DALLAS -

The American Recovery Association revealed the first nine dates and locations for its daylong training session on wide array of industry subjects. The Collateral Recovery and Remarketing Accreditation Program is aimed at lenders, ARA members and their employees.

Focused on innovation and education, ARA explained it developed the accreditation program to provide its members with the opportunity to become a Certified Asset Recovery Specialist. Participants attend a day of classes covering industry topics such as business ethics, data security and skip-tracing.

The lender curriculum also includes the Collection Training Consultants program, taught by nationally recognized trainer Steve Peterson, who also is set to present an introduction to online collateral remarketing.

The association emphasized lenders and ARA members, along with their employees, can participate in simultaneous classes covering various subjects. The program also is scheduled to include a networking luncheon.

The first opportunity for participation is Jan. 25 in Charlotte, N.C.

Other dates and locations include:

—Jan. 26 in Atlanta.

—Jan 27 in Birmingham, Ala.

—Feb. 7 in Jacksonville, Fla.

—Feb. 8 in Orlando, Fla

—Feb. 9 in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

—Feb. 23 in San Diego.

—Feb. 24 in Phoenix

—March 4 in Dallas during the 2011 North American Repossessors Summit.

 “We are excited to bring this program to the industry,” stated Les McCook, executive director of ARA.

“ARA strives to produce the most professional, trained and certified recovery agents, and this program will be a rewarding experience for our members and partners,” he continued. “Our projection is that we will be in at least 24 cities before our grand event in conjunction with our 47th annual convention in Jersey City, N.J.”

Added Peterson, “Being properly trained and certified is vital to a lender’s and recovery agent’s business’ bottom line. ARA’s Accreditation Program is extensive and participants will gain a plethora of industry knowledge.”

 For more information about the accreditation program, contact the ARA home office at (972) 755-4755 or e-mail homeoffice@americanrecoveryassn.org.