Leslie Bender Installed as President of ACA International

Coast Professional, Inc., a leading provider of revenue cycle services to the higher education marketplace, is pleased to announce the installation of its General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, Leslie Bender, as the 2013-2014 President of ACA International, the Association of Credit and Collection Professionals (ACA).

Ms. Bender became ACA’s President during the association’s 74th annual convention in San Diego, California. “I am honored and humbled to lead ACA International as we look forward in reshaping the environment of consumer debt collection,” said Bender. “My priorities include strengthening industry compliance and actively growing our association’s advocacy at the national, state and local levels.”

Ms. Bender is the first attorney elected to the office, and the fourth female President of ACA International, preceded by Linda Russell (1991/92), Nancy Borgen (2001/02), and Karolyn Rubin (2009/10). Ms. Bender’s natural disposition toward leadership meshes exceptionally well with the corporate culture of Coast Professional, where fully half of the executive leadership team are women.

“We could not be more thrilled with Ms. Bender’s election,” said Everett Stagg, President of Coast Professional. “Her guidance and leadership have been an enormous asset to Coast, and I have no doubt she will have a distinguished term as the President of ACA International.” Brian Davis, CEO of Coast, concurred. “Ms. Bender is a natural choice for the office,” said Mr. Davis. “There are few leaders in the collection industry who can match her intelligence and breadth of knowledge, particularly in the area of compliance, which is a critical part of this business.”

ACA International  is the comprehensive, knowledge-based resource for success in the credit and collection industry. Founded in 1939, ACA brings together 5,000 members worldwide, including third-party collection agencies, asset buyers, attorneys, creditors and vendor affiliates. The association establishes ethical standards; produces a wide variety of products, services and publications; and articulates the value of the credit and collection industry to businesses, policymakers and consumers.

Coast Professional, Inc. focuses exclusively on the servicing and collection of educational receivables. Since 1976, Coast has worked closely with clients to increase recoveries by assisting borrowers in resolving their financial obligations. With offices in West Monroe, Louisiana and Geneseo, New York, Coast’s focus on education is exemplified by higher than average recoveries, superior consumer and client service, and dedication to compliance.