Member Spotlight: Fuel Your Passion for Learning

It's no exaggeration to say that credit managers are financial "busy bees," always jumping from task to task—whether reviewing credit applications, collaborating with sales to extend credit or making routine customer visits. And the responsibilities continue to grow as advancements in technology and artificial intelligence (AI) increase. To remain successful in their field, credit professionals must increase their knowledge and sharpen their credit skills by earning designations through NACM's six-level Professional Certification Program.

Chantelle Rottle, CBF, CCRA, regional credit manager at North Coast Electric Company (Auburn, WA) has done so by earning her Credit Business Fellow (CBF) designation as a means to further her education and career in credit. "I earned my CBA designation in 2018 and at the time I wasn't necessarily looking to continue with my education with NACM as the advanced designations felt out of reach for me," she said. "However, as I grew in my career and then with the economy change during and after the pandemic, we were dealing with less-than-ideal circumstances, and I wanted to have a better understanding of what our options are for the company and the customer from a legal and collection standpoint, so I decided to enroll in the NACM business law and credit law courses to obtain my CBF designation."

One of the biggest challenges Rottle faced in obtaining her CBF designation was balancing a full-time career and being a mother of two. "Having the extra time to complete the courses and study was a struggle, but the journey is worth the success," she said. "My successes in the certification program include personal growth, a promotion to regional credit manager in July 2022 and earning my CCRA designation at Credit Congress in June 2023. Now, I've earned my CBF designation."

To successfully pass each course, Rottle encourages students to reread the text and take advantage of the CBF exam review, which can be found in the NACM Credit Learning Center (CLC). "I would encourage any credit professional who is looking for a better understanding of credit law and business law to take the courses. There is a lot to be learned."

For more information about each designation within NACM's Professional Certification Program, visit our website.