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Realizing you are good at something is a rare moment. Acting on that realization and turning it into a career is even rarer. Jeff Schuerman learned he was good at collections when he needed a job. From there, his 25-year journey has proven that staying in collections was the right choice. Read on to learn more about Jeff, why he’s likely never too far away from a guitar, and why he has his wife to thank for his new breakfast habit.
Name: Jeff Schuerman
Job Title: Collections Leader | Consultant | Exploring New Roles
Company: Formerly WeLendUs, Gateway Dealer Network, Refinitiv, CACi
Length of time at current company: 4 months
Length of time in industry: 25 years in Accounts Receivable, Credit & Collections
How did you get your start in the industry?
Like a lot of people, I didn’t plan to work in collections. I joined CACi right out of high school as a collector. I realized I was good at it — and enjoyed the wild characters I worked with. Since then, I’ve had a diverse collections experience working at a Bobcat dealership group, a fintech startup, and Thomson Reuters / Refinitiv / LSEG.
What is your career highlight so far?
Building departments from scratch. Most recently at WeLendUs, I created the entire credit and collections function, implemented Salesforce, Five9, and Zendesk, and trained the team to operate in a compliant, customer-first way. Turning a blank slate into a fully functioning department is always a proud moment.
When or how are you most productive?
I’m a morning person — nothing better than some loud music, strong coffee, and cranking out your to-do list.
Which industry professional do you admire most?
Roger Weiss, Shawn Farris, and Lucas Brown were my partners for many years at CACi. Roger taught me how to lead and educate with humor. Shawn has an inquisitive mind that’s unmatched. And Lucas has always been a great peer to bounce ideas off. I admire them and credit them all for helping to shape my career.
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
I lead by teaching and building trust through clear communication. I don’t just manage —I coach, I teach, and I break things down so they make sense. If you can’t communicate clearly with everyone from analysts to execs to customers, you’re going to hit roadblocks. I try to make sure we don’t. LOL… I think everyone has always relied on my ability to write presentations, RFPs, quarterly reviews, and tons of training materials over the years.
What do you like most about this industry?
It’s never boring. Collections is part psychology, part technology, part compliance, and part negotiation. Every day brings a new challenge and a new chance to solve problems creatively.
What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
The stigma. People hear “collections” and think of aggressive tactics. I want the industry to be seen as it truly can be: a partnership-driven, tech-enabled function that helps both customers and businesses succeed.
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
I spend a lot of my free time outdoors volunteering with Scouts BSA — camping, fishing, and going on adventures. When I’m home, I’m working on home improvements or tinkering with guitars. It’s tough to say what would win out in the end.
Describe a typical work day.
These days, I start my mornings with Mike Gibb’s Daily Digest, InsideARM, and other industry newsletters. When I’m working the collections floor, I begin by checking dashboards, reviewing cash flow and dispute escalations, coaching the team, and tackling whatever fire is burning. Then I carve out time to think about the bigger picture: compliance, strategy, and technology adoption.
What is your guilty pleasure?
I’ve been working on getting healthier and staying in shape. Believe it or not, I’ve always hated smoothies — until my wife introduced me to a chocolate and banana protein smoothie. Now I actually look forward to it as a stand-alone breakfast after a morning workout.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
This poem has been framed in my parents’ house (above the toilet…) since I was a kid. I’ve read it thousands of times—and it still gets me.
ON EXISTENCE
Alan Ashley-Pitt
We travel along the road of life:
hardly knowing what we are, yet always daring to be something;
seldom saying what we mean, but never afraid to have meaning;
sometimes failing in our endeavors, though never tempted to cease trying;
seeking satisfaction at every level, yet never defining happiness;
often apologizing for our existence, while realizing that life is its own excuse.
But the real joy of our otherwise insignificant efforts
is that we are never quite satisfied to be on the left, or right, or in the middle of that road.
We are always attempting to change its direction…
What are you currently reading?
I bounce between sci-fi, Stephen King novels, and business development/entrepreneurship books. One of the most eye-opening books I’ve read recently is “Buy Back Your Time” by Dan Martell. Although it’s geared toward entrepreneurs, nearly every lesson applies to leadership and management roles.
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you?
I played guitar in bands for a good portion of my youth. These days, I tinker with modifying and building guitars, recording at home, and collaborating with old bandmates and new friends.
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
Shawn Farris — although it may turn into a dissertation on why you’d ask these questions in the first place.
