The American Recovery Association handed out nine industry awards during this year’s North American Repossessors Summit.

The 2024 NARS Industry Awards recognized repossession agents as well as representatives from finance companies and service providers. Along with explanations of each award from ARA, the honorees included:

Agent of the Year – Justin Hammett with Snatch Masters

This award honors the agent who has demonstrated outstanding professionalism, possesses a deep understanding and commitment to lenders’ needs and full compliance with industry standards — all while protecting the consumer’s rights and safety.

Service Representative of the Year – Alex Price with Locate Smarter

This award honors the individual who has shown exemplary commitment to serving their clients’ needs and has consistently done so. This person demonstrates a high level of integrity, fosters a positive workplace environment, and displays a strong commitment to the mission and values of the industry.

Agency Owner of the Year – Amy Bednar with Relentless Recovery

This award goes to an owner who has at least a three-year commitment of excellence within their company and the collateral recovery industry. This person should also be able to document their commitment to professional education and compliance training as well as the use of innovation and creativity in enabling their company to prosper and extend its reach in the collateral recovery profession.

Leadership Award – Todd Case with Indiana Recovery Services

This award honors the individual who showed leadership in 2023. This person walked the walk. This award is for anyone in the recovery industry you think has pushed past every boundary and obstacle that was thrown their way and has overcome the odds – someone who has exuded true resiliency and commitment to leading by example.

Female in Leadership Award – Heather Kennedy with CIG Financial

This award honors an individual within the lender industry who demonstrated a deep commitment to the advancement of women leaders at their organizations in 2022. The recipient has ushered in lasting and impactful change for women through their leadership.

Lender in Leadership Award – Blake McGuire with Capital One Auto Finance

This award recognizes an individual who exemplifies leadership in our industry through collaboration, service, and innovation. This accolade celebrates their strategic acumen and ethical decision-making, setting a high standard for leadership in the lending sector.

Agent in Leadership Award – Vaughn Clemmons with Automobile Recovery Bureau

This award acknowledges an individual who demonstrates exceptional leadership qualities within the field of asset recovery. This award honors the individual recovery agent for their service to the industry, ethical conduct, and commitment to professionalism. The individual is an example of the high standard of leadership we all need to move our industry forward.

MVP Award (East) – Jose Castro with Indiana Recovery Services

MVP Award (West) – Rudy Sandoval with Speedy Recovery

The MVP Award is given to the recovery agency employee who has shown the highest level of leadership, initiative, resourcefulness, and work ethic. This person consistently strives toward work and personal goals and exceeds expectations on the job. This person is simply an outstanding performer.

Art Christensen Award – Kevin Wilson with United Recovery and Remarketing

The Art Christensen Award honors an industry veteran who has stood the test of time. He has served the industry well and has improved the industry for those still in it. This person is well respected by his peers, is a contributor, a thought-leader and overall great person.