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Calder Willingham literally got his start in the industry on the ground floor. But it’s where he’s taken Creditors Bureau Associates and the direction in which the company is heading that is the bigger story. Calder’s turned CBA into a national presence and earned his place as one of the industry’s future leaders. Read on to learn more about Calder, why his guilty pleasure has to come from the gas station, and where you will find him if he ever wins the lottery.
Name: Calder Willingham
Job Title: Owner/CEO
Company: Creditors Bureau Associates (CBA)
Length of time at current company: 19 years
Length of time in industry: 19 years
How did you get your start in the industry?
Been working at CBA since I was 10 years old cleaning toilets, sweeping floors, and shredding paper.
What is your career highlight so far?
Building a team of people working together to live out our mission and vision. Creating a great culture supported by our core values.
When or how are you most productive?
I am most productive when I can work in solitude. Being the leader of the company, I can’t isolate myself though.
Which industry professional do you admire most?
Mike Gibb and Megan Hebert. Mike now has national conferences that are a great investment to attend. Megan’s agency was started by her father like CBA was. Megan took the reins and is now one of the most prominent figures in our industry. Both people’s imagination and worth ethic I admire.
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
I hope it is the way I care about my people. I work to create our servant leadership mentality and building a great culture to work in.
What do you like most about this industry?
The people who run and manage these companies are great people. I also like how in our line of work there are so many tools and resources to measure the work/compliance of employees. Not many other industries have the sort of data that is quantifiable like this. It is usually qualitative in nature.
What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
Oof. I don’t know if I am equipped to know or say what that would be. Probably have more businesses come together and fight state and federal government that are trying to put us out of business.
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
What would l like to do? Or, what would I realistically be doing? Ha! I would likely be in some sort of sales role selling insurance or annuities, etc. If I win the lottery I am moving out West and owning/running a ranch.
Describe a typical work day.
That is a really hard question to answer because it always varies. It is a fight between getting emails answered and getting items done on my to do list. Calling existing clients or creating new relationships. Dealing with employee issues and helping them get to where they want to go in the company.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Honey buns. From the gas station
What is the best advice you have ever received?
Why would you care what someone thinks about you if you would not take their advice on a problem that you need help solvingFrom my boss at my first full-time office job: “Do what’s right.” If you make a mistake, fall on the sword, take steps to correct it. Always work with integrity.
What are you currently reading?
Spiritual Discipline and D&D Campaign Guide
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you?
I am here to help if they need anything from me
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
Kelly Parsons-O”Brien and Megan Hebert
