of the CRC
Committee Members:
Andy Balthaser - Alorica
John Bedard - The Bedard Law Group
Lance Black - Radius Global Solutions
Tim Bauer - DCM Services
Leslie Bender - ClarkHill
Andrew Blady – Spring Oaks Capital
Trudy Weiss Craig - Unifund
Amir Erez - Cedar Financial
Shelly Gensmer - ERC
Stefanie Jackman - Ballard Spahr
Jessica Kagansky - Crown Asset Management
Kelly Knepper-Stephens - True Accord
Michael Kraft - The CCS Companies
Ralph Liberio - NCB Management Services
Michael Meyer - MRS BPO
Joann Needleman - ClarkHill
Robert Obringer - Phillips & Cohen Assoc.
John K. Rossman – Moss & Barnett
Lori Vanderpool - T-Mobile
Steve Wilansky - Attunely
Chair:
Missy Meggison - The iA Institute
CRC meetings are engaging and interactive working sessions
If you want parties, head to Vegas. If you want to work with forward-thinking peers to advance the industry, come to Washington.
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