I am thrilled to announce that the Getting to Know series will be sponsored by TEC Services Group in 2024. TEC Services Group is the leading technology and professional services firm in the credit collections industry offering both leading industry solutions along with unrivaled, unbiased, and experienced support. TEC is now extending its services by offering proven, industry-leading technology solutions alongside of our Professional Services to help Clients feel confident in their technology decisions. Learn more at ww.tecsg.com.
Richelle Rocazella has made a career by being able to put herself in the shoes of a customer. She learned that mantra in one of her first jobs in the industry and it has stayed with her for more than 30 years. While a career with the FBI may not have panned out, the ARM industry is lucky to have her. Read on to learn more about Richelle, what she does when she first wakes up every morning, and why she loves giving back.
Name: Richelle Rocazella
Job Title: Senior Vice President of Operations
Company: Axela Technologies
Length of time at current company: Seven months
Length of time in industry: 32 years
How did you get your start in the industry?
In 1989 I was working at a telemarketing company and one of my college friends was a client. She talked me into applying for a telemarketing manager position where she worked – MBNA America. Once I got the job, I had the great fortune to work in many different areas of the bank until I left in 2005 when they merged with Bank of America.
What is your career highlight so far?
I have so many! I would have to say my most recent positions with TrueAccord and now Axela Technologies have been the most exciting – specifically being part of organizations moving our industry into digital and AI focused capabilities.
When or how are you most productive?
I am a morning person and love my coffee – my best thinking and productivity happens between 6am and noon.
Which industry professional do you admire most?
Kelly Knepper-Stevens – she is a brilliant attorney and knows this business inside out. She is also one of the most wonderful women I have ever had the pleasure to work with.
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
That is a challenging question because no matter how good someone is, there will always be someone better. With that being said, where I have been very successful is in cultivating talent and recognizing strengths in people they may not have seen in themselves, nurturing and developing that talent and watching them grow and succeed.
What do you like most about this industry?
The opportunity to help not only our clients with their recovery efforts, but to do it with compassion and empathy for the individuals who are experiencing difficult financial situations. I like being part of changing how the industry is perceived.
The Getting to Know Series is Sponsored By:
What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
The regulators and how we are perceived. Our industry is vital to the economy and we provide a necessary service.
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
I had plans to go in the FBI, so that probably would have been my career path.
Describe a typical work day.
Every day is different. The one constant is that I get up at 5am and workout, then usually start my day by 6am. I spend the early hours analyzing data and reports – then it is off and running with meetings, projects, managing, etc.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Sitting on the beach with a good book
What is the best advice you have ever received?
“Think of yourself as a customer” this is a saying from MBNA and was over every door in every building. It is so simple, but truly drives everything I do in my professional life. Customer not only refers to external, but also the people you work with and interact with daily.
What are you currently reading?
“The Crimson Petal and The White” – guilty pleasure fiction
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you?
I have had so many wonderful opportunities in my career and some great mentors. I am in a position to give back and look for every opportunity to mentor our industry’s up and coming leaders. My greatest satisfaction is seeing people succeed.
The Getting to Know series is sponsored by TEC Services Group. TEC Services Group is the leading technology and professional services firm in the credit collections industry offering both leading industry solutions along with unrivaled, unbiased, and experienced support. TEC is now extending its services by offering proven, industry-leading technology solutions alongside of our Professional Services to help Clients feel confident in their technology decisions. Learn more at ww.tecsg.com
