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.
Scott Tacke wants you to know that compliance officers can be funny. It might not seem like it these days, especially thanks to Regulation F, but sense of humor are not automatically erased when someone crosses over to the compliance side of the building. While admitting what he likes most about working in this industry is the same thing that keeps him awake at night, Scott nonetheless approaches his work with passion and enthusiasm. Read on to learn more about Scott, why less is more when it comes to talking, and the similarities between football and collection compliance.
Name: Scott Allan Tacke
Job Title: Director of Compliance
Company: Kansas Counselors, Inc.
Length of Time at Current Company: Currently, seven years. I’ve been with the company a total of 15 years.
Length of Time in Industry: It will be 32 years in January. (I choked on my coffee after reading that!)
How did you get your start in the industry?
I began as a first-party collector for Montgomery Ward credit card accounts (Now I really feel old!). During my brief stint, I heard all manner of stories about the difficulty of third-party debt collection, but also heard that the money could be lucrative, and both of these rumors piqued my curiosity. I answered a job advertisement for medical receivables not long after and the rest is history.
What is your career highlight so far?
Over the past few decades, I have had my fair share of accomplishments and achievements of which I’m proud. Currently, assisting my company reach a confident level of compliance with Regulation F would be a highlight. Check back in a few months though, that may change. 😉
When or how are you most productive?
I’m a morning person. Give me a pot of black coffee and turn me loose on the day! I enjoy having the challenge at hand presented to me with all pertinent information, and our objective clearly stated. After that, I’m ready to climb any obstacle.
Which industry professional do you admire most?
Honestly, there are too many to name. Our industry is truly populated with a great number of innovative and thoughtful minds. I have a great deal of respect and admiration for Michael Klutho. I have found his insight and advice to be invaluable over the course of my career. I’d also name Dennis Barton as well. The vision, wit and humor he brings to many of the issues we all deal with is particularly refreshing.
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
I like to think my penchant for the written word is my strongest asset.
What do you like most about this industry?
What I like most about our industry is the constant change. There is never a dull moment in debt collection and nothing can be taken for granted. Paradoxically, this is the same thing that gives me fits and keeps me wide awake at night! LOL
What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
I wish I could remove all ambiguity from the laws and regulations that govern our industry. I firmly believe that the greatest majority of my colleagues and peers strive to adhere to the mandates we’ve been given. Unfortunately, there is an equal but opposite interpretation to most of the stipulations we make efforts to follow or implement. Like pass interference or the definition of a catch in football, what seems clear and obvious doesn’t always turn out to be the case.
Describe a typical work day.
E-mails and return telephone calls to start. From there, I prefer to stick with the blueprint I’ve designed for the day (Drafting policies and procedures, client letters, e-mails, answering attorney correspondence, etc.). I typically have specific ‘construction’ plans for each project I’m undertaking and work to manage my time accordingly to see them all accomplished. I still try to stay flexible enough to fight any fires that might ignite throughout the day, collaborating whenever possible to make certain our plans go according to design.
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
Either mountain biking or studying for the bar exam.
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What is your guilty pleasure?
Writing poetry.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
I once had a manager remark that “The more words you use, the more people you lose.” I’ve found this to be true in both personal and professional settings (especially when communicating with consumers). Verbal frugality is not a practice that comes easy to me, but I always do my best to keep this adage in mind.
What are you currently reading?
You mean beside Regulation F? LOL I am currently rereading “Anna Karenina“.
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you?
Despite being in compliance, I have a terrific sense of humor!
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
Amy Lewis-Canady.
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