The “Getting to Know” series is sponsored by Arbeit. Arbeit is a powerful, and easy to use communications platform that empowers businesses to reach more consumers. Innovative by nature, we are constantly listening to and understanding the businesses we partner with and developing long term industry relationships that allow us to be proactive in anticipating industry needs.
Having spent time working in a number of different areas within collection agencies has given Doffie Howard a unique perspective to the importance of operations and IT working together. Much like his description of the collection industry as always adapting and moving forward, Doffie never looks back. Read on to learn more about Doffie, his love of hair bands, and why he is such an ardent supporter of the military.
Name: Doffie Howard
Job Title: Vice President, Business Support
Company: FBCS, Inc.
Length of Time at Current Position: Seven months
Length of Time in Industry: 25 years
How did you get your start in the industry?
Persistence! LOL! I actually was provided an opportunity with Accelerated Bureau of Collections in Cincinnati, Ohio. I harassed the GM so much to hire me that he finally said that he would give me a shot.
What is your career highlight so far?
My career highlight was becoming part of the FBCS family this year. After discussing an opportunity over the course of several years it finally worked out that we were both in the same place at the same time.
When or how are you most productive?
Under pressure! I welcome pressure and a challenge.
Which industry professional do you admire most?
I admire Kirk Moquin the most in the industry for what he taught me during the years I worked for him at Accelerated Bureau of Collections and ERC. He always had a saying that I still use today … “It’s trash till it’s cash!” His perspective on the industry has always been something I valued during my time working with him and try to incorporate into my day-to-day outlook on the industry.
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
I believe that my perspective on the industry is like no other due to the fact that I spent a large portion of my career in operations, starting out as an agent in 1991. Moving into IT from operations provided me with a different outlook than other IT executives.
What do you like most about this industry?
Longevity. No matter what is or has been thrown at all of us we adapt and keep moving forward. We adjust our process(s) to meet requirements and never look back.
What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
Consistency between creditors and agencies, coming up with a unified method for all files between agencies and clients so the onboarding piece is the smoothest part of boarding a new client. One system for all parties to go through would provide creditors with a known fixed cost no matter what agency or tier they are boarding and placing.
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
Professional Scuba Diver – aka unemployed, ocean bum, beach bum, etc.
Describe a typical work day.
A typical day begins with arriving at the office and planning the day according to deliverables that are assigned throughout the department. After reviewing all due and requested I begin executing. Most of the day is spent executing already planned tasks or projects. I always assign myself two hours per day to think about the next steps for IT and how it can enable to company to perform or operate better than it is today.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Hair Nation on Sirius XM. Can’t help it. I’m an ’80’s kid!
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What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Do not wear your emotions on your sleeve was the best piece of advice I ever received. The hard part is living up to it when you are already a high-strung person!
What are you currently reading?
I am currently reading Python Machine Learning by Wei-Meng Lee
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you
I am a proud supporter of our military and currently have a son serving our great country in the US Army.
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
Joe Neary, Anthony Faldetta, Dan Winkler (Frontline Asset), and Tom Clement (Frontline Asset).
The “Getting to Know” series is sponsored by Arbeit. Arbeit is a powerful, and easy to use communications platform that empowers businesses to reach more consumers. Innovative by nature, we are constantly listening to and understanding the businesses we partner with and developing long term industry relationships that allow us to be proactive in anticipating industry needs.
