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.
There are people who are born into the ARM industry. There are people who fall into the ARM industry because they need a job. And then there are people like Mike Brunken, who was offered a position, did his research, chose to start working in the ARM industry, and has never left. Just as Mike is happy he chose the ARM industry, the industry is happy that it was chosen by Mike. Read on to learn more about Mike, his love of cycling, and why problems are never problems for him.
Name: Mike Brunken
Current Role/Job Title: VP of Operations
Company: Nettel USA Inc., a member of the Sunrise Family of Companies
Length of time at current company: 18 years
Length of time in industry: 18 years
How did you get your start in the industry?
I was working as a project manager in software development and my role was being moved to another location. Rick Doane, president of Nettel, reached out to me and asked if I would be interested in helping to grow their young company. After doing some research on the collections and call center industries, I decided to accept the position.
What is your career highlight so far?
The fact that Nettel USA is a relatively small company and we compete with some of the largest players in the first party collections space is something that I take a lot of pride in. Our clients, big and small, appreciate our innovation, flexibility, quality and high performance.
When or how are you most productive?
I am most productive when faced with a specific challenge. Whether it be a problem, new idea or anything in between, developing a solution and refining it is what drives me.
Which industry professional do you admire most?
The Doane Family. They’ve built the Sunrise Family of Companies which is approaching 50 years in the collection industry. From humble beginnings, they developed an organization that provides services to some of the largest creditors in the country.
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
Not sure I’m the best at this but following up on the details is what I do. My project management skills come out all the time. My goal is to make sure nothing ever falls between the cracks.
What do you like most about this industry?
It’s not static or routine. Come up with a solution to a challenge and another opportunity presents itself. It certainly keeps things fresh.
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What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
If the regulations had more clarity and were in line with modern approaches and technology, I think everyone would be better for it. That SMS is not clearly considered allowable for legitimately collecting debts is ridiculous.
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
I’d be working in the cycling industry in some capacity.
Describe a typical work day
I get to the office before 7:30. My first task is reviewing the results of the prior day and sending guidance to the production managers for the coming day. After that, I’ll do some deeper analysis and check in on any projects that are underway.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Junk candy. I watch what I eat and stay fit, but when faced with gummy bears, M&Ms, etc., I buckle.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
The president of the first company that I worked for would say “problems are opportunities”. I may not use the phrase, but that is how I approach every challenge that I am faced with.
What are you currently reading?
I just finished “Red Notice: A True Story of High Finance, Murder, and One Man’s Fight for Justice” by Bill Browder which was recommended by a prior subject of Getting to Know…
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you?
I am an avid cyclist, not sure if this is a guilty pleasure or a way of life. I spend most of my free time mountain biking the awesome trails on Long Island and beyond. Long Island is a flat sandbar, but we have over 200 miles of singletrack trails.
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
David King at Number Sentry
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