Chairman's Message

I am honored to serve as your National Chairman and to be among what I consider to be the most dedicated members of our profession. I sincerely thank you for this opportunity. As I look out over the room, I see so many who have truly encouraged and sometimes pushed me along the way. I sincerely thank you! Without your friendship, mentoring and support over the years, I would not have been able to stand here before you today.

This all began for me 28 years ago (when I was 10). I worked as a PBX operator for an office supply company in Lincoln. After a very short time, our Credit Manager retired and they advised me that I would be moving into that position. I was in this position for a month or so when I received a call from someone asking me if I wanted to go to Omaha to a meeting. She continued calling me and would not give up. I finally gave in and attended my first CFDD meeting. I eventually accepted a job offer and moved to Omaha, where I starting attending meetings on a regular basis and found that I really enjoyed them. The person who was persistent in calling was Sharon Foster, who is a very dear friend of mine to this day.

I was not in a big hurry to take on a leadership role, but I soon was working my way up the chairs. At that time I did not see the importance of receiving my designation, and it was never really pushed. At the beginning I was only active at the local level, because I worked for a company that did not allow conference attendance. When I started with my current company, Carlson Systems 13 years ago, I began to attend CFDD Regional Conferences. My employer and I saw the great benefits of my attendance, so I have missed very few conferences since. It was from my desire to get involved and attendance at these conferences that I learned the importance of earning an NACM designation.

I now kick myself for this and I hope others learn from my mistakes. I am now in a position to take my CBF and have the roadmap points needed for my CCE. I had a personal goal to have my CCE by the time I was installed as your National Chairman. As you can see this did not happen, however, it will while I am Chairman.

The education I have received from CFDD is priceless as well as the personal and professional growth. I am committed to making sure that CFDD offers you the same opportunities that it has provided for me. You noticed that I said, offer you. You have to reach out and grab what is available to you. You will never experience the success that you can receive if you do not. I personally feel that my Mentors have guided me along. I hope that each and every one of you has a Mentor that will do the same.

I would like to thank my affiliate, NACM Midwest, for their support and also allowing me the opportunity to serve on their board of directors. This had given me additional insight into the NACM community and an even greater appreciation of our profession. This involvement continues to assist me in my professional growth. I also want to send a big thank you to my local CFDD chapter, Omaha-Lincoln, for the continued support as I have assumed greater leadership responsibilities. They have assisted me both emotionally and financially on my quest to National Chairman. I would also like to thank Carlson Systems for all of their financial support and the ability to attend the functions needed.

I can't encourage you enough to get involved with your CFDD Chapter and your NACM affiliate. I assure you, the time you invest will pave the way for your future success and your personal and professional growth. This leads me to my theme for the coming year which is "CFDD—Today's Investment, Tomorrow's Success."

For 83 years CFDD has and continues to offer its membership countless opportunities. All you have to do is reach out and take advantage of them. Each one of us must make the decision to become an involved, active member or just be another name on the roster. Will this be the year you choose to take advantage and invest in these opportunities? Allow the benefits of CFDD to assist you in reaching your goals and wonderful feelings of success.

It will be my honor to work with this dedicated Board and NACM National this year, and I pledge to you that we will always be here to assist you in any possible way. I also pledge that we will continue to work very hard to strengthen and improve the benefits of this wonderful organization for you, the membership.

Mary Moore, CBA
CFDD National Chairman

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National Association of Credit Management
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