People

Executive change:TransUnion Expands Healthcare Vertical Adding Milton Silva-Craig

2009-07-14T07:08:37-07:00

CHICAGO -- TransUnion has hired Milton Silva-Craig to serve as its healthcare vertical leader. Silva-Craig will be responsible for the strategic direction of the vertical and expanding its footprint in the healthcare market overall. He will report directly to Jeff Hellinga, president of TransUnion's U.S. Information Services division.

With more than a decade of experience in public and private healthcare settings, Silva-Craig joins TransUnion from software and services healthcare provider Technology Solutions Company, where he served as president and Chief Executive Officer. He previously served as president and Chief Operating Officer of Emageon Inc., a diagnostic imaging information technology company. He also served as an executive with GE Healthcare in its information technology business unit.

"With his strategic insight, Milton greatly complements the strength of TransUnion's healthcare group," said Hellinga. "His deep industry experience and demonstrated success in rapidly growing and sustaining high technology businesses will help with the continued progress and emerging opportunities TransUnion is pursuing in the healthcare market."

Silva-Craig holds a J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School as well as a Masters of Business Administration in international business and a Bachelor of Arts in international relations and American foreign policy both from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

About TransUnion
As a global leader in credit and information management, TransUnion creates advantages for millions of people around the world by gathering, analyzing and delivering information. For businesses, TransUnion helps improve efficiency, manage risk, reduce costs and increase revenue by delivering comprehensive data and advanced analytics and decisioning. For consumers, TransUnion provides the tools, resources and education to help manage their credit health and achieve their financial goals. Through these and other efforts, TransUnion is working to build stronger economies worldwide. Founded in 1968 and headquartered in Chicago, TransUnion employs associates in more than 25 countries on five continents. www.transunion.com/business

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Executive Change: Intrum Justitia appoints new Regional Managing Director for Switzerland, Germany and Austria

2009-07-10T07:31:19-07:00

Thomas Hutter has been appointed Regional Managing Director for Intrum Justitia in Switzerland, Germany and Austria (the Dach region).

The current Regional Managing Director for the Dach region, Benno E Oertig, will assume the position as Senior Advisor to the Group Management Team and to President and CEO Lars Wollung.

Thomas Hutter joined Intrum Justitia 15 years ago, and has since then performed a successful career within the company. He is currently responsible for all operations in the Dach region, and has also been Managing Director for Intrum Justitia’s successful operations in Switzerland and Austria.

“I would like to thank Benno E Oertig for the impressive development of Intrum Justitia’s Dach region during the last 33 years. Benno E Oertig has also been a leading entrepreneur building up the whole Intrum Justitia group to the pan European market leader within CMS. I appreciate having him onboard as a Senior Advisor”, says Lars Wollung, President and CEO of Intrum Justitia.

“I am also very happy that Thomas Hutter has accepted the position as Regional Managing Director. He has a solid track record, and has extensive experience of leadership in the CMS industry. Thomas will be valuable both as a member of our Group Management Team, and as the leader of our Dach region”, continues Lars Wollung.

Thomas Hutter will take over as Regional Managing Director as of August 3, 2009.

Intrum Justitia is Europe’s leading Credit Management Services (CMS) group and offers services designed to measurably improve clients’ cash flows and long-term profitability. Intrum Justitia was founded in 1923, has around 3,400 employees in 23 markets and revenues of approximately SEK 3.7 billion. Intrum Justitia AB is listed on Nasdaq OMX Stockholm since 2002. For further information, please visit www.intrum.com.

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Executive Change: Aspect Appoints Mike Sheridan to Executive VP of Worldwide Sales

2009-07-09T07:11:22-07:00

CHELMSFORD, Mass.– Aspect, a unified communications (UC) solutions provider, today announced that Mike Sheridan has been named executive vice president of worldwide sales reporting directly to chief executive officer, Jim Foy. In this new role, Sheridan will be responsible for providing executive leadership for all sales teams across North America, Europe, Africa, Middle East, Asia Pacific, and the Latin America regions. Previously, he served as the company’s senior vice president of strategy and marketing, driving unified communications initiatives across product management and marketing.

“Unified communications has the potential to bring significant value to organizations,” said Sheridan. “In this new role, my efforts will be focused on bringing that value proposition to our customers and prospects around the world, as well as ensuring the entire global sales organization has the tools and capabilities they need to help companies maximize their technology investments, manage costs effectively and bring the highest level of service to their own customers.”

In his previous position, Sheridan was also the executive liaison with the unified communications teams at Microsoft. This responsibility transitions to Andy Bezaitis, senior vice president of corporate development at Aspect.

“Mike has played an instrumental role in cementing the company’s UC vision and product strategy, and as a result, it was a natural progression for him to lead our global sales organization to continue to raise awareness of Aspect’s offerings in both software and services,” said Jim Foy, chief executive officer, Aspect. “He brings a deep understanding of our customers’ needs from his expertise in enterprise and contact center business processes and I am confident that his direction and guidance will continue to demonstrate Aspect’s leadership in the unified communications space.”

Sheridan brings more than 20 years of experience in communications and technology to his new role. He has been with Aspect for more than eight years in various marketing and product strategy roles. Prior to Aspect, he held a number of positions in sales and information technology at leading companies like Hewlett-Packard.

Sheridan earned a master’s degree in computer science and telecommunications from DePaul University and a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and technology from Bradley University. He currently resides in Chicago.

About Aspect
Aspect provides software and consulting services that turn the potential of unified communications into real business results across the enterprise and in the contact center. Applying 35 years of insight and experience, Aspect helps more than two-thirds of the FORTUNE Global 100, as well as small and medium enterprises, power their business processes with communications. For more information, visit www.aspect.com.

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Executive Change: Mark Goodman Joins Progressive Financial Services as Director of Education Services

2009-07-07T07:23:17-07:00

Progressive Financial Services Inc a national collection and financial services provider is proud to announce that Mark Goodman of Las Vegas, Nevada has joined the staff as the Director of Education Services. Mark joins Progressive with 30+ years collection experience, most recently as the Associate Bursar at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA (2001-2009) where he managed the Credit and Collections Unit which encompassed one of the nations largest loan portfolios including Perkins, Health Professions, Nursing and Institutional Loans along with Tuition and Fee collections, Debt Management (Federal Entrance/Exit Interviews & financial education), 3rd-Party Payments and Tuition Payment Plans.

Mark also administered the highly successful Outreach Program which entailed coordination of various business offices and schools to work with students to help them meet financial responsibilities and remain enrolled at the University (36,000 + student population) along with the Bursar Offices Orientation Team.

While at Temple University he served on numerous internal committees including Red Flag and Financial Literacy, along with NACUBO’s National 3rd Party Payment Committee.

Mark holds degrees from the College of New Jersey (BS Business Administration – Marketing) and Temple University (MS Human Resource Management) and has been an active speaker at conferences throughout the country for the past decade.

At Progressive his duties will concentrate on bringing value added services to the Higher Education client base working with the Campus Based Team.

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Executive Changes: Hubbard Systems Announces Leadership Reorganization

2009-07-06T06:54:15-07:00

Birmingham, AL – Hubbard Systems, Inc. announces the reorganization of its leadership. Margaret Hubbard is named Chairman of the Board and R. Mitchell Hungerpiller, Sr. is named its Chief Executive Officer.

Under the new leadership, the company will immediately focus on inbound call handling to its help desk, measuring system-wide performance and bug tracking, implementation of escalation procedures for all products and implementation of more precise quality control. The company will solicit a “TOP 10” list from all licensed users within seven days and will re-evaluate its priorities within 30 days, based on licensed customer feedback. Visit www.hubbardsystems.com to learn more about Hubbard Systems.

Margaret Hubbard holds an MBA from Samford University and a BA from the University of Alabama. She is a CPCU. Prior to Hubbard Systems, she worked for Mutual Assurance Society of Alabama and Attorneys Insurance Mutual of Alabama.

R. Mitchell Hungerpiller, Sr. holds a BSBA degree from East Carolina University and is an Alabama licensed CPA. He is an experienced executive serving the collection industry. Mr. Hungerpiller brings over a decade of Hubbard Systems internal experience and almost fifteen years of independent nationwide experience servicing the collections industry. To learn more about Mr. Hungerpiller visit his Linkedin site at http://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchhungerpiller.

Greg Jones, who served as CEO since 2002, has left Hubbard Systems’ management effective June 30, 2009.

Hubbard Systems, Inc. is a leading provider of debt collection software to law firms, collection agencies and financial institutions. The company provides a wide array of collections-related applications that run on a variety of platforms, including Collection Partner®, Colipso®, Partner-to-Partner® and Web Attorney Network® . These applications have been helping users increase productivity, reduce costs and collect more debt since 1983. To learn more about Hubbard Systems, contact Sharon Lewis 205.263.1510.

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Executive Change: CORESTAFF Services Appoints Robert Hubbard and Kenneth Anthony as Vice Presidents

2009-07-01T07:55:42-07:00

HOUSTON -- CORESTAFF Services (www.corestaff.com) has named Robert Hubbard as Vice President and General Manager of its Commercial Sector and National Accounts, a new role within the company. As the Commercial Sector leader, Robert will work closely with all regional general managers to drive focused gains in the company’s administrative/clerical, light industrial and professional businesses. In addition, he will work collaboratively with all regions to develop a national accounts initiative among Fortune 500 and mid-market companies across all industries. Reporting directly to President and Chief Executive Officer James Boone, Hubbard will be based out of Dallas, Texas.

Hubbard comes to CORESTAFF from a partnership role at VACO LLC, a national staffing firm headquartered in Dallas, specializing in accounting/finance, IT, training, operations and executive search. He was previously a regional Vice President at COMSYS in Houston, where he increased regional revenues from $30 million to $75 million and doubled annual revenues in the COMSYS Dallas branch. Hubbard opened several successful new branches and divisions while at Robert Half International, and ultimately grew Dallas from five to 13 branches, with 300 sales staff and $130 million in annual sales. He also held a variety of management, sales, and operations roles with Todays Staffing.

Robert is a graduate of Oklahoma State University with a Bachelors of Business Administration degree.

CORESTAFF has also named Kenneth Anthony, CPA, as Vice President, Controller, reporting to CFO Linda Philp. Anthony has more than 25 years of experience in accounting and finance, and more than 10 years of experience as a senior finance executive with profit and loss responsibility. Anthony takes over the role vacated by Steve Wieck, who retires this month from the organization after more than 12 years of service. Anthony will be based in Houston, Texas.

In his most recent position as CFO of Cadillac Jack, a $45 million gaming product manufacturer, he overhauled the finance department, resulting in $500,000 in savings and improved EBITDA by more than 10 percent. He also improved cash collections, time to produce customer invoices and increased cash flow collections by 100 percent in four months.

Anthony has also served CFO roles at Timbervest, LLC, a privately held investment management company with more than $1.5 billion in assets, and Ownership.com, a start-up customer loyalty program. His professional portfolio includes executive-level financial positions with Phillips Electronics and KMART Corporation.

Ken is a magna cum laude graduate of St. Bonaventure University with a Bachelors of Business Administration degree, and holds a Masters of Business Administration from Stanford University Graduate School of Business.

“I am pleased to bring executives of Robert and Ken’s caliber to our leadership team, and have the highest confidence their respective skills and experience will deliver rapid and positive contributions toward our objectives of commercial sector revenue growth, operational efficiency and profitability,” Boone said.

About CORESTAFF Services
CORESTAFF Services provides a full spectrum of human capital solutions to help organizations meet their contingent workforce needs. CORESTAFF provides staffing, human resources solutions, outsourcing, and consulting services for Accounting & Finance, Administrative & Clerical, Call Center, Customer Care, Clinical Research & Scientific, Engineering, Information Management, Information Technology, Light Industrial & Assembly, and Professional skill sets. CORESTAFF maintains a local presence through a powerful, connected regional center and branch network across the United States, including InfoCurrent, Leafstone, s•com, and SRG Woolf, and is ranked among the 50 largest staffing services organizations in the U.S. CORESTAFF is a wholly owned subsidiary of Impellam Group plc.

CORESTAFF also operates as Leafstone in the New York City metropolitan area. CORESTAFF is not affiliated with Core Staffing Services, Inc., which operates in the New York Metro Area. CORESTAFF is headquartered in Houston, Texas. Please visit CORESTAFF Services at www.corestaff.com.

About Impellam
Impellam Group is a leading provider of staffing solutions and outsourced people-related services, with established operations in the UK, Ireland, mainland Europe, USA, Australia, and New Zealand. Listed on the London Stock Exchange and trading on AIM (IPEL), the Group operates through a number of specialist trading brands, each targeted toward specific markets and services.

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Executive Change: Ray Matteucci to GB Collects

2009-06-30T07:10:02-07:00

West Berlin, NJ -- GB Collects worldwide corporate collection announces the addition of Ray Matteucci, formerly with SLM Financial, as collection manager. Matteucci brings 37+ years of professional collection experience to the seasoned staff of GB Collects.

“We are ecstatic that Ray has decided to join our family as we are preparing for another round of large expansion,” states George Bresler, president. “Great minds like Ray’s don’t come along often, and his timing is perfect. Our staff and management team is poised for a great year and the addition of Ray just solidifies this goal.”

Prior to GB Collects, Mr. Matteucci was president of SLM Financial, a wholly owned subsidiary of SLM Corp. (Sallie Mae), from 1999 to 2008. He developed a career training loan program through a national sales network, flexible underwriting, and a streamlined “assembly line” originations platform. In addition, he built an on-site collection staff to maintain delinquency standards at corporate levels. A 30 branch consumer network along with a regional mortgage division was also established. The results of all divisions produced earnings of $80 Million per year, a portfolio of $2.5 Billion in receivables, $1.5 Billion in annual loan originations, with 500 employees. While ensuring achievement of loan originations, collections, and pre-tax earnings for all three divisions, Mr. Matteucci was also responsible for regulatory and internal compliance, quality assurance, and personnel hiring and development.

Before his employment with SLM Financial, Mr. Matteucci was Director of Operations for Equity One from 1988 to 1998. Established with one branch in Mt. Laurel, NJ, the company grew to 130 branches in 38 states within a ten year period. Mr. Matteucci was responsible for opening new branches while achieving the originations, collection, and pre-tax earnings. Under his direction, the company realized its earnings forecast ten consecutive years.

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Aspect Chief Financial Officer Wins 2009 CFO of the Year Award

2009-06-26T06:37:04-07:00

CHELMSFORD, Mass. — Aspect, a unified communications (UC) solutions provider, today announced that Michael Provenzano, executive vice president of finance and chief financial officer at Aspect, has won the inaugural 2009 CFO of the Year Award for large privately-held companies from the Boston Business Journal. Provenzano was recognized for his instrumental role in crafting Aspect’s corporate strategy, particularly in managing Microsoft’s equity investment in Aspect to accelerate the development of UC solutions, and spearheading the company’s international expansion and merger and acquisition activities.

“Mike has been invaluable in advancing Aspect’s strategic initiatives in the UC space while driving profitability in challenging economic times,” said Jim Foy, chief executive officer, Aspect. “Also, his activities outside the company set an example for what we need to see from business leaders in the community— a focus on charitable involvement and corporate responsibility. We’re pleased to have Mike recognized for his contributions to the company and to local nonprofit organizations. And, we are fortunate to have his financial leadership in helping see us through today’s tough market conditions.”

The Boston Business Journal 2009 CFO of the Year Awards will be presented during a July 16 luncheon event at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel. Honorees will be recognized for their financial leadership and accomplishments, in addition to their community involvement in the Boston area.

With more than 17 years of software and high-tech experience, Provenzano has principal responsibility for Aspect’s Finance, Human Resources, Corporate Programs Office, Operations and Facilities organizations. During his 10-year tenure at Aspect, Provenzano successfully executed and managed 10 mergers and acquisitions and multiple debt financings totaling more than $2 billion dollars. Also, in March 2008, he helped manage and negotiate a global strategic alliance with Microsoft to help bring unified communications capabilities to enterprises and contact centers around the world, which resulted in Microsoft’s equity investment in Aspect. In 2005, Provenzano was also named by the Boston Business Journal editors to its annual “40 Under 40” list of business leaders to watch in the Greater Boston region.

Outside of Aspect, Provenzano is also highly involved in a number of activities that support his community. He is an active supporter of the Benjamin Foundation – a nonprofit association to raise funds and awareness of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), the American Diabetes Association and he has also been a member of the Salem, New Hampshire Rotary Club and has supported the organization’s fundraising efforts, including participating in the Boston Bruins Alumni Charity Ice Hockey Game.

About Aspect
Aspect provides software and consulting services that turn the potential of unified communications into real business results across the enterprise and in the contact center. Applying 35 years of insight and experience, Aspect helps more than two-thirds of the FORTUNE Global 100, as well as small and medium enterprises, power their business processes with communications. For more information, visit www.aspect.com.

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Constar Financial Announces Yvonne Torrijos Relocation

2009-06-23T07:34:34-07:00

Phoenix – Travis Bowley, CEO for Empereon Marketing, LLC, and its affiliate, Constar Financial Services, LLC, announced today that Constar’s Chief Marketing Officer, Yvonne Torrijos, has relocated to their corporate headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona.

The move stems from Constar's unprecedented growth in the last year and will enable Yvonne to maintain closer contact with Constar’s customers. "Yvonne is an important member of Constar’s leadership team," said Travis Bowley, Constar CEO and Founder. "She is a team player and is helping to drive essential change throughout Constar -- change that makes us more innovative, more responsive to our customers and more efficient."

To learn more about Constar, you can reach Yvonne at YTorrijos@ConstarFinancial.com.

Empereon Marketing, LLC is a leading tele-services provider serving fortune 500 companies in the broadband and telecommunication industry nationwide. Empereon’s corporate headquarters is located in Phoenix, Arizona.

Constar Financial Services, LLC, an affiliate of Empereon Marketing, LLC, is a full service accounts receivable management company delivering collection services at both the pre and post charge off stage. Backed by the success and expertise of Empereon, Constar is poised to deliver outstanding competitive performance and quality service.

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Executive Change: Bengt Lejdström Named CFO at Intrum Justitia

2009-06-15T08:09:58-07:00

Stockholm, Sweden -- Accounts receivable management company Intrum Justitia announced today the hiring of Bengt Lejdström to fill the role of Chief Financial Officer.

Bengt Lejdström is currently CFO of the management and IT consulting company Acando AB, with revenues of 150 million EUR, 1,100 employees and operations in six countries, listed on Nasdaq OMX Stockholm. Bengt Lejdström has also been acting CEO for Acando the last six months. Prior to Acando, Bengt Lejdström worked for Nasdaq OMX Stockholm, the European Central Bank, and as a management consultant in the financial services industry.

“I am very pleased and gratified that Bengt has decided to accept the offer to become our CFO,” says Lars Wollung, President and CEO of Intrum Justitia. “Intrum Justitia is in a process of strategic transformation that is expected to continue for a number of years. Bengt has vast experience of corporate performance management, operational excellence and acquisitions, which are critical for our transformation journey. Furthermore, he has a documented knowledge of the corporate life of a listed company."

Bengt Lejdström will take over as CFO as soon as possible, though no later than December 12, 2009. He replaces Monika Elling, who, as earlier announced, has been appointed Regional Managing Director for Intrum Justitia in Scandinavia.

Intrum Justitia is Europe’s leading Credit Management Services (CMS) group and offers services designed to measurably improve clients’ cash flows and long-term profitability. Intrum Justitia was founded in 1923, has 3,400 employees in 24 markets and revenues of approximately SEK 3.7 billion. Intrum Justitia AB is listed on Nasdaq OMX Stockholm since 2002. For further information, please visit www.intrum.com

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Executive Change: Richard Vander Woude Resigns as SVP, Secretary and General Counsel of FirstCity Financial

2009-06-08T10:13:40-07:00

Waco, Texas -- FirstCity Financial Corporation (Nasdaq: FCFC) today announced that Richard J. Vander Woude has resigned from his position as Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel. Mr. Vander Woude will be returning to private practice with the firm Haley & Olsen P.C. in Waco, Texas.

James T. Sartain, CEO of FirstCity said, "Rick has been a valuable asset to the Company during his tenure here at FirstCity. We will continue to utilize Rick's expertise and knowledge of our business in his new position as outside counsel. We appreciate his service and wish Rick all the best."

FirstCity Financial Corporation is a diversified financial services company with operations dedicated primarily to distressed asset acquisitions and special situations investments. FirstCity has offices in the U.S. and affiliate organizations in Europe and Latin America. FirstCity common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (Nasdaq:FCFC).