Member Spotlight: Striving for Excellence

​Obtaining certifications has become one of the most efficient ways to get started in or level up in your career. Credit professionals who go beyond the standard when earning their designation have the chance to earn a Designation of Excellence Award, created to honor designation holders at four distinct levels: the Credit Business Associate (CBA), Certified Business Fellow (CBF), Certified Credit and Risk Analyst (CCRA) and Certified Credit Executive (CCE). Each honoree has an unrelenting pursuit of excellence through enhanced and improved knowledge. Equally important is the desire to share that knowledge through speaking, teaching or mentoring.

Spencer Bakerink, CBF, Credit Analyst at Helena Agri-Enterprises LLC (West Des Moines, IA), is the 2024 recipient of the CBF Designation of Excellence Award. Earning the CBF gave him personal satisfaction and showed dedication to the credit profession. "It allowed me to gain specialized knowledge and enhance my creditability with my peers," Bakerink said. "It also allowed me to network with other credit professionals and ask questions about their experiences."

The support Bakerink got from his upper management was paramount in his success. "Just like in everything else in life, you have to prioritize what is important," Bakerink said. "It was important for me to make the time for NACM and my profession. I was honored to earn the CBF Designation of Excellence and was quite surprised! I am currently working towards other designations within NACM and hope to obtain all of them available."

💡Study Tips: Take detailed notes from the prep courses and study guides and try to practice them in your day-to-day work. "It was easy once I was able to relate the material to hands-on events I had on the job. Dive right in. Whether it be the online courses, designation programs or local NACM meetings get involved."

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