In terms of the most insightful advice, what Tim Hollis learned while working on construction might be the most insightful of all. You’ll have to read on to hear it firsthand from Tim, who owes just about everything he’s accomplished in the industry to a restaurant that went out of business. Tim’s answer about what he’d like to change in the industry is also refreshing. Read on to learn more about Tim and why he was born to run.
Name: Timothy D. Hollis
Company: TDH Consulting
Length of time at current company: 8 Years
Length of time in industry: 32 Years
How did you get your start in the industry?
After attending The Ohio State University, I was a general manager at a restaurant. The franchise went out of business and I received a nice severance package. I proceeded to spend my summer playing golf almost every day and pursuing my guilty pleasure since he was on his “Born in the USA” tour. After the summer was over and my money almost gone, I decided that I needed to get serious about finding a job. The first job I applied for was a blind advertisement for a small medical collection agency. I was hired and the rest is history.
What is your career highlight so far?
I have been successful working on both the creditor side and the agency side of the business. Now I am fortunate enough to get to consult on both the creditor side and the agency side of the business.
When or how are you most productive?
I am the most productive when I have a seemingly impossible deadline to meet.
Which industry professional do you admire most?
There are a number of industry professionals that have influenced me along the way. Luckily, not only has each of them been instrumental to me professionally, I can also call each of them a friend:
- Irv Pollan, NCC Business Services
- Jim Peacock, Delta Outsource Group
- Jim Neary, FBCS
- RC James, Accutrac
- Thom Majka, DebtNext
- James Lawson, Formerly with GE
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
I have a unique understanding of both the creditor side and the agency side of the business.
What do you like most about this industry?
I like the wonderful people that I have met in the industry.
What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
It’s funny that I remember attending conferences and being treated as if I was a celebrity when I was the decision-maker on the creditor side of the business. When I was in sales on the Agency side, people ran from me.
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
It is hard to say – I cling to this industry as a consultant because I don’t want to do anything else.
Describe a typical work day.
I am very fortunate that my work day differs every single day due to the number of hats I wear. Most of my time is spent preparing or summarizing agency/attorney audits but I also spend time in sales on various projects and consult for both creditors and collection agencies.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Chasing Bruce Springsteen around when he and his band are on tour.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
When I was in college, I worked construction in the summer. I was painting a bathroom and my boss said “make sure you do a good job because you never know who will be sitting here someday wondering who did such a good job.” That carries over to anything you do.
What are you currently reading?
I recently read Bruce Springsteen’s Biography.
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you?
There is nothing like being an identical twin!
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
- Irv Pollan, NCC Business Services
- Jim Peacock, Delta Outsource Group
- Jim Neary, FBCS
- RC James, Accutrac
- Thom Majka, DebtNext
- James Lawson, Formerly with GE