Mike DeCarpio may have gotten his start in the ARM industry by accident, but it’s no accident that he’s been here for a quarter of a century. Celebrating his 25th anniversary in the industry this year, DeCarpio takes his work very seriously, but still takes time to appreciate watching new collectors flourish. Read on to learn more about Mike and why he could tell you about his day, but then he’d have to kill you. Just kidding.
Name: Mike DeCarpio
Company: RevSolve, Inc.
Length of time at current company: 4.5 years
Length of time in industry: Celebrating my 25th year in the industry
How did you get your start in the industry?
Like many, by mistake. I was young and traversing my way through life and had not yet found my passion. I had a friend that worked in collections who set me up to meet with the agency manager and I was offered the opportunity to get started. In the beginning, I had no idea what was going on and I hated every moment of it. But, I soon began to figure out how to be successful which led to my first management opportunity and the rest, as they say, is history.
What is your career highlight so far?
Anytime I can interact with a new collector and watch them develop step by step to be a successful part of our company and industry, I consider each of those moments a highlight.
When or how are you most productive?
I like to think of myself as productive all of the time. It wouldn’t be appropriate for me not to be at the top of my game at any particular time of the day or month as compared to any other, too many people are counting on me. I don’t mean for this to sound like a cop-out response, but I have clients in every time zone who expect me to be at the top of my game. I have staff who are all different with different peaks and valleys, and as we all know crisis doesn’t have a watch or a calendar.
Which industry professional do you admire most?
This is an slightly unfair question. I have had the great fortune to be able to work with a considerable number of fantastic people and minds. I’ve also been very blessed to be able to interact at various events with some of the very best people in our industry. But, there are a few people that immediately come to mind.
- Chris Rickman was the first person in our industry to give me an opportunity to lead as well as being instrumental in my development.
- Chris Becraft built a company whose values and beliefs lined up with my own. Working with Chris and his business acumen has been crucial to me as I’ve continued to learn and grow.
- Mary Sand and Pat Esquivel – I have the pleasure of working with Mary and Pat today and they continuously challenge me to go outside of my comfort zone and develop as a person as much as professionally.
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
Being myself, mostly because nobody else is crazy enough to attempt to be me. Seriously, I don’t compare myself in any way to other people. I strive to be the best that I can be at all times.
What do you like most about this industry?
The people. As mentioned earlier, I have had a great opportunity to interact with many peers that are always willing to offer insights and inspirations. I have had a great opportunity to introduce our industry to thousands of people who found it under the same circumstances that led me to it. I’ve also embraced the opportunity to mentor so many minds that I’ve graciously had the opportunity to lead.
What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
I wish there was a way to differentiate companies that do things the right way from the scumbags that give us a bad name and cause us to be over-regulated. Then eliminate the bad companies leading to de-regulation.
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
Teaching history.
Describe a typical work day.
I arrive at work.
I work.
I leave work.
Everything in between is top secret!!!
There are no typical days. I’m sure you hear this a lot, but it is true. As with most, I review KPI whether it be from the prior day, month-to-date, year-to-date, or historical. I use the indicators to determine process improvement opportunities and act upon them. I determine staffing needs, and set out to hire the right people to put us in position to achieve our objectives. I coach and develop existing staff and challenge them to go beyond their comfort levels to improve.
What is your guilty pleasure?
French fries.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
To leave people with dignity. When engaged in a disagreement, I don’t have to continue the fight until the other party is submissive. Say what I have to say, know that they have heard it, and move on to the next subject.
What are you currently reading?
Harvard Business Review’s 10 Must Reads on Emotional Intelligence.
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you?
That I’m appreciative of all the input, advice, and encouragement that I’ve gotten from everyone in the 25 years of work in the industry.
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
Scott Purcell. I always enjoy conversations with Scott about what we do.
