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If you are having a conversation with Matt DiPoalo and he isn’t responding to you, it’s likely because of one of two reasons. Either he’s making a conscious effort to apply some sage wisdom and make sure he is listening to you and hearing what you are saying, or it’s because he has significant hearing loss in one ear and just didn’t hear you. Both have helped him hone his ability to ask good questions. Read on to learn more about Matt, what food he is rarely ever able to turn down, and how being a pitcher taught him to be adaptable.
Name: Matt DiPoalo
Job Title: Director – Agency Network
Company: Velocity
Length of time at current company: 10 years
Length of time in industry: 10 years
How did you get your start in the industry?
It may sound surprising, but I didn’t grow up aspiring to work in receivables management. Shortly after graduating from college, I applied for a paralegal position at Velocity and interviewed with our President, Jim Mastriani.
What stood out was that it wasn’t a typical interview. Jim had a way of making you feel comfortable and welcomed from the start. He did an excellent job explaining Velocity’s culture, values, and work environment, and that left a lasting impression on me. I remember leaving the interview feeling like it was a place where I could build a career and grow professionally.
What is your career highlight so far?
I think it’s difficult to point to a single career highlight because there have been so many meaningful experiences along the way. What I am most proud of over the last 10 years is earning the trust of our clients, partners and colleagues. I’m proud of the relationships I’ve developed throughout the industry and the opportunity to work alongside so many talented people. The best part is that I still feel like the biggest highlights are still ahead of me.
When or how are you most productive?
I feel like I’m most productive in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines. I think that mindset goes back to my days as a pitcher. When you’re on the mound, you’re in control, but you also have to be ready to adjust and adapt with every pitch. The same principle applies to my work today.
Which industry professional do you admire most?
That’s a really tough question to answer. In addition to having tremendous respect for our executive leadership team, I’ve been fortunate to build strong relationships with people like Howard Barnard, Joel Bernheim, and Joe Barbito throughout my career.
Over my 10 years at Velocity, they have been colleagues, clients, mentors, and friends. What I admire most is not only their professional success and industry knowledge, but also the relationships they build and the way they treat people. We’ve always shared a great friendship that extends well beyond work.
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
I don’t know if there’s any one thing I do better than everyone else. What I do take pride in is my willingness to learn, adapt and continuously improve. I try to learn something new every day, whether it’s about our industry, our partners or our business. My goal is always to give my best effort and do whatever I can to help move Velocity forward and contribute to our continued success.
What do you like most about this industry?
What I enjoy most about this industry is that it is constantly evolving. There is always something new to learn and a new challenge to tackle. Whether it’s changes within Velocity, developments across our servicer network, or shifts in the regulatory landscape, no two years are ever the same.
The dynamic nature of the industry keeps the work interesting and rewarding, and it continually pushes us to adapt, innovate, and find new ways to succeed.
What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
If I could change one thing about this industry, it would be its overall reputation. The receivables management industry is filled with dedicated, hardworking professionals who genuinely care about helping consumers and businesses navigate challenging situations.
I’ve had the opportunity to work with so many talented people throughout the industry, and it’s unfortunate that the actions of a few or common misconceptions can sometimes overshadow the positive work being done every day.
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
If I weren’t in this industry, I would have loved to being doing something in the sports world. Sports have had a tremendous impact on my life, both personally and professionally.
Whether it would be working as an agent, a radio host, or a TV personality, I think being able to combine my career with something I genuinely love would have been amazing.
Describe a typical work day.
I don’t think the words “typical” and “workday” really go together in my world — and that’s exactly why I love what I do. No two days are ever the same, and I would be lost if I were doing the same thing day after day.
One day might be focused on a new project, another on collaborating with our network, and the next on onboarding a new vendor. It’s a fast-paced environment that is constantly evolving, and that variety is what keeps me motivated. The opportunity to solve new challenges and work with different people every day is what makes this role so rewarding for me.
What is your guilty pleasure?
With the last name DiPoalo, I have a hard time turning down a slice of pizza — or two. It’s definitely my guilty pleasure — if there’s pizza involved, my willpower usually doesn’t stand a chance.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
The best advice I’ve ever received came from a wise mentor who told me, “If your mouth is moving, you’re not learning.”
That simple statement has stayed with me throughout my career. Whether I’m on a performance call, attending client meetings, or networking at a conference, I make a conscious effort to listen, ask meaningful questions and learn from the people around me.
What are you currently reading?
I recently picked up “Freddie and Me“, a true story that explores the mentorship between a young man and a longtime caddie master at Augusta National. As someone who enjoys the game of golf, I’ve found it to be a great read that offers unique insights into learning the game, its traditions, and the impact a mentor can have on a person’s life.
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you?
One fact people may not know about me is that I have significant hearing loss in one ear. So, if we’re ever at a conference, networking event, or other loud social gathering and I don’t respond right away, I’m not ignoring you—I simply did not hear you! Apologies in advance, I do say “what” a lot.
And before anyone asks, yes, I’m working on getting hearing aids!
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
Ethan Dukes! Crown Asset Management.
