I.C. System Sends Key Executives to Washington, D.C. for Industry Fly-in

Two key executives from I.C. System, a privately owned debt collection agency based in St. Paul, Minnesota, attended an industry event in Washington, DC, intended to build awareness and support for improvements in industry legislative terminology.

The “Fly-in” trip to Capitol Hill was held on November 1st & 2nd, 2011, and is part of ACA International’s advocacy efforts to modernize and clarify the wording of collections industry legislation such as the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). The laws govern debt collection practices in the United States of America. They have become increasingly outdated and provide little clarity with respect to the use of such technologies as cell phones and the internet.

One specific effort being lobbied for is the passage of H.R. 3035, a proposed amendment to the TCPA which would allow more equitable treatment of cell phones and land lines.

“Hopefully we can help make a difference and get some of these outdated things changed,” said Mike Dunn, Chief Operating Officer of I.C. System, “I have been lucky enough to participate twice with the ACA trip to DC and I am impressed with how accommodating our elected officials offices’ are. I guess they work for us so they better be! The second trip was no less awe inspiring than the first.”

Mike Dunn was joined by Mary Guthrie, I.C. System Vice President as well as 40 other collections industry professionals in this effort to further educate policy makers and politicians about the industry and its challenges.

“This was a great opportunity to see our government in action. I was encouraged by the knowledge of the issues and the receptiveness to our concerns shown by everyone we met,” said Mary Guthrie, I.C. System Vice President, “I.C. System is continuing to do its part to encourage transparency and clarity in all aspects of our industry.”

I.C. System, a privately owned company founded in 1938, provides accounts receivable management services for 20,000 clients within many industries, including healthcare, financial services, retail, utility, and communications. Headquartered in St. Paul, I.C. System has offices in Iowa, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.

ACA International, the Association of Credit and Collection Professionals, is the comprehensive, knowledge-based resource for success in the credit and collection industry. Founded in 1939, ACA brings together more than 5,000 members worldwide, including third-party collection agencies, asset buyers, attorneys, creditors and vendor affiliates.