If things had worked out differently, we might all be listening to Mac Johnston when watching sports on the television. Mac thinks he missed his calling by not becoming a play-by-play sports announcer. Television’s loss is the credit and collection industry’s gain. Read on to learn more about Mac and why Monday is probably the best day to ask him if he watched the latest episode of a TV show.
Name: Mac Johnston
Company: Healthcare Collections-I, LLC
Length of time at current company: Eight years
Length of time in industry: 15 years
How did you get your start in the industry?
I started out working for National City Bank in their mortgage recovery department.
What is your career highlight so far?
Becoming a certified Credit and Collection Compliance Officer and getting our agency PPMS certified with ACA International.
When or how are you most productive?
I am most productive when I have a goal to reach. And usually more productive in the morning because that is when most of my daily issues arise.
Which industry professional do you admire most?
I admire both Paul Peach and Christian Lehr. What they have done with our company should be praised by small businesses everywhere.
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
I think I multi-task well. I have several fires always burning at once and knowing how to prioritize them and get them all done is one of my greatest strengths.
What do you like most about this industry?
I enjoy assisting our clients in recovering their debts as well as helping people work out a way to get the debt paid.
What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
I wish there was more consumer education on collections and more importantly credit reporting.
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
I think I missed my calling in being a play-by-play sports announcer. I would pursue this if I could.
Describe a typical work day.
Wake up about 6AM, check my email and read news headlines. Get the kids up and help get them ready for school. I get into the office daily at 8AM. Go through my morning processes, then assist around the office any way I can. I usually get home around 5PM daily.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Binge watching TV shows with my wife. I love to let about five or six episodes build up in my queue and watch them all over a weekend.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
Take your emotions out of all calls and issues. I am a passionate person about the work I do but removing emotion has helped me understand that it is not personal what they are saying to me or my employees.
What are you currently reading?
“The Hunt for Red October” by Tom Clancy for probably the fifth time.
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you?
I can play a pretty mean saxophone.
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
