The Stark Agency

Thursday 9/5 Agenda

9:30-10:00: Registration
10:00-10:30: Introductions and Housekeeping
10:30-11:30: Empathetic Member Service, presented by Majel Hein
11:30-12:15: Lunch
12:15-12:30: Innovation Showcase
12:30-1:30: The Dark Side of Compliance: Navigating Probate, Deceased Accounts and Elderly Fraud, presented by Stefanie Kempfer Collier
1:45-2:00: Innovation Showcase
2:00-2:45: Practical Guide to Maximizing Modern Communication Strategies, presented by Nate Kalnins
3:00-4:00: Bright Ideas Roundtable
5:30-8: Dinner Reception

Friday 9/6 Agenda

7:30-8:00 Breakfast
8:00-8:30: Stark Operational Update
8:45-9:00: Innovation Showcase
9:00-10:00: Bankruptcy Issues, Asked and Answered, presented by David Krekeler
10:15-10:45: Guided Vision Session: Creating departments built to thrive in the future
10:45-11:30: Panel Discussion: Growing Your Leadership Bench
11:30-12:15: Lunch
12:15-2:00: Burning Issues Roundtable
2:00-2:30: Conference wrap up and adjourn.

Reception and Dinner

Join us on Thursday for a private reception and dinner at the historic Memorial Union. The Union, and its lakefront terrace, are essential stops for visitors and locals alike. Enjoy good food and great companionship, with scenery that can't be beat!

Speaker Highlight: Majel Hein

Financial Education and Counseling Expert
Certified Financial Therapy Practitioner-1

Majel Hein has been a financial counselor working with financially vulnerably populations for over 10 years. Among her credentials, she is a Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor and a Certified Financial Therapy Practitioner-1™.Majel has also been appointed as Chair of the Governor’s Committee on Financial Inclusion, a sub-group of Governor Evers’ Council on Financial Literacy and Capabilities. The Council and its sub-committees serve as a sounding board for the Office of the Governor, the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), and DFI’s Office of Financial Literacy, providing guidance and taking focused actions to improve the financial education, capability, and inclusion for residents across the state of Wisconsin.

Speaker Highlight: David Krekeler

Principal
Krekeler Law, S.C.

David is the founding principal and shareholder with the firm of Krekeler Law, S.C., Madison, Wisconsin. He devotes his practice to debtor-creditor and bankruptcy matters, representing debtors, creditors, and bankruptcy trustees in cases under Chapters 7, 11, 12, and 13 of the Bankruptcy Code.He has been Board Certified in Bankruptcy Law for over 27 years. No other Wisconsin lawyer can make that claim. He is also the 2021 recipient of the John Lederer Distinguished Service Award from the State Bar of Wisconsin Solo, Small Firm, & General Practice Section.David is the author of Bankruptcy, Asked and Answered: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Bankruptcy and Financial Problems

Speaker Highlight: Stefanie Kempfer Collier

Attorney
Weltman, Weinberg & Reis Co., LPA

Stefanie shows up to work every day with two goals in mind: to be accessible to her clients and to provide creative solutions when complex issues arises. Primarily serving banks, credit unions, auto finance lenders, Stefanie focuses her practice on repossession and collateral recovery, litigation and defense, compliance analysis and review.Stefanie handles external compliance projects for clients including conducting a multi-state review of the uniform commercial code and state law for compliance related to repossession; creating a procedural manual for compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA); preparing guidance for compliance with the Unfair, Deceptive, or Abusive Acts or Practices (UDAAP) and Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FCDPA); and providing guidance for real estate mortgage lending and modification services in compliance with federal regulations. She has also provided guidance for compliance with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).

Speaker Highlight: Nate Kalnins

Chief Operating Officer
Director of Compliance
The Stark Agency

Nate joined the Stark Collection Agency in 2010, working part-time as a collector while he was a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  He now serves as Stark’s Chief Operating Officer and Director of Compliance and oversees all aspects of Stark’s operations, including strategic direction, workflow design, client education , and compliance.Nate holds the Credit and Collections Compliance Officer (CCCO) designation through ACA International and the Leadership Development Certificate through the University of Wisconsin Small Business Development Center.Nate is the current President of the Great Lakes Credit and Collection Association, and has served on the Board of Directors since 2022. In 2019, Nate was nominated for the Madison Magnet Award and the Receivables Advisor Professional of the Year award. He is passionate about improving financial literacy, particularly among youth.