American Recovery Association http://www.repo.org Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:09:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 en hourly 1 The President’s Outlook for 2010 http://www.repo.org/blog/the-president%e2%80%99s-outlook-for-2010 http://www.repo.org/blog/the-president%e2%80%99s-outlook-for-2010#comments Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:03:13 +0000 jhall http://www.repo.org/?p=531 While I certainly don’t claim to have a crystal ball, based on projected economic reports, we can expect the auto recovery and auto sales industries will have a slow 2010. Unemployment is still at a record high and economic uncertainty still exists.As a result, many people are holding on to the cars they have. From our perspective, this means the pipeline of auto loans from the subprime boom are getting older and thus are less likely to fail. Hence, there will be less recovery work for our businesses. To capitalize on new business opportunities, become a better partner to lenders and secure our industry’s future, I believe in two things – unity and technology.
Joining forces and forming one association, a cohesive industry, would allow us to form a stronger relationship with lenders and have a collective power to lobby for appropriate legislation. The possibilities of a single, strong association could bring value beyond belief to the businesses of its members. Doing so would help ensure our livelihoods against multi-conglomerates that are moving to put our small businesses out of work completely. 2009 saw a handful of “false starts” toward industry unification. I encourage all of us not to get discouraged and continue these discussions in 2010.

Technology is another area that will be key for our industry in 2010. I strongly believe License Plate Recognition technology will help us recapture control of our businesses. Historically, our industry has been slow to adopt technology. Our businesses were doing just fine without technology and the upfront investment is substantial. That said being said, times have changed. One of the goals the American Recovery Association has for 2010 is to work to make all recovery agents understand the importance of keeping up with technology. The 2010 North American Repossessors Summit will have several sessions dedicated to all facets of technology – from office operations to technology that supports drivers out in the field.

Our jobs were always hard. In this economic climate, they are incredibly difficult. Now is the time to buck the status quo, to challenge our businesses, and ourselves, and secure the industry we, and our forefather and brother repossessors, built before us. We are standing at a time when unity and knowledge of current technology are our best weapons to keep from losing our industry to a monster conglomerate.

]]> http://www.repo.org/blog/the-president%e2%80%99s-outlook-for-2010/feed You Count! The 2010 Census is Coming http://www.repo.org/blog/you-count-the-2010-census-is-coming http://www.repo.org/blog/you-count-the-2010-census-is-coming#comments Mon, 25 Jan 2010 19:29:17 +0000 mford http://www.repo.org/?p=528 Taking an accurate count of the U.S. population serves a number of different purposes. First, census information affects the number of seats your state occupies in the U.S. House of Representatives. Secondly, it helps different organizations advocate for causes, prevent diseases, research markets, provide insights that help make decisions regarding public works and infrastructure projects – and much more.

Whether you answer the census by mail, phone or in person, be sure to be cooperative, but cautious – in order to protect yourself and your identity. Census gathers information about every person living at each address – including name, age, gender, race and other relevant data. If a U.S. Census worker comes to your home, they will have a badge, Census Bureau canvas bag and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions. A Census Bureau representative will never, under any circumstances, ask to enter your home. The Census Bureau will not ask for your Social Security, bank account or credit card numbers – nor will employees solicit donations.

To learn more about the 2010 Census and read the confidentiality and privacy notices, please visit: http://2010.census.gov

]]> http://www.repo.org/blog/you-count-the-2010-census-is-coming/feed 2010 North American Recovery Summit http://www.repo.org/blog/2009-north-american-recovery-summit http://www.repo.org/blog/2009-north-american-recovery-summit#comments Mon, 18 Jan 2010 15:42:00 +0000 mford http://www.repo.org/?p=521 Last year, more than 150 recovery specialists from around the country converged on Dallas to join together for the first North American Repossessors Summit hosted by the ARA.

It was refreshing to see recovery specialists from around the country put aside their differences in association affiliations (whether they were associated with an association or not). The first annual summit was a place for recovery agents to come together, learn from each other, and voice our concerns about the issues we deal with on a daily basis. The summit is the perfect place for recovery agents to address concerns and develop strategies to address our issues.

If you are a recovery specialist and wonder how some of us handle different situations, then you need to attend the 2010 Summit. I have been in this business for 35 years and I thought I had seen and heard it all. The summit made me realize I have so much more to learn. In this day and age, the recovery industry has so many variables we didn’t have when I first started. We need to have an open mind and share what we know.

Art Blanchette

]]> http://www.repo.org/blog/2009-north-american-recovery-summit/feed Pictures from the 2009 Annual Convention http://www.repo.org/blog/495 http://www.repo.org/blog/495#comments Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:36:25 +0000 mford http://www.repo.org/?p=495 Enjoy a few pictures from our recent convention! Thanks and congratulations to everyone for their hard work and dedication to American Recovery Association. To see more pictures from the 2009 Annual Convention, to visit us on YouTube.

2009 ARA Convention

2009 ARA Convention

2009 ARA Convention

]]> http://www.repo.org/blog/495/feed 2009 ARA Convention Recap http://www.repo.org/blog/2009-ara-convention-recap http://www.repo.org/blog/2009-ara-convention-recap#comments Fri, 02 Oct 2009 18:24:39 +0000 mlee http://www.repo.org/?p=488 Another year has come and gone. Despite, the challenges presented by the economy, we are incredibly pleased with the turnout and enthusiasm during the 45th Annual ARA convention.  Our members enjoyed reconnecting, sharing in lively discussions about our association and provided our new Board of Directors with guidance on the future of ARA.

We were also able to bring more than a dozen clients to our convention – including Wells Fargo, Chase, Capital One, Americredit and several others – to speak with the Board, address our members and, hopefully, lay the foundation to better partnerships.  I’d like to thank our Executive Director, Les McCook, for forging these relationships and ensuring that ARA remains top of mind for lenders across the country.

During this year’s convention, we also discussed our current initiation fee structure.  While our current fee structure may have served our goals in years past, it is no longer a viable solution to growing and retaining the best in our field.  That in mind, the new Board of Directors will be working on ways to restructure our fees to be affordable, while still retaining the market value that ARA is known for.

As with every convention, the membership elected new members to serve on the 2010 Board of Directors.

Jim Hall, President
Joe McOwen, Vice President
Chris Dunleavy, Secretary/Treasurer
Art Blanchette, Immediate Past President
Todd Abelhouzen, Director
Art Christensen, Director
Tom Crosby, Director
Chris Finn, Director
Paul Hallock, Director
Mary Jane Hogan, Director
Brian Long, Director

To the 2009 Board of Directors, I want to express my sincere appreciation and gratitude for all of your hard work. I would also like to thank the home office for their unwavering dedication and hard work to make ARA a success.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention our marketing/communications partner — Wellington Group. Dawn Wellington and Allison Bonlander have worked so hard on behalf of ARA. Their ability to prepare me for media interviews ensured I represented ARA in the best possible light and resulted in some of the best articles we could have hoped for.

Lastly, I would like to thank the membership for electing me to serve this association six times.  While I hope that I’ve been able to make a positive impact on ARA, I can guarantee ARA and each and every one of you has made a positive impact on me.

Thank you all for the confidence you had in me.

]]> http://www.repo.org/blog/2009-ara-convention-recap/feed Congratulations to the winners of the raffle at our 2009 Convention! http://www.repo.org/blog/congratulations-to-the-winners-of-the-raffle-at-our-2009-convention http://www.repo.org/blog/congratulations-to-the-winners-of-the-raffle-at-our-2009-convention#comments Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:04:43 +0000 jayson http://www.repo.org/?p=480 We are incredibly pleased to announce this year’s raffle raised $5,495 for the Kenneth H. Long Memorial Scholarship at Texas State University in San Marcos.  As many of you know, this scholarship fund has close ties to our ARA family.  Thank you to everyone who purchased raffle tickets and donated money!

Congratulations to the winners of the raffle at our 2009 Convention!ara-raffle-winners
Truman McClain (right) from South Georgia Investigative Agency won a tow bed valued at $9,000, generously donated by Dynamic Tow Equipment & Manufacturing.  Thanks to Anthony Gentile (left), President, and everyone at Dynamic!

Thanks also to Todd Hodnett (right) of RDN and DRN for graciously donating special NASCAR passes to help us raise additional funds for this year’s raffle.  Mike Plue (left) was the lucky recipient of those passes.  Careful on the track, Mike!

ara-raffle-winners2

]]> http://www.repo.org/blog/congratulations-to-the-winners-of-the-raffle-at-our-2009-convention/feed 2009 ARA Convention Program Agenda http://www.repo.org/blog/2009-ara-convention-program-agenda http://www.repo.org/blog/2009-ara-convention-program-agenda#comments Tue, 08 Sep 2009 20:51:25 +0000 jayson http://www.repo.org/?p=478 We are looking forward to this year’s convention.  Download the 2009 Program Agenda for more information.

]]> http://www.repo.org/blog/2009-ara-convention-program-agenda/feed Are you ready for the ARA Convention? http://www.repo.org/blog/are-you-ready-for-the-ara-convention http://www.repo.org/blog/are-you-ready-for-the-ara-convention#comments Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:17:23 +0000 jayson http://www.repo.org/?p=475 Dear ARA Members,

You’ve undoubtedly heard about the progress our organization has made at helping members like you thrive during these challenging economic times. As a member of the ARA Board of Directors, I can attest to all the hard work the association has put in on your behalf.   I’m privileged to be part of such a dedicated, professional group of people and hope you feel the same way as a member of the most prestigious organization in the industry.

ARA was instrumental in making the recent agreement with my company, RMI, and DRN possible.  As you may know, The RMI Quick Recovery Program® will help agents like you increase your recovery rate and, ultimately, earn more money. It should not come as a surprise, of course, that our clients are incredibly pleased with these higher recovery rates as well.    Because RMI doesn’t act as a barrier between you and the lender, both parties reap the benefit of developing a lasting relationship, without the interference of a forwarding company.

ARA’s support of The RMI Quick Recovery Program® – and many others – is changing the industry for the better.   Our clients now see the benefit of working one-on-one with trained and highly experienced professional agents like you.

I encourage all of you to join me at ARA’s Annual Convention in Nashville, Tennessee on Wednesday, September 16 to Friday, September 18, 2009.  I also encourage you to take the time to visit with the clients who will be in attendance and speak with them about this new program and your business.

As always, I welcome your feedback and look forward to seeing you all in Nashville!

Kind regards,

Joe McOwen
Secretary/Treasurer, ARA

]]> http://www.repo.org/blog/are-you-ready-for-the-ara-convention/feed ARA Honored with Humanitarian Award http://www.repo.org/blog/ara-honored-with-humanitarian-award http://www.repo.org/blog/ara-honored-with-humanitarian-award#comments Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:43:55 +0000 mlee http://www.repo.org/?p=471 ara-award1We are honored to have been awarded the RSIG Humanitarian Award for 2009!  According to RSIG, the award was presented to American Recovery Association “in recognition of your selfless act of generosity through your contribution to the Recovery Agents Memorial Fund, for the benefit of Jason McClendon.”

Thanks to all of our members for helping make our contribution possible!

]]> http://www.repo.org/blog/ara-honored-with-humanitarian-award/feed Dynamic to sponsor National Convention http://www.repo.org/blog/dynamic-to-sponsor-national-convention http://www.repo.org/blog/dynamic-to-sponsor-national-convention#comments Mon, 10 Aug 2009 15:35:41 +0000 jayson http://www.repo.org/?p=463 Dynamic Equipment and ManufacturingDynamic Equipment and Manufacturing has graciously donated a tow bed (valued at $9000) to be raffled off at the ARA National Convention in September.  Every member who attends the convention in Nashville will receive one complimentary ticket for a chance to win the tow bed.  All attendees will be able to purchase additional raffle tickets for $100 each.  Proceeds from raffle ticket sales will benefit the Kenneth Long Memorial Fund.

We are very close to this fund being self-sustaining and we greatly appreciate Dynamic for providing this opportunity.

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