The stories we carry: 129 years of credit community

Years ago, while working for an electrical wholesale supplier, Shane Inglesby, CCE, corporate credit manager at Geneva Rock Products (Salt Lake City, UT), was required to attend an industry trade group meeting. Inglesby, who was new to the profession, had not yet been introduced to NACM, but after attending the meeting, he developed a relationship with the organization that would span his decades-long credit career.  

“I knew absolutely nothing about industry trade group meetings,” Inglesby said. “I went into the meeting like a deer in headlights. I learned it was a supportive group, and the administrator was an amazing help. She took me under her wing and helped me understand the credit reports we were looking at, and I’ve been attending industry trade groups ever since.” 

In the 129 years since its formation, NACM has been an invaluable resource to credit managers across industries, whether they’ve just started their first job in credit or they’re working inwith the position they’ve held for years. Individuals connect with NACM in all sorts of ways, from trade credit groups, earning a certification through one of the six Professional Certification Program or thought leadership forums with fellow credit professionals.  

For members like Kyle Kern, CBA, AR specialist at Outdoor Research (Seattle, WA), the educational opportunities provided by NACM are the biggest draw. “I love education, I love the academic aspect of work and life,” Kern said. “As soon as I found out that there was a resource where I could find webinars and classes, I immediately turned into a sponge, taking in as much information as possible and joining every webinar that sounded interesting.” 

Brittany Yvon, CBA, CICP, credit and risk manager at Seaboard International Forest Products (Nashua, NH), was introduced to NACM through her father, who had been a member for years. After joining at the start of her career, Yvon found education and connecting with others was vital to her as she grew in the credit field.  

“Webinars, workshops and conferences through NACM have helped me keep up to date on industry trends, legal updates and best practices, and it’s all from more experienced credit professionals,” Yvon said. “As a newer credit manager, just talking to seasoned credit managers, in almost a mentor-mentee relationship, has helped me grow in my career.” 

As members become more involved in NACM and the myriad professional development opportunities, they quickly develop a larger dedication and passion not only for their career in credit, but also their role within the organization, both locally and nationally. After attending meetings regularly, Inglesby was asked to write an article for a newsletter. 

“That was my first real introduction into the volunteer aspect of NACM, and it made me feel like I was a part of something bigger other than just attending a monthly meeting,” Inglesby said. “After that, I was invited to serve on acommittee, and I remember my first committee at my local affiliate reviewed scholarship applications from credit managers whose employers were less supportive. Again, I felt like I was a part of something bigger.” 

NACM opens up a vast professional network in which credit managers can engross themselves, with wide-ranging conversations covering every facet of the business credit world. As credit managers benefit from one another’s knowledge and experiences, they are able to not only refine their own credit practices with the advice of their industry peers but form meaningful relationships that span entire careers.  

“I owe so much to NACM, and quite honestly, I owe my current position, where I’ve been for 22 years now, directly to the networking that took place at NACM,” Inglesby said. “I’ve met lifelong friends through the classes that I’ve taken and the committees that I’ve served on. It’s a very supportive group of individuals, and I’ll be forever grateful for the opportunity I had to serve with those folks during the course of my career.”