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It makes sense that Mark Neill found a home in the ARM industry, where making connections with consumers is the foundation for success. His commitment and passion for getting to know people is his superpower and has helped propel him from debt collector to senior executive. Read on to learn more about Mark, his success at turning problem projects into growth opportunities, and why you will likely find him outdoors when he’s not working.
Name: Mark Neill
Job Title: Vice President of Operations & Compliance
Company: Oxygen XL
Length of time at current company: 1.5 years
Length of time in industry: 35 years
How did you get your start in the industry?
I began my career in the ARM industry working for Fingerhut Corporation as a debt collector. I became friends with Brian Kurowski, who at that time oversaw the Outside Collection Agency Network. He left and went to work for the Bureau of Collection Recovery, Inc. and I followed him. I worked my way up the ladder from Supervisor to Collection Manager to Site Manager to Vice President of Operations and then President. The company was sold, and I moved onto State Collection Service as Director of Production where I worked for 10 years. Then, it was onto Enhanced Resource Centers and currently Oxygen XL as Vice President of Operations & Compliance.
What is your career highlight so far?
I’ve had numerous highlights throughout my career, so it’s hard to pick just one. One of the highlights was starting a new relationship with a client where we took on a project that no one else wanted. It was a project that was older business, had minimal contact and demographic information and was very challenging and also produced lower fees. After a few months we figured out the client’s business, overcame additional obstacles and proved ourselves to the client. This earned us a lot of business and provided me with the experience and opportunity to build out all processes and a very large team of approximately 100 FTE to support the growth. This project and client became a long-standing client and opened doors for our organization as well as my team. I’ve been privileged to repeat this very same story a few times in my career.
When or how are you most productive?
I am most productive in the morning after my daily routine of showering, shaving, eating a light breakfast w/coffee, but I also get a second wind mid-afternoon to the end of the day.
Which industry professional do you admire most?
This is a difficult question to answer as I have connected with many amazing professionals and leaders in the ARM industry. A few that I’ll share: Sameer Maini, Ron Roonzani, Blake Rice, Brian Kurowski, Tim Collins, and Jonathan Abenson.
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
I’m not sure I do anything better than anyone else, but I have always had the ability and skill set to build teams that perform at a high level. Something that aids me in this effort is my ability and desire to connect with people I work with. I feel if I get to know my staff (and they get to know me) and what drives them/motivates them I can quickly identify their areas of opportunity can then tailor my 1:1’s and coaching sessions to become high performing individuals.
What do you like most about this industry?
The people I’ve met throughout my career. Also having to adapt to quick changes, competition and the sharing of information (best practices) with my peers and network.
What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
Regulations, ever-changing state laws, and the perception people have with our industry.
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
Playing professional ice hockey for the Minnesota Wild (as a right wing or defensemen) — Ha! Working for a start-up and building a team from the ground up to leverage my operations & leadership skill sets, learning a ton of new skills and growing the organization.
Describe a typical work day.
Checking emails and my calendar. Diving into the numbers, dashboards, & reports. Meeting with my team throughout the day, 1:1’s, Clients & Vendors. Working on projects, strategic goals, reviewing inventory management, strategies and resolving any issues for the day.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Enjoying a ribeye steak prepared on the grill and enjoying a summer evening.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
“It’s never the wrong time to do the right thing.”
What are you currently reading?
“Extreme Ownership – How U.S. Navy Seals LEAD and WIN” by Jocko Willink & Leif Babin
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you?
I’m a thrill seeker. I’m from the Midwest so I enjoy the changing of the seasons and outdoor activities like hunting, fishing, camping, boating, football, and hockey.
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
Jonathan Abenson, CEO at Oxygen XL
