At its core, the philosophy is simple (though not always easy): listen carefully to the customer, study the processes that support them, remove what doesn’t add value, empower the people doing the work to improve it, and then repeat the cycle. Continuous improvement begins with understanding the voice of the customer.

Every organization exists to meet the needs of its customers. We may believe we know what those needs are — but there is nothing quite like sitting down and asking directly.

With that in mind, last month I had the opportunity to gather nine early- to mid-career credit professionals from our NACM BCS membership for a focus group conversation. We asked them about their experiences, what’s working well, and where we could better support them. It was an energizing, thoughtful, and incredibly constructive discussion.

Here are just a few themes we heard:

• A strong desire to better understand NACM BCS — how to engage, what resources are available, and how to get involved. One idea shared was a regularly scheduled “Orientation to NACM” for new hires at member companies.
• A clear appetite for stronger peer connections and intentional networking — potentially even quarterly gatherings.
• Interest in adding discussion time following webinars to build relationships and share practical insights.
• Demand for practical, forward-looking education on topics such as Fraud, AI, the Digital Evolution of Credit, Leadership, and even how to network effectively and build professional connections.

What struck me most was the group’s engagement. They care about this profession. They want to grow. They want to contribute. And they want NACM BCS to be part of that journey.

A sincere thank you to Chantelle Rottle, Kyle Kern, Kelsie Olmsted, Ahriel Giles, Trey Williams, Milgrace Azucena, Cassie Dochnahl, Michelle Hanson, and Bryan Bennett for generously sharing their time and insights.

This conversation is just one step in our commitment to listening well. If you have ideas, suggestions, or feedback, I would genuinely love to hear from you. As a member of NACM BCS, your voice matters — and it helps shape our future. You can reach me anytime at laurm@nacmbcs.org

Introduction of New National President

We are pleased to announce the appointment of a new President for our national association. Steve Shivak is joining our credit community as Robin Schauseil retires after 26 years leading our national effort.

If you are attending Credit Congress in June, you will have a chance to meet him personally. In the meantime, please click on the following link to learn more about him.

NACM’s New Online Community is now live!

Giving you a central place to connect, collaborate, and engage with fellow credit professionals year-round.

This new platform was built with you in mind. Designed to strengthen the connections that make NACM valuable by giving members a dedicated space to continue conversations, exchange ideas, and support one another beyond events and webinars.

Inside the community, you can:

• Ask practical questions and share your expertise with peers

• Sanity-check decisions and gain perspective from professionals facing similar challenges

• Share templates, policies, and real-world experiences

• Continue important conversations between NACM events, courses, and webinars

• Participate in the NACM Mentor Match Program as a mentor or mentee to support professional growth

Whether you’re looking for insight, discussion, or collaboration, this is your space to engage with professionals who understand the challenges and opportunities you face every day.

Simply log in using your NACM credentials, then take a moment to update your profile and communication preferences to get the most from your experience. 

Special thanks to our friends at United Tranzactions (UTA) for supporting the development of this exciting program.

Excel Database/List Management

Online Class

Tuesday, March 10, 2026 @ 8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Registration Fee $135



In this course, students will explore Excel’s powerful capabilities for database and list management. They’ll gain practical insights into setting up and managing data effectively, learning key concepts like database setup requirements, essential terminology, and data structuring techniques. Through hands-on activities, students will master sorting, filtering, and organizing records, harness the advantages of Excel data tables, and discover the potential of Pivot Tables and Pivot Charts for dynamic data analysis and visualization.

Excel: Get and Transform (Power Query)

Tuesday, March 24, 2026 from 8:00AM-12:00PM PT

Registration Fee $135

This course is designed for advanced Excel users who want to streamline their data preparation process. Are you spending too much time cleaning, organizing, and reformatting data before diving into analysis? With Excel’s Get and Transform tools (also known as Power Query), you can automate repetitive tasks such as removing unwanted rows or columns, combining data from multiple sources, and resolving layout inconsistencies—all without requiring macros or VBA.

Once configured, these transformations can be applied with a single click of the Refresh button, saving you hours of manual work. The course uses practical examples with data sources like Excel workbooks, CSV files, and text files, but the principles taught are versatile and can be applied to a wide range of data sources.

Register today for the Big Credit Event of the year.

National Credit Congress goes to St. Louis and is sure to be fully of education and networking opportunities. If you're a first timer, you will have a great experience. If you're a veteran and haven't attended since before COVID, you will find that it's time to get re-engaged in our profession. Sign up today!

Scholarships Available for Credit Congress

Do you want to attend Credit Congress but your company's budget may be a little short of money for professional education? Then turn to our scholarship offerings available through our own Business Credit Foundation. Click on the link below for guidelines and qualifications. If you seem to fit, fill out the application and we will see how we can help you.

For Credit Congress, scholarships are good for registration. You or your company have to cover travel and ancillary expenses. It's a great way to enhance your skills and development a great professional network. There are limited awards available so apply today!

Scholarship Information

Discover how AI is revolutionizing organizational operations—with a special focus on Credit Professionals. This presentation explores AI’s core capabilities, such as learning, reasoning, and pattern recognition, and demonstrates its power in automating tasks, analyzing data, and forecasting trends.

Cost: Members – FREE / Non-Members – $25

”How Credit Managers Are Using AI”

Round-Table – Open Mic Exchange

Presented by CFDD WAHIAK

MARCH 26, 2026 | THURSDAY | NOON-1:00PM-PST (1-2pmMT; 2-3pmCST; 3-4pmEST | .1 CEU’S

Discover how AI is reshaping the credit profession—today, not tomorrow. Join us for an interactive round-table / open mic exchange with credit leaders who either want to or are already embracing AI to work smarter, reduce costs, and stay ahead of the curve. Please come share your experience with others.

Discussion Topics:

• Low-Hanging Tasks You Can Automate Today
• How Non-Tech People Use AI Successfully
• Saving Time Where It Matters
• Enterprise Costs - What to Expect
• AI and the Environment

For more information or to register: RSVP: Heidi@StarRentals.com or (253) 893-2609

Special In-person Lunch and Learn

Construction Industry Education:

The Do’s & Don’ts of Bonds

Wednesday, March 11, 2026 11:30a.m. PT

Duke's Seafood, Tukwila

This special in‑person lunch & learn session is designed for combined construction‑related industry groups, bringing members together for shared learning and practical insight on an essential topic: construction bonds. While the program is tailored to construction group members, non‑group members are also welcome to attend, making this an excellent opportunity for broader industry connection and education.

The session will be presented by Attorney Ben Kelly, who will provide a clear, practical overview of construction bonds—what they are, how they work, and, most importantly, what to do (and what not to do) to protect your company’s interests.

Drawing on real‑world legal and litigation experience, this presentation will move beyond theory to focus on common pitfalls, critical timelines, and best practices that construction professionals should understand when working with bonded projects.

Members: Free (attendees are responsible for their own lunch)

Non-Member: $25

Are you trying to fill or find a position? Use our Job Center!

Take advantage of the Job Center at nacmbcs.org. If you're having trouble filling a position in your company or looking for a new job, use this opportunity to reach a lot of people!

It's easy to post an opening. Just fill out the form. After that, the most viewed part of our website will get attention to your needs. If you're looking for a job, the list of openings we know about is updated regularly.

Best of all, it's a free service that comes with membership in NACM BCS. Check it out today.

Click here for the Job Center

As the Washington State Legislature session near its conclusion, NACM's lobbyists continue to monitor and work for our members. The following report gives you a sense of what's happening at the capital and how it could impact you and your company.

Senate Passes $80 Billion Budget

Today, March 2 marks Day 50 of the 60-day legislative session, and we are now fully in the final sprint toward adjournment. The afternoon of February 28, the Senate passed its supplemental operating, capital, and transportation budgets, marking a significant milestone in the session’s final phase.

The Senate approved an approximately $80 billion operating budget on a party-line vote. No Republican senators supported the proposal.

According to majority leadership, the budget addresses the projected shortfall while maintaining core services and making targeted investments.

Republican leadership sharply criticized the proposal, citing:

• Continued spending growth
• Reliance on reserve fund transfers
• Assumptions about future revenue
• Structural dependence on the proposed income tax (SB 6346)

Among the funding mechanisms highlighted in floor debate:

• Use of unrestricted reserves
• Approximately $750 million from the Rainy Day Fund
• Transfers from other accounts, including the Public Works Fund
• Assumed revenue from the high-earner income tax

Republicans also raised concerns about growth-rate assumptions and long-term sustainability.

The House and Senate will now negotiate a final compromise budget before sending it to the governor.

Capital and Transportation Budgets Passed Unanimously

In contrast, both the capital budget and the transportation budget passed with bipartisan, unanimous support.

The transportation budget totals approximately $1.5 billion in supplemental adjustments, while the capital budget totals roughly $723 million.

The bipartisan passage of these two budgets reflects a clearer consensus around infrastructure and project delivery compared to the operating budget.

Income Tax: Central to the Final Outcome

The operating budget debate continues to revolve around SB 6346, the proposed high-earner income tax.

Key issues raised during floor debate include:

• Whether the tax is constitutionally defensible
• The use of a “necessity clause” intended to limit referendum challenges
• Long-term revenue stability
• Risk of structural expansion beyond initial thresholds

The Senate budget assumes future revenue from the income tax, while also incorporating various tax relief provisions tied to that projected revenue stream.

The political and fiscal durability of this approach remains one of the defining questions of the session.

Other Ongoing Structural Issues

Beyond Saturday’s votes, several major issues remain in play:

$100 Million Police Grant Program (HB 2015)

• Implementation delays and compliance requirements continue to generate concern among cities. Legislative relief on timelines or penalties is possible but uncertain in the short session calendar.

Child Care Subsidy Changes

• Proposed adjustments to Working Connections Child Care reimbursement remain a key savings component in budget negotiations.

State Liability Exposure

• Both chambers continue to book significant funding to cover escalating tort claims, with reform proposals still under discussion.

What Happens Next

The decisions made in the next 10 days will determine:

• Reserve fund levels
• Structural tax changes
• Long-term spending trajectory
• Infrastructure project funding
• Regulatory impacts embedded in budget language

If you would like a targeted analysis of how today’s Senate budget passage affects your organization, please reach out. With the help of Mark Gjurasic and Chet Baldwin, we remain fully engaged through adjournment and will continue to provide timely updates as final agreements take shape.

www.nacmbcs.org

800-423-5710

Serving the commercial credit profession since 1899