The Receivables Management Association International celebrated its 28th Annual Conference in Las Vegas, February 10-13, 2025. RMAI took the opportunity to present its annual awards as part of its Annual Business Meeting, recognizing leaders in the receivables management industry. RMAI’s Annual Conference is the premier event for the industry, with more than 1,500 attendees this year.
Bud Reitzel Award
The RMAI Board of Directors awarded the Bud Reitzel Lifetime Commitment Award, the industry’s highest recognition, to Jim Mastriani, President of Velocity Portfolio Group, Inc. RMAI created the Reitzel Award to recognize an individual for outstanding leadership and dedication in the receivables management industry who has demonstrated, over many years of service, the ideals that Bud modeled and believed in.
Jim Mastriani has more than 25 years of experience in the ARM industry, and served on RMAI’s Board of Directors for many years. Jim led the association as Board President for two terms, from 2020 to 2021, bringing RMAI through the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Even after his time on the Board ended, Jim continues to be heavily involved with RMAI and throughout the industry. Over the past year alone, he has made multiple trips to Washington, D.C., meeting with regulators and advocating on behalf of the industry.
“Jim embodies dedication and leadership in every sense,” said RMAI Board President Brett Soldevila. “He has been a consistently reliable force within our association, always stepping up when needed most.”
President’s Award
RMAI awarded the President’s Award to Kelly Knepper-Stephens, Chief Legal Officer for TrueAccord. She has served on the RMAI board since 2017. She has chaired the Education Committee; the Legislative Fund Committee; the Editorial & Social Media Committee; the Federal Legislative Committee; and was instrumental in forming the DEI Task Force (now the DEIB Committee). She is a regular speaker at RMAI events and on webinars, and has made countless appearances in Washington D.C. representing RMAI and advocating for the industry.
In 2017, RMAI created the President’s Award which recognizes an individual for outstanding contributions and services to the association and membership. The award goes to someone serving on an RMAI Committee who is selected because of their contribution to committee goals and their innovative ideas helping further the success of RMAI.
Integrity Award
RMAI awarded the Integrity Award to Mike Colby, who has demonstrated integrity and selflessness throughout his years as a member of the ARM industry and a supporter of RMAI. Mike has served in various roles throughout his career, most recently as a business consultant and industry expert. He is well-known as a connector of people, helping others create successful business relationships, and serving as a mentor to many in the industry. Mike has also spent many years advocating for the RMAI Legislative Fund. Under his leadership as a Director on the RMAI Board of Directors, the Committee raised record contributions for the organization.
The Integrity Award recognizes an individual from an RMAI member company for demonstrated integrity in action, either professionally or personally. The recipient of this award is an individual who has demonstrated integrity through specific actions which have contributed positively to the receivables management industry or the individual’s community.
About RMAI
Receivables Management Association International (RMAI) is a nonprofit trade association representing more than 600 companies that purchase or support the purchase of performing and nonperforming receivables on the secondary market. The RMAI Receivables Management Certification Program and Code of Ethics set the global standard within the receivables industry due to the rigorous uniform standards of best practice which focus on protecting consumers. More information about RMAI is available at www.rmaintl.org.
RMAI’s 2025 Annual Conference brings together stakeholders in the receivables management industry—welcoming attendees and exhibitors, presenting highly-respected educational programming, and numerous networking opportunities with key participants, including debt buying companies, collection law firms, collection agencies, brokers, vendors, major creditors, and international members.
