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Jody Bellflower came to collections in a very indirect way; he used to be a professional golfer. Now a vice president ay CBA of Georgia, Bellflower spends more time putting out fires with clients than putting. Always anxious to learn and always willing to take time to talk shop, Bellflower is exactly the type of person who personifies the best of the collections industry. Read on to learn more about him.
Name: Jody Bellflower
Company: CBA of Georgia
Length of time at current company: 9 years
Length of time in industry: 9 years
How did you get your start in the industry? Began with CBA of Georgia as a sales rep and client services. I played professional golf for 15 years so it was a big transition to be inside.
What is your career highlight so far? The friendships I have made with clients.
Which industry professional do you admire most? John Bedard.
What is one thing you do better than everyone else? Definitely not putt. I make every effort to provide my clients what they need when they need it. We get many compliments on our agency’s service.
When or how are you most productive? I like early in the mornings or on weekends. I can get at my desk and lock in without any distractions. A little Pandora radio in the background (James Taylor Station).
What do you like most about this industry? Change. So as you can imagine I am happy as can be right now.
What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry? Image. A few bad agencies have stereotyped the rest of us. Most provide a valuable service to the clients and do so as an extension of their business office. Our priority is in recovery and do so by maintaining customer relations.
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing? Probably something in the golf industry.
Describe a typical work day. Drop kids off at school and at my desk by 7:30. Answer/read emails, make a few phone calls and meet with the collectors for strategy sessions. Make a post office run and then I will call on a my clients or answer report requests. I usually leave the office around 5:30. From there, it’s off to a ballfield somewhere to coach or watch.
What is your guilty pleasure? Probably online “window shopping.” I will load up a cart and never press checkout.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received? When I moved up in our company and took on a supervisor’s roll, I had a client tell me, “Don’t make too much change, too fast.” Always include your staff in the decision making so that they will buy in and work harder for you.
What are you currently reading? BassMaster Magazine. My short attention span prevents me from sitting down long enough to read anything. I like to be on the go!
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you? Probably that I played professional golf. I’m not trying to brag, but I competed at the highest level in my sport. I appreciate the results that come from hard work and the sacrifices a person must make to reach a goal.
Who else would you like to see answer these questions? Roger Medlin, Executive Director Georgia Collectors Association.
