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Is there a better story than going from making pizza to owning your own agency, working your way up the ladder from the very bottom? Tammy Robertson, the new president of Eastern Revenue should serve as an inspiration to anyone who wonders what the upside is to working in the ARM industry. Read on to learn more about Tammy, why she likes to be kept on her toes, and when she likes to break out the Ben & Jerry’s.
Name: Tammy Robertson
Job Title: President
Company: Eastern Revenue, Inc.
Length of time at current company: 14 years, 7 months
Length of time in industry: 19 years
How did you get your start in the industry?
I was working at a pizza shop when one of our delivery drivers approached me about an opening at his daytime job, OSI Collections. I started there as an early-out collector in 2005.
What is your career highlight so far?
My path to becoming President of ERI! I started here as a collector in 2010 then transitioned to Business Development in 2015. Having the opportunity to look at different sides of the business led me to start looking at bigger picture issues. I took my ideas/concerns to management and that kickstarted my involvement in companywide projects. Having my visions and ideas taken into consideration and having the chance to see some of them come to fruition, ignited a passion in me that led to discussions about leading the company into the future. When our previous owner mentioned his goal to transition out of his position, I knew I had to seize the moment and purchased ERI in June 2024.
When or how are you most productive?
I’m most productive when I take the time to see how the work I’m doing plays into the success of my team.
Which industry professional do you admire most?
That is almost impossible to answer. I’ve met so many wonderful individuals in the industry. The ones I most admire are the people who are genuinely interested in sharing their knowledge and investing in the success of the industry as a whole.
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
I don’t believe I’m the best at anything compared to others. However, one of my biggest strengths is having the ability to play out all sides of a situation. I use this skill to bring different members of my team together on issues that we may all look at differently, to ensure everyone can see each other’s points of view. This enables us to make a collective decision that best suits the company.
What do you like most about this industry?
I like how it forces me to always be on my toes. Things seem to change on a daily basis so it’s always an adventure and I’m always learning.
What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
I wish I could change how the industry is perceived.
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
My goal was to franchise a few of the pizza shops I was working at prior to my start in collections. So, I’d probably be flipping pizzas somewhere.
Describe a typical work day.
It can vary drastically day to day, but it would be a combination of the following: Check emails, monitor my system dashboard, work on current IT/workflow projects, check in with our different department heads, address any elevated issues, communicate with vendors.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Binge-watching Netflix and sneaking Ben & Jerry’s after my kids go to bed.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
There is always something to be grateful for; practice an attitude of gratitude.
What are you currently reading?
“Lucky” by Marissa Stapley
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you?
I’m an open book and can sometimes overshare. But I believe being the fullest, most raw version of yourself will connect you with the people meant to be in your circle for the right reasons.
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
Dianne Schmitt, Eastern Revenue
