Dear ARA Members,
When I became your President, I’ll be the first to admit it wasn’t a role I fully understood, nor one I actively sought. As a true introvert, I’ve always been more comfortable in the back of the room, quietly listening and observing.
But leadership has a way of finding you—when you least expect it, and when you’re most needed.
What I’ve come to understand is that many didn’t know me and assumed I’d simply fall in line and rubber-stamp the old ways of doing things.
I did not.
At that time, ARA was operating in an outdated state—stuck in a cycle of “business as usual.” My first year was marked by internal conflict: a struggle between holding on to the past and stepping into the future. I chose to lean into the hard work. And what followed has been one of the most meaningful and impactful seasons of change this association has ever seen.
But change doesn’t come without sacrifice.
This role—and the work it demands—has cost many of us personally. We’ve given our time, our resources, and in some cases, even our clients. None of us are paid. None of us are reimbursed. We show up, over and over again, because we believe in you. We believe in this industry.
And because of that shared commitment, we’ve made progress—lots of progress, as you can see in a list of accomplishments below.
📌 IMPORTANT – YOUR VOTE MATTERS
ARA Board Elections
🗓 October 21, 2025
📍 ARA Annual Conference | Reno, Nevada
Three seats are up for election:
- Vaughn Clemmons
- Marcus Potter
- Amy Bednar
🗳 Your vote only counts if you attend.
Don’t let others decide the future of your association. Be present. Be heard. Even if it’s not easy to get to Reno, Nevada—make it happen. The things that matter most often require effort. And your effort is vital.
ARA Key Accomplishments in the Past Three Years
- Issued Groundbreaking White Paper Series on Compliance and Insurance
Published the industry’s first comprehensive white paper series exposing double standards in compliance and insurance practices—prompting a direct and notable response from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and positioning ARA as a credible policy advocate within the financial services ecosystem. - Published Numerous Industry White Papers
Developed and released a comprehensive series of white papers addressing critical issues in the recovery industry, establishing ARA as a thought leader and policy influencer. - Year-over-Year Growth of NARS Attendance by 100+ Participants
The North American Repossessors Summit (NARS) experienced consistent annual growth, with over 100 new attendees each year—demonstrating the event’s rising relevance and industry value. - Negotiated with Lenders on Key Industry Issues
Successfully engaged in multiple negotiations with major lenders to advocate for fair contracts, best practices, equitable storage policies, and improved agent-lender relationships. - ARA & RDN Collaboration to Address Violent Tagging
Partnered with Recovery Database Network (RDN) to combat the rise in violent tagging incidents, increasing safety awareness and prompting proactive measures industry-wide. - Free Contract Reviews by Legal Experts
Offered complimentary attorney-led reviews of member contracts, empowering agents with professional insights into complex legal language and helping them avoid unfavorable terms. - Clear Guidance on Legislative and Regulatory Impacts
Provided timely notifications and easy-to-understand explanations of how changing laws, federal acts, and legal decisions directly affect recovery agents’ operations and compliance responsibilities. - ARA & MBSi Partnership Supporting Industry Choice
Formed a strategic alliance with MBSi to protect and promote the industry’s freedom of choice in technology and vendor relationships, supporting transparency and competition. - Monthly Continuing Education Webinars
Hosted consistent monthly webinars delivering up-to-date education on best practices, compliance, legal changes, and business development, keeping members informed and competitive. - Advocated with Numerous Warnings on Lender Contracts
Issued multiple alerts and detailed breakdowns warning members about problematic lender contract terms and conditions—helping protect agents from one-sided agreements. - ARA University (In Development)
Initiated the creation of ARA University, a dedicated learning platform focused on standardized education, industry certification, and professional development for recovery professionals. - Expansion of ARA Staff
Strengthened organizational capacity by expanding the ARA team, enabling more robust member support, outreach, and advocacy. - Rebranding with a New Website, Logo, and Identity
Launched a modernized ARA website and refreshed brand identity, improving user experience, visibility, and communications with members and external stakeholders. - Repo Alliance Legislative Progress
Played a pivotal role in the ongoing success of the Repo Alliance, advancing legislative advocacy efforts to protect and represent the interests of the recovery industry on Capitol Hill. - Strengthened Ties with Lending and Dealer Trade Associations
Deepened partnerships and collaborative initiatives with key trade associations representing lenders and dealers—earning ARA increased recognition and influence across the auto finance ecosystem. - Secured Prominent National Media Coverage
Featured in a Wall Street Journal article on Harley-Davidson repossessions—bringing national attention to key issues in the recovery industry and helping elevate public understanding and credibility of the profession. - Raised $100K for RABF & Repo Alliance at NARS 2025
Achieved a major fundraising milestone at NARS 2025, generating over $100,000 in support of the Recovery Agents Benefit Fund (RABF) and Repo Alliance—strengthening both advocacy and agent support initiatives across the industry. - Rebuilt Trust and Member Engagement
Restored transparency through open board communications and regular member updates, resulting in increased conference participation and renewed trust across the association. - Advocated for Agent Protections
Actively fought for fair treatment of agents by challenging unreasonable insurance requirements, advocating against unfair contract terms, and pushing for stronger indemnification standards. - Exposed and Challenged Unethical Practices
Publicly and unapologetically called out unethical behavior in the industry—including broker fraud, misuse of LPR data, and unjust storage liability practices—demanding accountability and systemic reform. - Elevated the Agent Voice Nationally
Positioned ARA as the definitive voice of the agent sector—ensuring agent concerns are heard in every setting, from lender boardrooms to federal agency discussions. - Led Through Volunteerism, Not Perks
Maintained a fully volunteer-based board, with no reimbursement for travel or time—demonstrating that leadership remains grounded in service and self-sacrifice, not personal benefit. - Established Strategic Member-Driven Committees
Launched new committees focused on Contracts, Mentorship, LPR, Technology, Client Relations, and Key Management—empowering members to shape industry standards and fostering direct collaboration with lenders and forwarders on high-impact issues.
Enabled Real-Time Communication Through Text Notifications
Implemented a text notification system to instantly deliver industry news, updates, and key association announcements—ensuring members stay informed in real-time while aligning with modern communication trends and advancing our technological capabilities.
