Commercial Collection Agencies of America is proud to announce the appointments of Mike Thelen and Will Lund to the Independent Standards Board effective immediately.

Both Mr. Thelen and Mr. Lund were recently approved to join the esteemed board, which is charged with the creation, review and amendment of certification requirements met by each collection agency member to earn Commercial Collection Agencies of America’s Certificate of Accreditation and Compliance. The Standards Board meets periodically throughout the year to achieve its goal.

“Most assuredly, the unique skillset of each gentleman will be a marked benefit to the Independent Board, which has crafted the superior certification program in the industry, considered the platinum standard,” noted Annette M. Waggoner, Executive Director of Commercial Collection Agencies of America.

Mr. Thelen is the Director of Enterprise Customer Financial Services at Land O' Lakes, Inc, as well as its subsidiary Land O’Lakes Finance Company. He is on the advisory board (and past Chairman) of both the National Manufacturers Deduction Resolution Group and the National Food, Health and Beauty Care Credit Group.

“Mike’s appointment to the Standard Board is a great asset for the association, bringing both a wealth of knowledge from the order to cash discipline and a wealth of experience spanning across both supply chain and industry specific value points. With Mike’s experience, the board continues to provide thought leadership and a customer centric focus in the delivery of key operational standards that exceed order to cash requirements. We are extremely pleased to have Mike join in this capacity,” commented Matt Skudera, Standards Board Vice Chair and President/Chief Operating Officer of Credit Research Foundation.

Mr. Lund is an attorney who held the position of Maine's Superintendent of Consumer Credit Protection for more than thirty (30) years. In that role, he administered that state's Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. His office applied for and received from the FTC (later, the CFPB) the only "exemption" from the federal FDCPA ever granted to any state. He served as a member and chair of the Federal Reserve Board's Consumer Advisory Council. He is a former president of the North American Collection Agency Regulatory Association, and the National Association of Consumer Credit Administrators.

“Will brings decades of experience and a new perspective to the Standards Board. His keen intellect and industry knowledge have already proven to be invaluable during his short time on the Board. Given our charge and the work before us, thoughtful discussion and careful deliberation by each member is critical. Will is uniquely qualified to fill this role and we are thrilled to welcome him as our newest member of the Standards Board., “commented Christine Hayes Hickey, Standards Board Chair and President/Managing Partner of Rubin & Levin, PC.