Has there anyone who ever got their start in the industry by negotiating a great settlement with a debt collector? Talk about being born to do something. Jose Giron has a great origin story about how he came to work in the ARM industry, but his commitment, determination, and ability are what have propelled him up the ranks. Read on to learn more about Jose, the important life lesson he has learned from fishing, and why indulging in many flavors is always better than limiting yourself to just one.
Name: Jose Giron
Current Role/Job Title: Operations Manager, 3rd Party
Company: State Collection Service Inc.
Length of time at current company: Just over four years
Length of time in industry: Just over 20 years
How did you get your start in the industry?
I walked into a collection agency to pay a past due light bill from an apartment I had moved out of. When I got to the front desk, they connected me with the collection manager on a telephone that they had set up on the wall. I negotiated a rock bottom settlement (not accepting the first or second offer made to me). After I made my payment, the front desk clerk said she had never seen anyone make the manager go that low before. I can still remember the look on her face. She handed me a job application and the rest is history!
What is your career highlight so far?
Hard to think of one instance or event. I feel as though my career highlight reel would be filled with images of people I have worked with and/or mentored overcoming obstacles and succeeding in their careers. I draw a lot of inspiration through helping others achieve their goals (both personal as well as in business).
When or how are you most productive?
I feel as though I am the most productive in the early afternoons, but generally any time of day where distractions and one-off calls are at their lowest. I also thrive when there are a lot of changes and things need to be facilitated quickly, so the collections industry is certainly a good fit for my management style. It’s the excitement for me that drives the highest levels of production.
Which industry professional do you admire most?
It’s hard to say when I’ve had so many terrific mentors and work with so many talented professionals. I would say that Scott Purcell is someone I have admired since I met him back in 2019 at the ACA’s Level Up seminar in Minnesota and started following him on Linked In. I recently got to see him again at the GLCCA conference in Milwaukee just a couple of weeks ago. I truly admire his involvement and the scope of his impact throughout the entire industry.
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
Motivation and development (sorry, that’s two things lol). I have a passion for building people up and what seems to be a natural ability to really get them going.
What do you like most about this industry?
Diversity. Over the years, I have met and worked with people from such a wide variety of walks in life and I believe that I have benefited tremendously from each and every encounter. I have learned so much and continue to learn every day from meeting new people in the industry and sharing experiences.
What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
The politics behind regulations. Regulations that harm the industry and consumers just so somebody can get more votes.
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
As a young boy, I wanted to be an architect when I grew up. Realistically, I’d probably be in sales or running my own chain of pizzerias and sandwich shops. I really enjoy cooking.
Describe a typical work day
Working on multiple projects at the same time in between many internal meetings as well as meetings with clients. Engaging with my teams as much as possible via webcam chats (we are all remote); and coaching coaching coaching!!!!
What is your guilty pleasure?
Variety pack cheesecake! Why indulge in just one flavor when you can try them all?
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
A great manager I worked for many years ago used to always say “Know your audience.” That was powerful advice for me to increase the effectiveness of my communications on emails and in person or on the phone.
What are you currently reading?
“The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team – A Leadership Fable” by Patrick Lencioni and “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. Also just finished the QBQ (the Question behind the Question) by John Miller for the 12th or 13th time, I lose count. A terrific read!
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you?
Born and raised in Chicago, I somehow grew up loving nature and the outdoors. I am a passionate fisherman. I fish rivers, ponds, lakes, you name it! I have a small boat that I like to take the kids on, but my absolute favorite is getting in my BKC RA-220 (a highly modified fishing kayak) and exploring new waters. Something about being out there on my own and experiencing the sounds and smells just brings me peace. There is always something new to learn when I’m out fishing; new techniques, different species, new locations, etc. The best thing that fishing has taught me is patience. And for me, that is a really big deal.
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
Michelle Velasco – Director of Compliance at UCB Intelligent Solutions.
Has there anyone who ever got their start in the industry by negotiating a great settlement with a debt collector? Talk about being born to do something. Jose Giron has a great origin story about how he came to work in the ARM industry, but his commitment, determination, and ability are what have propelled him up the ranks. Read on to learn more about Jose, the important life lesson he has learned from fishing, and why indulging in many flavors is always better than limiting yourself to just one.
Name: Jose Giron
Current Role/Job Title: Operations Manager, 3rd Party
Company: State Collection Service Inc.
Length of time at current company: Just over four years
Length of time in industry: Just over 20 years
How did you get your start in the industry?
I walked into a collection agency to pay a past due light bill from an apartment I had moved out of. When I got to the front desk, they connected me with the collection manager on a telephone that they had set up on the wall. I negotiated a rock bottom settlement (not accepting the first or second offer made to me). After I made my payment, the front desk clerk said she had never seen anyone make the manager go that low before. I can still remember the look on her face. She handed me a job application and the rest is history!
What is your career highlight so far?
Hard to think of one instance or event. I feel as though my career highlight reel would be filled with images of people I have worked with and/or mentored overcoming obstacles and succeeding in their careers. I draw a lot of inspiration through helping others achieve their goals (both personal as well as in business).
When or how are you most productive?
I feel as though I am the most productive in the early afternoons, but generally any time of day where distractions and one-off calls are at their lowest. I also thrive when there are a lot of changes and things need to be facilitated quickly, so the collections industry is certainly a good fit for my management style. It’s the excitement for me that drives the highest levels of production.
Which industry professional do you admire most?
It’s hard to say when I’ve had so many terrific mentors and work with so many talented professionals. I would say that Scott Purcell is someone I have admired since I met him back in 2019 at the ACA’s Level Up seminar in Minnesota and started following him on Linked In. I recently got to see him again at the GLCCA conference in Milwaukee just a couple of weeks ago. I truly admire his involvement and the scope of his impact throughout the entire industry.
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
Motivation and development (sorry, that’s two things lol). I have a passion for building people up and what seems to be a natural ability to really get them going.
What do you like most about this industry?
Diversity. Over the years, I have met and worked with people from such a wide variety of walks in life and I believe that I have benefited tremendously from each and every encounter. I have learned so much and continue to learn every day from meeting new people in the industry and sharing experiences.
What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
The politics behind regulations. Regulations that harm the industry and consumers just so somebody can get more votes.
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
As a young boy, I wanted to be an architect when I grew up. Realistically, I’d probably be in sales or running my own chain of pizzerias and sandwich shops. I really enjoy cooking.
Describe a typical work day
Working on multiple projects at the same time in between many internal meetings as well as meetings with clients. Engaging with my teams as much as possible via webcam chats (we are all remote); and coaching coaching coaching!!!!
What is your guilty pleasure?
Variety pack cheesecake! Why indulge in just one flavor when you can try them all?
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
A great manager I worked for many years ago used to always say “Know your audience.” That was powerful advice for me to increase the effectiveness of my communications on emails and in person or on the phone.
What are you currently reading?
“The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team – A Leadership Fable” by Patrick Lencioni and “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. Also just finished the QBQ (the Question behind the Question) by John Miller for the 12th or 13th time, I lose count. A terrific read!
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you?
Born and raised in Chicago, I somehow grew up loving nature and the outdoors. I am a passionate fisherman. I fish rivers, ponds, lakes, you name it! I have a small boat that I like to take the kids on, but my absolute favorite is getting in my BKC RA-220 (a highly modified fishing kayak) and exploring new waters. Something about being out there on my own and experiencing the sounds and smells just brings me peace. There is always something new to learn when I’m out fishing; new techniques, different species, new locations, etc. The best thing that fishing has taught me is patience. And for me, that is a really big deal.
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
Michelle Velasco – Director of Compliance at UCB Intelligent Solutions.
