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Getting into the credit and collection industry may not have been as easy as finishing off an alley-oop for Niel Welborn, but thanks to a well-time assist, Niel has made this industry his home for nearly 40 years. It was during his career as a basketball player and athletics administrator that he learned the valuable lesson that hard work can beat talent if talent doesn’t work hard. Read on to learn more about Niel, where he goes to solve all of the world’s problems every morning, and why March is still a special time of the year.
Name: My name is Niel Welborn, and I was born in Yadkinville, North Carolina. I graduated from Guilford College in 1975 and was proud to be a member of the 1973 NAIA National Basketball Championship team. Those experiences helped shape the work ethic and competitive spirit that have guided me throughout my career in the credit and collection industry.
Job Title: I currently serve as Vice President of Sales and Service at Todd, Bremer & Lawson, Inc. and am also a member of the Firm’s Board of Directors since 2003. Over the years, I have been fortunate to build lasting relationships throughout the credit and collection industry while helping clients navigate an ever-changing business environment. The competitive drive and teamwork I learned through athletics and throughout my career continue to influence my leadership style today.
Company: Todd, Bremer & Lawson, Inc. is a full-service third-party collection agency with a long-standing reputation for professionalism, compliance, and client service. TBandL has built the Firm’s success by combining experienced leadership, strong relationships, and a commitment to delivering results for public universities, community colleges, private colleges, seminaries, and trade schools. I am proud to be part of an organization that values integrity, innovation, and personalized service in everything we do.
Length of time at current company: I have been with Todd, Bremer & Lawson, Inc since April 1, 1990, and it has been rewarding to watch both TBandL and the credit and collection industry evolve over the years. During my time with the Firm, I have had the opportunity to build lasting relationships with clients and industry peers while serving in a variety of leadership roles within ACA International.
Length of time in industry: I entered the credit and collection industry in 1990 after careers as a high school and college basketball coach and as an athletic administrator at two universities. At the time, I knew very little about the industry, but I quickly discovered that success in both athletics and business depends on discipline, teamwork, communication, and relationships. More than three decades later, I remain grateful for the opportunities the industry has provided and for the many friendships and professional relationships I have built along the way.
How did you get your start in the industry?
Sheila and I moved to Rock Hill, South Carolina, where I worked in the Athletic Department at Winthrop University. During that time, I met Gene Williamson and shared my interest in building a career in the business world. Gene introduced me to Hal Todd, who was looking for someone to step into Norm Bremer’s role after his passing and help represent Todd, Bremer & Lawson outside of Rock Hill. Interestingly, Winthrop University was Todd, Bremer & Lawson’s very first client, and that opportunity became my start in the credit and collection industry.
What is your career highlight so far?
Serving on the national Board of Directors for ACA International is the greatest honors of my career. I have been fortunate to serve alongside outstanding credit and collection industry leaders such as John Bedard and David Saxton, individuals whose knowledge and leadership I greatly admire. Working with people of that caliber has challenged me, taught me a great deal, and made me a better professional.
When or how are you most productive?
I am most productive when I am working with people and building relationships, whether with clients, coworkers, or credit and collection industry peers. My background in coaching taught me the importance of preparation, communication, and staying focused on long-term goals, and those habits still guide me today. I also work best when I stay organized, maintain a consistent routine, and surround myself with smarter people who challenge me to improve.
Which industry professional do you admire most?
The credit and collection industry professional I admire most is Mark Neeb. Throughout Mark’s career, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership, professionalism, and a commitment to advancing the industry through innovation, compliance, and relationship building. I have always respected the way Mark leads with integrity while earning the trust and respect of colleagues across the industry.
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
Communication. The ability to clearly explain complex issues, build consensus among diverse stakeholders, and advocate effectively at both the institutional and credit and collection industry level has been one of the strongest drivers of my success. Whether working with public universities, community colleges, private colleges, seminaries, trade schools, policymakers, clients, or industry peers, I focus on ensuring people feel informed, heard, and aligned toward practical solutions.
What do you like most about this industry?
What I enjoy most about the credit and collection industry is its ever-changing complexity and the constant challenges it presents. The industry continues to evolve through changes in technology, compliance, consumer expectations, and business partner needs, which keeps the work both interesting and rewarding. I have always appreciated that success in this industry requires adaptability, strong relationships, and a willingness to keep learning.
What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
One thing I wish I could change about the credit and collection industry is the negative perception that sometimes exists about third-party collection agencies. We are very much in the consumer service business, helping people resolve financial obligations while treating them with dignity and respect. I believe the industry deserves greater recognition for the important role it plays in supporting both consumers and creditors.
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
If I weren’t in the credit and collection industry, I’d likely be working on my own farm in Montana. The appeal is the independence, the connection to the land, and the opportunity to build something meaningful with my hands through hard work and stewardship.
Describe a typical work day.
I usually start my day with breakfast at Ebenezer Grill, where a lot of “solving the world’s problems” takes place over grits and eggs. From there, every day is different. Todd, Bremer & Lawson is a small third-party collection agency, so everyone wears multiple hats. A typical day can include client communication, compliance and regulatory discussions, operational problem-solving, credit and collection industry advocacy, and helping public universities, community colleges, private colleges, seminaries, and trade schools navigate complex recovery issues. The variety keeps the work engaging and reinforces the importance of adaptability and teamwork.
What is your guilty pleasure?
My guilty pleasure is college basketball, especially during March Madness. Having spent so many years coaching and working in athletics, I still enjoy following the game closely and watching great teams compete. I can still spend hours watching games, talking basketball, and reliving old coaching stories with friends who still coach today.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
One of the best pieces of advice I have ever received was that you can outwork people who may be smarter or more talented than you are. That lesson stayed with me throughout my coaching career and later in the credit and collection industry, where preparation, persistence, and effort make a tremendous difference. I have always believed that hard work, consistency, and treating people the right way will create opportunities for success.
What are you currently reading?
I am currently reading “John Adams” by David McCullough. What I enjoy most about the book is the way McCullough tells the story through the personal letters exchanged between John Adams and his wife, Abigail, which gives the reader a much deeper and more personal perspective on their lives and the founding of our country. The book does an outstanding job of showing Adams not only as a statesman and patriot, but also as a husband, father, and a human being.
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you?
One fact I’d like everyone in the credit and collection industry to know is that advocacy has been a central focus of my professional service and leadership. Niel Welborn served on ACA International’s Council of Delegates from 2019 through July 2024, was recognized as ACA International’s 2024 Advocacy Champion, and was elected to ACA International’s national Board of Directors at the 2025 Council of Delegates meeting. My work has centered on advancing public policy advocacy for public universities, community colleges, private colleges, seminaries, and trade schools.
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
I would love to hear from David Saxton and John Bedard. Serving on the ACA International national Board of Directors has been one of the greatest honors of my career, and I have been fortunate to work alongside outstanding credit and collection industry leaders like David and John. Their knowledge, leadership, and professionalism have taught me a great deal and helped shape me both personally and professionally.
