Commercial Collection Agencies of America has elected a new member to serve on its Board of Directors. Mr. Riley Pentecost of Cadex will serve as an at-large board member for a two-year term, alongside current Board members Alex Rosen of American Financial Management, Inc., Julie Haysley of Altus Commercial Receivables, Humberto Matz of Creditors Adjustment Bureau, Tom Claybaugh of Mountain States Commercial Credit Management, Inc., Steve Rauch of Rauch Milliken International, Stafford Thomas of Lyon Collection Services, Inc., Mariana Palladino of Altus Commercial Services and Paula Catalano of Brennan & Clark Ltd.

Mr. Pentecost is a key member of Cadex's leadership team since April 2021, overseeing global operations and driving the company's success. His leadership is instrumental in enhancing operational efficiency and positioning Cadex for continued success in an ever-evolving market.

The CCA of A Board meets monthly to handle the business of the Association as well as strategically plan for organizational and industry-related needs.

The Board directs its multiple committees to create key programming and education, to evaluate legislative needs and identify regulatory changes, to market agency and affiliate member services, to attract new members, to introduce cutting-edge technologies and services to its members, and to meet the needs of future leaders in the collection field.

Every initiative put forth by the Board and its committees is developed with the mission of the Association at the forefront: to elevate the standards and uphold the professionalism in the commercial collection industry for the benefit of protecting the credit granting community.

“Having Riley join the Board of Directors, is an opportunity for an enhanced focus by the Association to address the dynamic landscape of commercial collection agencies in the United States today. His insight and thought leadership will be welcomed and will complement the work of the current board members who expertly serve the industry,” stated Annette M. Waggoner, Executive Director.

Mark your calendars and keep an eye out for details and registration links on our Events page!

Episode #13 - January 23, 2026
Jeff E. Rubin, Esq., Talianoff Rubin & Rubin, P.A.
Episode #14 - February 12, 2026
Joseph M. Shur, Esq., Relin, Goldstein & Crane, LLP
Episode #15 - March 12, 2026
Brian M. Cloud, Cloud & Willis, LLC
Episode #16 - April 2, 2026
Vivian Hudson Uchitel, Vivian Hudson Uchitel Law LLC
Episode #17 - May, 2026
Burton “Chip” Stacy, Jr. SL Law Group, P.A. f/k/a Hood & Stacy, P.A.

Please register in advance for each Twenty Minute Talk using the link provided. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

The Best of the Best! Representatives of Commercial Collection Agencies of America gathered at the National Association of Credit Management Credit Congress to meet credit grantors and extol the benefits of the PREMIER certification that each earns every year. Well done, all!

Commercial Collection Agencies of America has announced that its President, Mr. Humberto Matz, has been appointed to the California Debt Collection Advisory Committee of the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation.

In May, Commissioner KC Mohseni appointed Matz and six others to the committee, whose purpose is to provide industry feedback to the department. As outlined by the DFPI, Matz and fellow appointees represent the debt collection, debt buying, third party collection and collection law industries and will serve two-year terms.

Matz, The Executive Vice President and Director of Operations of Creditors Adjustment Bureau in Sherman Oaks, California, oversees the operations of the collection, sales, administrative, and legal departments and has been with the firm over thirty-nine (39) years.

“I am honored to be appointed to the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation's debt panel advisory board. I look forward to contributing a unique dual perspective to the board's deliberations, drawing from my extensive experience managing operations within both a commercial collection agency and a commercial collection law firm. This dual vantage point will be particularly valuable as we navigate the evolving regulatory landscape, especially in light of SB1286's expansion of the Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to include commercial debt collection,” remarked Matz.

He continued, “I am committed to helping ensure that California's debt collection regulatory framework effectively protects consumers and small business debtors while maintaining fair and practical standards that allow legitimate collection activities to continue serving the state's credit economy. I look forward to working collaboratively with fellow panel members and DFPI staff to advance policies that promote ethical and responsible debt collection practices across California.”

Commercial Collection Agencies of America is an organization dedicated to elevating the standards of the commercial collection industry by offering the industry’s premier certification program for third-party commercial collection agencies in the United States. Amongst the program’s requirements is proper licensure and compliance with all federal, state and local regulations by each collection agency member. The Association exercises financial oversight of members, as each is audited on a regular basis to ensure compliance with the rigorous requirements of the program.

CCA of A often collaborates with state regulatory authorities, including those states that belong with NACARA-North American Collection Agency Regulatory Association, of which California is a member. CCA of A finds synergy with the DFPI’s mission that “through licensing, regulation, and oversight of businesses, the DFPI supports a healthy and trusted financial marketplace,” as outlined on the DFPI’s website.

Commercial Collection Agencies of America is proud to announce the appointment of Conrad Ragan to the Independent Standards Board effective immediately.

Ragan was recently approved by his Standards Board peers. “We are grateful that Conrad has joined the Board, which consists of accomplished business professionals who represent all facets of the accounts receivable management arena. Board members include collection agency principals, creditors’ rights attorneys, bankruptcy attorneys, business consultants, controllers, certified public accountants, credit managers, industry trade association officers and chief financial officers,” commented Christine Hickey, Chair of the Independent Standards Board.

The esteemed Board is charged with the creation, review and amendment of certification requirements which are met by each member agency to earn and maintain Commercial Collection Agencies of America’s Certificate of Accreditation and Compliance. The Board has created an unparalleled certification program, by promulgating rigorous requirements, making the program the platinum standard in the industry and recognized by credit grantors worldwide.

Ragan, a director with Alvarez & Marsal’s North American Commercial Restructuring practice, brings twenty (20) years of corporate credit and lending experience in both large corporate and large financial institutions. Prior to joining A&M, Mr. Ragan spent more than ten (10) years as a Director with PepsiCo, where he led PepsiCo’s corporate credit risk management team.

When asked about serving on the Board, Ragan commented, “I’m thrilled to join the Independent Standards Board and support its crucial work within the commercial collections industry. I look forward to contributing my experience to help uphold the high standards that guide the industry, and to collaborating with fellow leaders to drive excellence in commercial collections.”

Ragan also sits on the Board of Trustees of Credit Research Foundation, an organization which supports professionals in the Credit, Accounts Receivable and Revenue Cycle Management industry, and focuses on education. Both associations often collaborate through a Platinum Partnership. When learning about Ragan’s appointment, Matt Skudera, CRF’s President and Chief Operating Officer and Independent Standards Board Vice Chair commented, “Conrad brings to the Standards Board a unique background that weaves together both governance and operability as his business success has led large scale operations in the public domain. Conrad will quickly become a valued asset to the Standards Board with his insight and tenured experience driving a control environment that balances business needs and assurity of brand and client protection. “

To achieve its critical role, the Independent Standards Board meets virtually throughout the year and in person once per year.

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CCA of A recently attended the Fall Forum of Credit Research Foundation in Washington DC, October 21-23, 2024.

During the Forum, CCA of A’s certified agencies attended continuing education and participated in networking events.   

A special session featured former Congressman Phillip English and former Senator Byron Dorgan who offered a pre-election update for attendees, during which CCA of A’s Executive Director, Annette M. Waggoner asked the former lawmakers to share their thoughts on the impact of the tumultuous international landscape and the impact on the U.S. elections. 

At the Open Forum, CRF asked CCA of A to brief practitioners on California’s SB1286 which significantly expands the scope of the Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (RFDCPA).   Annette was pleased to have the opportunity to, once again, share some critical information for the credit industry. 

Commercial Collection Agencies of America is proud to be a Platinum Partner of the Credit Research Foundation and looks forward to working with CRF again in 2025.

Commercial Collection Agencies of America welcomed credit practitioners at this year’s Credit Research Foundation’s Expo and Forum in Nashville and provided them with the resourceful Credit Practitioners’ Guide to Commercial Collections.

As a Platinum Partner of CRF, CCA of A is happy to share its data analysis, trend reports and instructional information with CRF members.

Everyone was a winner at NACM Credit Congress this past week!  Our Credit Practitioners’ Guide to Commercial Collections, which includes new articles and reports, was well-received.

The definition of a true partnership is when people are willing to listen, exchange ideas and support one another in reaching their goals. Thank you to Credit Research Foundation and Matt Skudera for the opportunity to address the credit practitioner membership on the criticality of keeping current on pending legislation affecting the credit and collection industry.