The “Getting to Know” series is sponsored by Applied Innovation. Applied Innovation is helping to shape the future of accounts receivable management. Product development is driven by customer feedback, agency profitability and compliance and includes platforms addressing client portal access, document management, payment negotiation, Regulation E focused electronic payment authorizations and TCPA communication authorization platforms. Partner with a company who understands your business challenges and evolves to provide cutting edge technology to overcome those challenges and achieve success.
Gina Eggebrecht isn’t afraid to be controversial — wars have been started over less than her stance on “Die Hard” — but it’s her methodical approach to her job that has helped her survive more than two decades in the ARM industry, and raising three teenagers. That methodical approach likely served her well as a homeschool teacher as it does in her job. Read on to learn more about Gina, her wicked sense of humor, and how she is ready if you ever get hit by a bus.
Name: Gina Eggebrecht
Job Title: Director of Client Operations
Company: First Collection Services
Length of Time at Current Company: 21 years (not counting the two years I moonlighted here in the late ’90s)
Length of Time in Industry: 21 years
How did you get your start in the industry?
I helped balance month-end reports at night for a couple of years before leaving the healthcare arena to come to FCS full time in late 2000.
What is your career highlight so far?
Obtaining my Credit and Collections Compliance Officer designation from ACA International – that capstone assignment, phew!
When or how are you most productive?
I’m most productive when I have a plan, deadlines, and hot coffee. I live and die by my task lists in Outlook and Microsoft Planner.
Which industry professional do you admire most?
I have a list, actually: Chris Dunkum – not just because he’s my boss; but because I’ve seen the respect people in our industry have for him, and I understand why! Also, John Bedard, Rozanne Andersen, Leslie Bender, Deb Ciskey, and Irene Hoheusle. I’ve learned so much from each of them. When they are speaking, I’m going to listen – and take copious notes!
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
I’m not better at it than anyone else, but I can write a mean set of step-by-step instructions – with screen shots. I want an “average user” to be able to sit down and run a complex process if one of our power-users gets hit by the proverbial bus.
What do you like most about this industry?
I appreciate how everyone in this industry wants to see others succeed “Here’s what works for us – maybe you could tweak it to work for your agency, too.”
What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
Like so many others, I wish I could change the general perception of collectors, collection agencies and collection attorneys. There are good people in this industry who truly care about helping the consumers while working for their clients!
Describe a typical work day.
I have three teenagers still at home, so I start the day before the sun is up convincing them to get out of bed and ready for school. I arrive at the office around 8:30 and spend the day reviewing data, handling project tasks, taking part in meetings, while also spot-checking dispute responses/client files/reports, and answering emails. I spend about an hour each afternoon in the 10th Circle of Hell … the school pick-up line (anyone who has sat in one can testify — Dante missed an opportunity here!). I try to redeem that time by taking part in phone conferences, webinars, meetings, or listening to a Manager Tools® podcast. I return to the office and work until about 6:30 each evening. I love that 90 minutes when everyone else is gone – I can dig into details in an undistracted way, wrap-up my day, and plan for tomorrow.
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
I’d probably be homeschooling my kids. When they were little, I worked from home and did just that. I loved it … except teaching long division. That was the worst.
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What is your guilty pleasure?
Peanut M&Ms, Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter, and coffee. Oh, and Sunday afternoon naps. Man, I love a good nap!
What is the best advice you have ever received?
A job done well is a job done once.
What are you currently reading?
For work: Everything I can about Reg F, and “The Effective Manager” by Mark Horstman; outside of work, “Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy” by Mark Vroegop and “Gentle and Lowly” by Dane Ortlund.
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you?
I firmly believe “Die Hard” is a Christmas movie – and I will fight you about it.
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
Leslie Bender.
The “Getting to Know” series is sponsored by Applied Innovation. Applied Innovation is helping to shape the future of accounts receivable management. Product development is driven by customer feedback, agency profitability and compliance and includes platforms addressing client portal access, document management, payment negotiation, Regulation E focused electronic payment authorizations and TCPA communication authorization platforms. Partner with a company who understands your business challenges and evolves to provide cutting edge technology to overcome those challenges and achieve success