Security, Productivity, and Accountability with Americollect’s SSAE 16 (SOC 2) Audit Report

Americollect completed the SOC2 examination by audit firm Schenck SC. SOC2 is a new form of Service Organization Control (SOC) reporting defined by the AICPA to enable service organizations to provide assurance to their customers in areas including security, following the retirement of the legacy SAS70 reporting standard. SOC2 allows service organizations to report on the design and effectiveness of their security policies, communications, procedures and monitoring based on detailed criteria, providing customers with enhanced security protocols to protect their mission critical systems and confidential data.

Americollect, Inc. Promotes From Within

Manitowoc, WI – December 6, 2011 – Americollect, Inc. announced three promotions at today’s company meeting.

Melissa Sack was named Customer Service Team Leader after serving as a collector and customer service representative for the last three years. Sack’s attention to detail, dedication to the team, and vast customer service experience makes her an excellent choice to lead this team. She is looking forward to the challenges that come with her promotion and will be spearheading the company’s efforts to provide exceptional customer service while anticipating the needs of all customers.

Angela Camacho was named Collection Manager after service for nearly a decade in a variety of positions including trainer, team leader, and collector.  The experience of owning her own local Manitowoc business helps her lead and coach a wide range of people and her entrepreneurial spirit is an asset to the entire team. Camacho really sees the big picture. She will be streamlining the training and development process and assisting with growth to achieve the company’s 2015 goals.

Americollect, Inc. is among insideARM.com Best Places to Work in Collection for third consecutive year!

Manitowoc, WI October, 2011. Americollect, Inc. was recently named as one of the Best Places to Work in Collections for the third consecutive year. This program was created by insideARM.com and Best Companies Group.

The company culture is what sets Americollect apart from other agencies. It’s about the team at Americollect, not the person. The entire company, from IT to Collectors, receives a bonus based upon achieving a low, medium, or high goal that the company sets for itself. Americollect has developed a reputation of excellence, with hundreds of applicants received each year.

Methodology of Selection
Companies from across the U.S. entered the two-part survey process to determine the Best Places to Work in Collections. The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated company's workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics. The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. The combined scores determined the top companies and the final ranking. Best Companies Group managed the overall registration, survey and analysis process and determined the final rankings.

Americollect is SAS70 Certified

Since the 1970’s, Statement on Auditing Standards no. 70 (SAS 70) and its predecessors have set the standard for controls at service organizations. The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) and the Auditing Standards Board (ASB) have developed new standards under the SSAE 16 but the same standard of protection is still embodied under the new standard.

Click Here to Read the full Article

Americollect, Inc. was nominated for the Large Business of the Year from Manitowoc Chamber of Commerce.

Manitowoc, WI, Americollect, Inc was a nominee for the 2010 Large Business of the Year from Manitowoc Chamber of Commerce. Although we did not win, we are very happy for Dermatology Associates of Wisconsin for their tremendous growth.

Picture of the Event

Americollect, Inc. has moved up the list of America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies—the Inc. 5000 in 2010!

Americollect, Inc. will be included in 2010 Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America. This is the second year Americollect has been included on the list. Past companies that made the list include Microsoft, Timberland, Vizio, Go Daddy, Oracle, and UnderArmour.

Americollect contributes its growth to several factors. First, their loyal clients, whose referrals have enabled Americollect’s revenue to grow 617% since 1999.  In 2009, Americollect recovered almost 14 million dollars for their clients, up from not even 2 million in 1999.  Second, Americollect’s Win-Win Collections concept, this creates consumer buy-in and reduces complaints.  In fact, complaints have been almost non-existent with Americollect.  Each year they track their complaints with the Federal Trade Commission (5 complaints )  and WI Dept of Financial Institutions (4 complaints) . President and CEO, Kenlyn Gretz encourages his collectors to treat the consumer as if they were a brother or sister.  He also believes most of the consumers are good people, just going through a tough time.  The Win-Win approach also delivers collection RECOVERY percentages well above the industry average.  Additionally Americollect places an extremely high level of importance on client questions and needs.  They consider their customer service second to none. Thank you to our clients for all their support of Americollect as we have continued our growth!

Methodology of Selection
Inc. magazine began its listing of America’s fastest growing companies back in 1979. The Inc. 5000 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth from 2005 through 2008. In order to qualify for the list, companies
must have been founded by 2005 and submit four full calendar years of sales. They must be U.S. based, privately owned, for profit, and can’t be a subsidiary or division of another company. Revenue starting in 2005 must be at least $200,000 and $2,000,000 in 2008.

AMERICOLLECT is now accredited by the Better Business Bureau!

Americollect will make a commitment to resolve any consumer complaints with the BBB. Below are the eight BBB standards that AMERICOLLECT affirms that it will abide by:

1. Build Trust
2. Advertise Honestly
3. Tell the Truth
4. Be Transparent
5. Honor Promises
6. Be Responsive
7. Safeguard Privacy
8. Embody Integrity

Americollect is PCI DSS Compliant!

Americollect is PCI DSS compliant! A few of our clients have recently asked if Americollect is PCI DSS compliant and we are. What is PCI DSS? The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a worldwide information security standard defined by the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council. The standard was created to help organizations that process credit card payments prevent credit card fraud through increased controls around data and its exposure to compromise. To put that in laymen’s terms, our credit card processing
is secure.

In 2009 and 2010 "Inc Magazine" included Americollect in its list of "5000 Top Growing Privately Held Companies in America."

Manitowoc WI May 28th, 2011 - Hiring a leader from outside one's company is very challenging and often doesn't lead to a good "cultural fit."

Those perspectives were shared by Kenlyn Gretz, president and CEO of Americollect, at Tuesday's Sail Lunch & Learn presentation titled, "Developing Your Company's Principles."

Click Here for a link to the Herald Times Article

Americollect, Inc. Receives 2010 Wellness Leadership Award

On behalf of Americollect, Inc., Julie Bruckschen, Team Development & Benefits Manager, accepted the Holy Family Memorial Hospital’s Employer’s Choice Award, at a dinner held at the Manitowoc Yacht Club on April 6th, 2011.

This award recognizes Manitowoc County Business and Industries who are champions of employee wellness. Americollect was recognized as a large company wellness leadership award recipient.

The categories included:

• Innovative wellness initiative
• Wellness leadership award
• Health improvement award

Companies were recognized as either small (1-50 employees) and large (51 or more employees) company in each category.

This was a great opportunity to network with others employers, learn key strategies of wellness success, and more. The Emcee of the event was local news station, WFRV TV’s Wendy Kuschel.

Julie Bruckschen (center), Team Development & Benefits Manager of Americollect, receives the 2010 Wellness Leadership Award from Lowell Johnson (left) General Manager, Herald Times Reporter and Dr. David Mikolyzk (right) of Lakeshore Orthopaedics.

Crystal Casavant Receives ACA Certification

Congratulations to Crystal Casavant, Americollect’s Call Center Process Manager, for passing her ACA (Association of Credit and Collection Professionals) certification test.

The 4-day Credit & Collection Compliance Officer (CCCO) Workshop is designed to provide training for credit and collection professionals with compliance responsibilities at their organization.

Topics covered in the campus ACA credentialing program included customer care strategies, how to handle disputes and complaints, documentation, how to measure risks, and more. This certification must be renewed every 12 months.

Rodell Skarda of Americollect Receives Mentor Award from Local Women in Management Group

Women In Management, Inc. is dedicated to the success of women and has a mission to further the professional development of managerial and entrepreneurial women. The local, Manitowoc chapter meets once a month at the Holiday Inn and partners with other chapters within Wisconsin as well as nationally.

At a recent meeting, the group honored Rodell Skarda of Americollect with the 2011 Woman Mentor Award. Anyone in Manitowoc County could be nominated as a mentor. The nominator had to write a brief letter explaining what makes the nominee a mentor, how does this woman improve the lives of others? How does this woman conduct herself professionally to set herself above the rests and make her a role-model for others?

Crystal J. Casavant, the Call Center Process Manager of Americollect, Inc. has worked with Rodell for nearly a decade and in her nomination letter mentioned some highlights: Rodell is supportive of her teammates, putting in the extra time to ensure her success and the success of others.

She is a busy wife; mother, grandmother, and career woman who balances it all while still finding time for volunteering in her community and helping others. Rodell is dedicated, organized, detail oriented, kind and mission minded.  Casavant stated she feels privileged to work with Skarda and is extremely proud that Skarda was chosen for the 2011 Mentor Award through the Women in Management Organization.

Skarda was honored at the May meeting and received a bouquet of roses and a plaque to recognize her achievements. Skarda said she was honored and appreciated the opportunity and all the kind words.

Manitowoc County's Future 15

Two of Americollect teammates have been honored by Manitowoc County's Future 15! Congratulations Melissa Kracht & Crystal Casavant for being chosen. This is a great honor! They will be honored at a banquet being held January 6th, 2011. Click Here to see the Letter Honoring Melissa.

Crystal Casavant writes an article for SAIL young professional network of Manitowoc Chamber of Commerce on Teammate. Here is an exert: "Many of my emails, memos, and newsletters contain the word teammate. Depending on the program I am using, my spell check doesn’t always like the combining of the words team and mate. A recent revision of the Concise Oxford English Dictionary (CCD) 11th edition proves that I am right and my spell check is wrong (don’t you love it when that happens?). The CCD shows that the following words are completely joined: icebox, handyman, repairman, firefighter, teammate, and schoolteacher. Teammate is one word representing many people. " Click Here to read the Full Article

Educating consumers her greatest satisfaction

Sarah Musial was reconized in Herald Times Reporter for her work at Americollect. Here is a sample from the article: "Musial says her greatest satisfaction is educating and helping consumers clear up their credit. She also appreciates that her position offers the ability to grow into additional leadership roles. "The flexible work schedule is great, too," says Musial. "We work Monday through Thursday and it's nice because it helps me balance home life and career." Click Here to Read the full Article

Americollect raises  funds for Haiti!

January 8th, 2010, Manitowoc, WI Americollect, Inc. is happy to announce they have raised $1180 for the Haiti Relief Fund.  $680 was donated by employees and $500 by Americollect itself.  Americollect offered to match donations dollar for dollar up to $500.  We are thrilled that we were able to help out those less fortunate than ourselves.  Click Here for More Information

Americollect is named as one of the best places to work in the Collection Industry!

Americollect, Inc. is pleased to be included in the 2009 InsideARM Best Places to Work in Collections in the United States. Americollect was ranked 4th among agencies with up to 75 employees. Click Here for More Information

Americollect, Inc. is among America’s Fastest-Growing Private
Companies

Americollect, Inc. will be included in the 2009 Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America. This is considered a high honor.
Past companies that made the list include Microsoft, Timberland, Vizio, Go Daddy, Oracle, and UnderArmour.

Methodology of Selection
Inc. magazine began its listing of America’s fastest growing companies back in 1979. The Inc. 5000 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth from 2005 through 2008. In order to qualify for the list, companies
must have been founded by 2005 and submit four full calendar years of sales. They must be U.S. based, privately owned, for profit, and can’t be a subsidiary or division of another company. Revenue starting in 2005 must be at least $200,000 and $2,000,000 in 2008.

Link to Press Release

Americollect wins Solid Growth Award

Americollect won the "Solid Growth" award from Wisconsin Corporate Report for 2008 Small Business Success Story. The determining body who selected Americollect for this award was the staff of The University of Oshkosh College of Business. This is an honor that we want to share with our many clients because of your continued support of Americollect. Because of your belief in Americollect and positive referrals to many potential clients, Americollect is able to maintain "Solid Growth." Our commitment to you is to continue to return revenue back where it belongs!

Small Business Success Story Article Link

New Building!!!

Americollect has moved into a brand new 8400 square foot home on the west side of Manitowoc! The facility was built with the newest technology in mind. The facility utilizes security entrance and tracking systems, VOIP telephone systems, internal secure wireless access points, and redundant IT networking. With 57 employees strong, the facility will more than accommodate our staff, with room to house up to 95 employees. Sitting on an additional four-acre lot, this will definitely allow us to grow as a company.

Kenlyn T. Gretz presents at the Manitowoc / Two Rivers Chamber of Commerce on "How to build a Positive Culture", the true asset of a business. Attended by 30 business leaders.

Manitowoc WI September 21st, 2007- 30 business leaders in Manitowoc, WI came to learn from Kenlyn regarding the positive culture built at Americollect.

Click Here for a link to the Herald Times Article

Blood Center of Wisconsin and Americollect Team up for the 2nd Year!

Americollect employees help give the gift of life. Often times we hear, “you can’t get blood out of a turnip!” We like to say you can get blood out of a collector!

Americollect employees continue to support the health of the community by donating blood on behalf of the Blood Center of Wisconsin. Americollect teamed up with the Manitowoc branch of US Bank for the annual Blood Drive on August 30, 2007.

Julie Bruckschen, Call Center Production Manager for Americollect led the team to another successful year. This year the Best Western in Manitowoc very graciously donated a conference room for the cause, and we are very proud to announce that we had 46 donors participate in the drive. Americollect is proud to have had 16 of its own staff members regularly donate blood.

The blood that is collected by The Blood Center of Wisconsin supports the patients and families of Holy Family Hospital in Manitowoc, Aurora in Two Rivers, St. Nicholas Hospital in Sheboygan, in addition to other hospitals in southeastern Wisconsin. Almost anyone can donate blood. It takes only one hour and with one donation, a single person can save up to three lives.

Would you like to help us next year? Email Julie@americollect.com and let us know if you donated blood during our blood drive! Maybe your office can challenge our office for the number of pints given!

Americollect Signs ACA International Healthcare Collection, Servicing, and Debt Purchasing Practices Statement of Principles and Guidelines.

Manitowoc WI February 27th, 2007- Americollect signs ACA agreement to observe all applicable laws, regulations and mandates pertaining to the processing and handling of healthcare receivables. The guidelines outline how collection agencies can better serve their healthcare provider clients and each healthcare provider’s community of patients, in a legal, ethical and professional manner.

Shawn Gretz Wins AAHAM 2006 Presidents Award!
Oshkosh WI - Americollect sales associate Shawn Gretz was awarded the President’s Award for the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management (AAHAM), which is a national professional organization of healthcare administrative management. Wisconsin's Chapter President, Judy Waydick, recently presented Gretz the award at the organization's fall banquet. The President’s Award is the highest recognition the organization has for its members.

Workplace offers healthy alternatives
Suzanne Weiss
Herald Times Reporter

MANITOWOC -- When Carol Green gets tired from sitting at her desk all day long, she can join fellow employees on a scheduled energy walk.
"To get outside in the fresh air -- even if it's cold -- is a nice break," Green said. And when her stomach starts to growl, she can choose a healthy snack from the company's vending machine.

Green is the front office receipt manager at Americollect Inc., a Manitowoc collection agency, that is among growing numbers of companies encouraging their employees to lead healthy lifestyles. "Many of the healthy ideas come from the employees themselves," said Julie Bruckschen, call center production manager and coordinator of the company's Healthy Work Environment program, now in its second year.

Click here to read full article.

Americollect's Paid Energy Walks For Employees hits the news