Brett Soldevila came to the ARM industry nearly five years ago with somewhat of a singular purpose: to help Security Credit Services become a certified company by DBA International (now the Receivables Management Association). Nearly five years later, Soldevila is a board member for RMA and one of the industry’s most respected members. Perhaps his current career isn’t as far from a former plan to become an agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation as it sounds. Read on to learn more about Brett.
Name: Brett Soldevila
Company: Security Credit Services, LLC
Length of time at current company: 4+
Length of time in industry: 4+
How did you get your start in the industry?
My company was looking for a Chief Compliance Officer to expand on their compliance function and lead the initiative for becoming a DBA certified company. My prior experience in public accounting and internal audit made for a fairly smooth transition given the similarities in professions. I was also excited to relocate to my alma mater’s hometown (Oxford, Mississippi, home of the University of Mississippi).
What is your career highlight so far?
Being elected as a board director for the Receivables Management Association International (RMA) was a great honor.
Which industry profession do you admire most?
I don’t have just one person that comes to mind. Our industry is fortunate to have a great number of very competent individuals.
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
Stating that I do something better than anyone else seems naive. Perhaps believing that someone else can do it better drives me to work harder.
When or how are you most productive?
Compliance is ongoing so I have to keep productivity fairly consistent throughout the day to stay ahead.
What do you like most about this industry?
Lack of monotony. While the constant changes in our environment can be frustrating, I enjoy new challenges.
What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
Lack of unity in addressing key issues among industry participants
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
I gave a lot of thought to joining the FBI in college and early in my career. It’s a bit late in the game to make that move, but it’s a profession that has always interested me.
Describe a typical work day.
Planning to accomplish a certain list of tasks but constantly having other more pressing tasks put on my desk. No day is the same.
What is your guilty pleasure?
My wife would say trying to do too much in the day. I try to get in as much as possible on weekends – golfing, fishing, other sports/outdoor activities. I never get away with it but I still try.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Some simple advice my dad has given on occasions is to “be prepared,” which I interpret as looking ahead and factoring in the unexpected.
What are you currently reading?
Just finished “Shoe Dog” and starting on “Mississippi Blood.” Greg Iles is one of my current favorites. I don’t have much spare time at home so most of my reading is done when traveling. The current nightly bedtime book (3 boys) is the Action Bible.
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you?
Tough one. My most unique resume builder may have been my stint as a bus driver for a white water company in Jackson, Wyoming during a college summer.
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
To avoid having to single out anyone, any of the RMA board members