Join Us This Year
At Bellagio Las Vegas
April 2 – 4, 2024
Room Block Rate $179/night + tax/resort fee. BOOK HERE

About NCUCA

 

Mission Statement

To be a premier credit union industry organization providing information
on up to date credit union related issues. We will be sharing best practices, facilitating communication and networking nationwide.

Pre-Conference TopGolf Event

April 2, 2024

Testimonials

NCUCA Concept

Learn from credit union experts regarding topics such as:

  • Management
  • Risk Management
  • Collections
  • Recovery
  • Litigation
  • Bankruptcy
  • CFPB Matters
  • Skip-Tracing
  • Industry Best Practices
  • Networking

NCUCA is Presented by

  • Los Angeles Federal Credit Union
  • Vantage West Credit Union
  • Alta Vista Credit Union
  • FirstCity Credit Union
  • Credit Union of Southern California
  • Texas Bay Credit Union
  • California Credit Union
  • Sooper Credit Union

NCUCA Board Members

Art Sookazian
President

Los Angeles Federal Credit Union
Glendale, CA

Rudy Martin
Vice President

First City Credit Union
Los Angeles, CA

Benjamin Lopez
Treasurer

Alta Vista Credit Union
Redlands, CA

Jade Oesterle
Marketing & Event Director

Vantage West Credit Union
Tucson, AZ

Carolyn Rivera
Secretary

Texas Bay Credit Union
Houston, TX

Alexander Rodriguez
Vendor Relations Director

Credit Union of Southern California
Anaheim Hills, CA

Danny Pak
Director

California Credit Union
Glendale, CA

Andrew Villarreal
Director

Sooper Credit Union
Arvada, CO

Beverly Fritton
Speakers Director

Silver State Schools (retired)
Green Valley, AZ

Expand your credit union collections network
to include nationwide peer credit unions

Presented By

Texas Bay Credit Union
First City Credit Union
Vantage West Credit Union
CUSC
California Credit Union
Sooper Credit Union

Returning to the NCUCA Conference:

The Roundtables

What are the Roundtables?

The Roundtables are back and will provide attendees a more intimate setting in which to get to know some of our industry experts. The format will consist of a number of concurrent roundtables each with an industry expert and a specific topic. Attendees will choose what table to start at and after 30 minutes, the attendees will rotate to their next table. The rotations will continue each 30 minutes for the duration of the 1.5 hour event. You will be able to catch 3 sessions in total so pick your top 3 sessions, and have 3 back ups just in case they are full!

How does it work?

  • Attendees get 3 roundtable sessions with industry experts.
  • Sessions rotate every 30 minutes
  • 10 seats at a table (including speaker(s))
  • Tables assigned by “First Come First Serve” basis

Interested in becoming a Speaker for the 2024 conference?

Power User Sessions

Learn tips and tricks to maintaining a productive collections program at one of our many power user sessions typically led by the vendor company. This user session will explore best practices and latest releases/enhancements.

  • Collections using the Symitar Episys Core – Mike Schatzman, Technology Systems Solutions
  • Optimize Your Strategy: Boosting Early-Stage Collections for Maximum Impact! – Kevin Barth, AKUVO
  • Meridian Link: latest releases, functionality, and best practices – by Meridian Link
  • Strategic direction of the Temenos Collection Module – by Kris Frantzen, Temenos
  • FIntegrate: Increasing efficiency in collections through automation with anticipated surges in delinquencies and loan losses – by FIntegrate Technology

Roundtable Session Topics

  • See How Text Messaging Can Help Your Loan Servicing – Jenn Quinn, Eltropy
  • Consumer Collection Litigation Update – Karel Rocha, Prenovost, Normandin, Dawe, & Rocha
  • Chris Otey, Credit Union 2.0
  • Leading with Empathy: A Blueprint for Modern Collections – Amir Tajkarimi, Lexop
  • Common Challenges of Working From Home – Ann Johnson, Silver State Schools Credit Union
  • 3 Topics (see below) – Peter Duffy, Piper Sandler & Co.
    • How Mergers of Banks Differ From Mergers of Credit Unions and why you should care.
    • Credit Union Partnerships With FinTech Companies- what’s the big deal?
    • “Everything Is on The Table”
  • Real Estate Trends – Jonathan A. Malek, Esq, RE/MAX ONE
  • Navigating the Selection Process: Criteria for Choosing Collection Agencies in Credit Unions – Susan Richards, CredTech Consulting LLC
  • Regulatory Review of GAP Cancellations – Tyler Gray, Lender Compliance Technologies
  • Handling Commercial Loan Defaults – from Work Out to Judgment – Michael J. Dougherty, Weltman
  • Develop Auto Lending Strategies To Survive an Economic Recession – Courtney Collier, Open Lending

Agenda

NCUCA Speakers

Anne Petros

Keynote Speaker

Ann Petros / Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, America’s Credit Unions

Ann Petros joined the credit union industry in 2016 and continues to serve the industry at America’s Credit Unions. As the Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, Petros oversees advocacy to federal agencies, including the NCUA, CFPB, and the Federal Housing Finance Agency, and also launched and hosts The Credit Union Policy Podcast (The CUPP). Previously, Petros worked at a law firm focusing on complex commercial litigation. Petros is a George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School graduate and holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Florida State University. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science from Binghamton University. Petros is a member of the Virginia State Bar, and is active in the Young Lawyers Division of the Virginia Bar Association and the American Bar Association.

Peter Duffy

Keynote Speaker

Peter Duffy / Managing Director – Fixed Income Sales, Piper Sandler & Co.

Peter Duffy is a managing director in the financial services group at Piper Sandler. Duffy works with senior management and boards of credit unions to develop strategies for growth, fintech partnerships, earnings and balance sheet development. His strategic considerations include capital raising and mergers and acquisitions.

Previously, Duffy was a managing director of Sandler O’Neill + Partners, L.P. He joined the firm in 2004 as an associate director and moved to the managing director position in 2006.

Duffy is a 1977 graduate of Texas Christian University with a bachelor’s degree in business management.

Tony Boutelle

Keynote Speaker

Tony Boutelle / President & CEO, Origence

Tony Boutelle is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Origence. Tony has more than 30 years of credit union industry experience, beginning his career at the Colorado Credit Union League in 1985. He continued his career at the California Credit Union League in the beginning of 1987 and moved to CUNA Mutual Group in 1991, and he held executive positions at both companies. He returned to the California Credit Union League in 1994 to start CU Direct Corporation—now Origence. He has built the network to include 1,100 credit unions that represent 64 million members and 20,000 auto dealers. Under Tony’s leadership, the company has grown into the nation’s leading lending technology solutions and services provider for credit unions. Tony has successfully expanded the organization to include products such as Origence arc OS (origination system), arc DX (digital experience), arc MX (marketing experience), and CUDL Indirect Lending. In 2023, Origence helped credit unions fund $59 billion in new loans and over $551 billion since the company’s inception. Tony has served on several industry and charitable Boards over his career and most recently served on the Children’s Hospital Orange County (CHOC) Foundation Board. Tony graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor of Business Administration. 

Ashish Garg

Ashish Garg / Founder & CEO, Eltropy

After earning an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, Ashish spent his early career in high-tech. As a Product Manager defining and evangelizing new products, Ashish saw firsthand the changes that the latest technologies, such as Messaging, were bringing to the enterprise. He founded Eltropy with the vision of applying machine learning/AI techniques to enterprise processes to dramatically improve efficiency and customer engagement.

Jenn Quinn

Jenn Quinn / Customer Success Manager, Eltropy

Jenn Quinn has been working with banks and credit unions for more than 15 years building relationships of trust and solving existing pain points. She believes in providing quality leadership for the design and execution of product implementations. Her areas of expertise include the financial services industry, servicing and the mortgage industry.

Jenn joined Eltropy, a SaaS organization, as a customer success manager to build relationships with Credit Unions utilizing the Eltropy platform which includes secure and compliant Text, Video, Audio, Secure Chat and Social Messaging channels.

Jenn is passionate about partnering with clients to understand their expectations and providing the best customer experience. This includes overseeing client onboarding, providing analytics and incorporating feedback into Eltropy.

Teamwork, dependability and positive attitude are why clients both internally and externally enjoy working with her. Jenn believes a collaborative journey throughout the relationship.

Eltropy integrates with IT systems including Symitar, MeridianLink and Corelation.

Art Sookazian / President of National Credit Union Collections Alliance (NCUCA)

Art Sookazian serves as the Vice President of Special Services and Risk Management for Los Angeles Federal Credit Union (LAFCU). In addition, he is the President of the National Credit Union Collections Alliance (NCUCA). The NCUCA is a nationwide collections organization for credit unions providing networking, best practices, and educational services. He oversees collections, recoveries, litigation, repossessions, and remarketing at LAFCU. He has twenty years of experience in collections at both captive finance and credit union industries. Art has worked at some of the leading captive finance companies including Toyota Financial Services, Lexus Financial Services, and Isuzu Motors Acceptance Corp. Prior to his time at Los Angeles Federal Credit Union, Art served as the Vice President of Collections at Xceed Financial Credit Union. Art has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from The University of Virginia. In 2016, Art was awarded the CU Times Trailblazer 40 Below award for his success overseeing collections programs at credit unions while forming the NCUCA.

Karel Rocha

Karel Rocha / Principal Attorney, Prenovost, Normandin, Dawe, & Rocha 

Professional Profile:

  • Mr. Rocha is a Member of State Bar of California, Los Angeles County Bar Association, Orange County Bar Association, and the Hispanic Bar Association of Orange County.
  • Mr. Rocha became a Principal at Prenovost, Normandin, Bergh & Dawe in January 2015 and represents credit unions, escrow companies, banks and financial institutions in all manner of civil litigation, including consumer finance and real estate matters.
  • Over the last 17 years, Mr. Rocha has successfully handled court and jury trials throughout the State of California in the fields of real estate, auto dealer and auto finance defense, contractual disputes and personal injury on behalf of individuals and corporate clients.
  • He has also been a panelist speaker at various seminars throughout the State relating to consumer finance litigation and compliance (FDCPA, TCPA, Rosenthal Act, Rees-Levering Act), bankruptcy law, escrow law, and real estate matters
Chris Otey

Chris Otey / Co-Founder & Chief Revenue Officer, Credit Union 2.0

Chris is the Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer at CU 2.0, the Chairman of the Board at South Bay Credit Union and a Business Development Executive at Strategic Resource Management. In his role with CU 2.0 Chris is looking to create partnerships between FinTech providers and Credit Unions to allow them to compete and thrive in a constantly changing digital environment. Chris has been on the Board of Directors at South Bay Credit Union since 2007 and became the Chairman in 2017. In his role with SRM, Chris provides credit unions with Data Analytics Strategy reports and facilitates Board Strategic Planning session for SRM clients nationwide.

Previously, Chris was the Chief Revenue Officer at CU Wallet. Chris was with CU Wallet since its inception and was responsible for all revenue generated for the CUSO. In his role with CU Wallet, Chris worked to unite the Credit Union Industry behind a credit union led, credit union driven mobile wallet solution. He worked with Credit Unions, Merchants, other CUSO’s, State Leagues and Associations to create the credit union specific mobile payments ecosystem.

Chris spent eighteen years working in all facets of the Credit Union Division within Fiserv including XP Systems, Summit Information Systems, and LynxGate Solutions. Chris has sold, trained and installed core processing, EFT services, Wire Services, Internet Banking, Bill Pay, Mobile Solutions and Accounting Systems. Chris currently is on the CUNA Payments Subcommittee.

Mr. Otey earned a BA in Communications from California State University, Northridge. He lives in Redondo Beach, CA.

Amir Tajkarimi

Amir Tajkarimi / CEO & Co-Founder, Lexop

Amir Tajkarimi is the CEO and Co-Founder of Lexop, a leading digital payment and collection software solution that empowers members to self-cure their late bills. Before co-founding Lexop, Amir was a practicing Banking Lawyer for several years at renowned firms and the National Bank of Canada. In addition to his professional successes, he is also a published author and has contributed to publications like the “Doing Business Report” by the World Bank Group.

Ian Frame

Ian Frame / Director, CARFAX Auto Finance division

Ian Frame is a licensed attorney with more than a decade of experience in the automotive industry. Ian currently serves as Director of CARFAX’s Auto Finance division, overseeing the strategic execution of the vertical while launching projects designed to pierce the Auto Finance industry landscape. In a recent collaboration with major lenders and insurance companies, Ian utilized machine learning to help develop fraud indicators that integrate with loan origination platforms and feed directly into lender scorecards. A 2021 Auto Remarketing 40 Under 40 honoree, Ian retains an impressive cache of knowledge on key topics in the auto lending space, including: machine learning, collateral fraud, big data and more.

Mike Schatzman

Mike Schatzman / CEO, Technology Systems Solutions

I have been working at or for credit unions since 1988. I have been writing Symitar PowerOns since 1994. Today I am the CEO of Technology Systems Solutions (TSS). I founded TSS, in 2001, with the goal to help credit unions realize the power of their Symitar System. I combine my experience with the technical aspects of the Symitar Episys system and my knowledge of the business and functional aspects of running a credit union. I grew my knowledge of the collections process and Symitar’s Collections package in 2008 because of growing number of credit unions that needed a more robust offering in those difficult times. I have used PowerOns to help collections professionals create tools to track collections processes such as; bankruptcies, repossessions, outsourced accounts, and legal processes. I have helped collection managers create reports to track productivity and results. I have helped collections executives create reports to analyze collections portfolios to recognize trends and anticipate future needs.

Ann Johnson

Ann Johnson / PHR, SHRM-CP, SVP/Chief Administrative Officer, Silver State Schools Credit Union

Ann Johnson, PHR, SHRM-CP, SVP/Chief Administrative Officer for Silver State Schools Credit Union, is an accomplished HR professional with over 30 years of experience in the private sector. Ann has been with Silver State Schools Credit Union for the past 26 years. She is responsible for implementing human resource management strategies that enable Silver State Schools Credit Union to recruit, train, and retain a high performing and motivated workforce. Her broad experience includes recruiting, training, performance management, career development, diversity program development, employee relations, benefits, compensation, payroll, safety, and compliance issues. 

Prior to joining Silver State Schools Credit Union, Ann held positions in the retail industry as a Human Resources Manager and a Training Manager. Ann took a brief reprieve from the ever changing HR world to work in the gaming industry when first moving to Las Vegas.

Ann holds a BS in Marketing from Kelley School of Business, Indiana University and a minor in Psychology. She is certified through the Human Resource Certification Institute as a Human Resource Professional (PHR), and the Society for Human Resource Management as a Human Resource Certified Professional (SHRM-CP). Ann also holds a Master Trainer certification from Langevin.

Jonathan A. Malek

Jonathan A. Malek, Esq / General Counsel, RE/MAX ONE

Jonathan Malek is a California Licensed Attorney and Real Estate Broker. Jonathan provides both legal and business advice to RE/MAX One, a real estate brokerage with 12 locations in Southern California. Before joining RE/MAX One, Jonathan represented credit unions, real estate brokerages, real estate associate/brokers, escrow companies and title companies for over nineteen years. Jonathan has extensive litigation experience in all collection, business, real estate and bankruptcy matters. Jonathan also has extensive experience in litigating in state court, federal court, bankruptcy court and probate court.

Susan Richards

Susan Richards / CEO & Founder, CredTech Consulting LLC

Susan Richards has more than 35 years of experience building a name for herself in the Collection and Debt Buying Industry. Susan started on the collection floor at Allied Bond and Collection Agency in 1989. After building her own stellar track record, she was quickly promoted to trainer. Soon after, she transferred her outstanding performance and training skills to a sales position with NCB Management Services. While at NCB Management Services, Susan consistently exceeded expectations. She increased the company’s client base by 75% and sales by more than 64 million dollars. Her strong work ethic and creative vision propelled her advancement in the industry. She was promoted to senior management roles, enthusiastically taking on the role of Vice President of Operations, and then to Senior Vice President of Operations. Throughout the years, Susan continued her journey up the professional ladder and ultimately advanced to the position of  Chief Operating Officer. As Chief Operating Officer, she implemented strategies and procedures to help achieve and exceed the company’s revenue goals. In her last year in operations, she surpassed goals of more than 120 million dollars in collections for contingency and purchase accounts. Her record still stands today as a “top performer” in the multi-million-dollar collector club. She was responsible for planning, investment committee procedures, training and compliance, quality control, and a team of more than 500 people. Susan’s reputation has always been one of integrity and honesty. She is well known and respected in the industry for driving results and being a leader who leaves “ego” at the front door. On a personal note, Susan is the proud mother of three. She has a daughter and twin boys. One of her sons has a severe disability with autism, mental challenges, and epilepsy. Her priority has always been her family and ensuring financial stability as the breadwinner. Now that her children are young adults, she decided it was time to take her collective experience to the next level. She looks forward to this new chapter as a business owner and consultant and to helping your organization reach its operational, strategic, and financial goals.

Harrison Tang

Harrison Tang / CEO & Co-founder, Spokeo

Harrison Tang, CEO and Co-founder of Spokeo, combines his extensive knowledge in Electrical Engineering and Economics from Stanford University with a visionary approach to data technology. His expertise in identity resolution and data integration positions him as a leading expert in adapting collections practices to the challenges of the modern, contact-avoidant landscape. Tang’s innovative strategies have made him a sought-after voice in the field of collections and data utilization. Harrison has been a speaker at CES and has been cited in major publications such as CNN.com and USA Today.

In his current role as a Co-Chair of the W3C Credentials Community Group. He actively contributes to the advancement and standardization of digital credentials. In addition, Harrison assumed the position of Chairman at the Monte Jade Science and Technology Association – Southern California (SCMJ) in 2022. In this role, he facilitates networking opportunities among Taiwanese-American professionals. Harrison was also a board member of Innovate Pasadena from 2020-2021.

 

Kevin Barth

Kevin Barth / VP Sales, AKUVO

Kevin Barth is a highly motivated and results-driven executive with over 25 years of experience in sales and strategic business development in the financial services industry. Kevin has played a pivotal role in training and mentoring sales management and overseeing efficient operations at financial intuitions. His expertise and passion lie in establishing win-win relationships and demonstrating a critical understanding of customer business needs and opportunities. At AKUVO, Kevin is recognized as a hands-on VP of Sales for his ability to employ innovative approaches in business development, fostering team unity, and delivering solutions to customers.

 

Tyler Gray

Tyler Gray / Director of Sales, Lender Compliance Technologies

Tyler is the Director of Sales for Lender Compliance Technologies, a SaaS company focused on helping lenders maintain compliance for Voluntary Protection Product cancellations and refunds.

With experience in dealership operations, loan originations and loan servicing platforms, Tyler is focused on delivering solutions that address the immediate needs of lenders while also helping achieve their organizational & technological goals. At LCT, Tyler assists lenders in navigating the complexities of VPP cancellations and refunds in a highly scrutinized regulatory environment.

Michael J. Dougherty

Michael J. Dougherty / Shareholder, Weltman, Weinberg & Reis Co., L.P.A.

Mike is the managing partner of the firm’s Philadelphia office. He practices in commercial and consumer collections, with particular emphasis in handling commercial loan workouts and complex collection cases. He also focuses a great deal of his practice on compliance issues related to the lending, debt collection, and repossession industries.

Mike is a frequent speaker on compliance issues related to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the lending industry. In addition, he is the moderator of the podcast, “What’s on Tap” whose recent episodes include: “Replevins, Repossessions and Repair Shop Liens – How Best to Recover your Vehicles” and “Cross-collateralization and Other Secured Loans – Maximizing Recovery from Members in Bankruptcy”

Courtney Collier

Courtney Collier / RVP of Sales, Open Lending

Courtney Collier joined OpenLending in January of 2018 as a Regional Vice President. Prior to starting at OpenLending, Courtney managed CU Direct’s loan portfolio analytics product, Lending Insights. Since 2012 he successfully worked with over 100 credit unions to manage and develop comprehensive credit risk management programs using data and analytics. He has worked diligently to educate credit unions on the latest techniques and best practices to uncover risk and discover opportunities hidden in their portfolio’s data. As a strategic leader and industry expert, Courtney focuses on using data to make a positive impact on profitability, mitigate risk and drive efficiencies through data-driven decisions and actionable analysis.

Kris Frantzen

Kris Frantzen / Product Manager, Temenos (formerly Akcelerant)

Kris has spent 25 years in the software and service space, focusing on solutions that drive efficiency and growth for credit unions and banks. This has included product strategy roles for loan and account origination and collection solutions with Metavante, FIS, and now Temenos.

In his role as a Product Manager with Temenos, Kris is responsible for Product Strategy for the Temenos North American Origination and Collection solutions. He also manages relationships with strategic accounts and the team of Product Evangelists that drive product demonstrations, deliver request for proposal responses, and provide thought leadership content for industry articles, webinars, and conferences. The insight gathered from prospects, clients, the Temenos teams, and his experience in the industry are key components for Kris’s input on the strategic direction of the Temenos solutions.

Greg Pesci

Greg Pesci / President & CEO of Spera, Inc. (dba MessagePay)

Greg Pesci is the founder, President, and CEO of Spera, Inc. (dba MessagePay). MessagePay is a fintech company that embeds payments into communication software to serve the needs of financial institutions.

Greg served at ProPay, Inc. for nearly ten years. His roles included General Counsel, and then President and COO. He was instrumental in leading the sale of ProPay to Total Systems (“TSYS”). Prior to joining ProPay, Greg served as SVP at Merrick Bank, where he was Associate General Counsel, and led Business Development for more than 6 years.

He holds a Master of Organizational Behavior from the Marriott School of Business, and a Juris Doctor degree, with honors, from the J. Rueben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University. He is a named inventor on a patent addressing encryption and secure payment transactions.

Interested in becoming a Speaker for the 2024 conference?

About the 2024 NCUCA Venue

Bellagio Las Vegas

Location
3600 S Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Directions
Contact
888-987-6667

Book Your Hotel Room

Limited Room Block: $179/night + resort fee & room tax
BUSINESS PARTNER VENUE DETAILS

Hotel reservations can also be phoned in by calling 888-987-6667

Limited Room Block: $169/night + resort fee & room tax
In order to receive the group rate, reserve here or call the number above and identify your affiliation with NCUCA.
Attendees need to be registered for the conference in order to be eligible for the NCUCA group rate. *

We do NOT call attendees to book accomodation.

We have been made aware of organizations approaching our guests promising lower priced accomodation. Some claim to be official representatives of ourselves or the venue. However, they are NOT working with us and we recommend you to NOT do business with them. If you are approached by anyone attempting to book hotel rooms, inform us immediately here.

Lead Sponsors

South Bay Remarketing Services

Co-Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Welcome Evening Sponsor

Coffee Break Sponsor

Breakfast Sponsors

Lunch Sponsors

Badge Sponsor

Technology Sponsor

Wall Insert Sponsor

Registration Desk Sponsor

Emcee/Moderator Sponsor

Text Sponsor

Headshot Sponsor

Industry Partners

Exhibiting Vendors