ACA Announces 2025 Award Winners

At our annual convention, ACA celebrated the members who have devoted their time and talent to advancing the accounts receivable management industry.

ACA International recognized members who have made significant contributions to the association and the accounts receivable management (ARM) industry at our Convention & Expo in Louisville, Kentucky.

Here are this year’s winners:

ACA International Member of the Year Award

The association’s highest honor, the Member of the Year Award, is presented to the member judged to have done the most for ACA and the ARM industry in the past 12 months.

Rick Doane

This year’s award was given to industry leader Rick Doane, 2014/15 ACA president and second-generation collection agency owner of Sunrise Credit Services. Doane earned this recognition for his longtime career in the ARM industry and his exemplary leadership during recent natural disasters. Drawing from personal experience during Hurricane Sandy, he launched a GoFundMecampaign raising over $45,000 for ARM professionals impacted by Hurricane Helene and recent tornadoes in St. Louis area. Partnering with his sister Diane Plowman, Doane ensured that 100% of donations reached collectors through gift cards, demonstrating extraordinary compassion and commitment to giving back to an industry that has given him so much.

ACPAC Hall of Fame

The ACPAC Hall of Fame recognizes ACA members with outstanding long-term commitments to ACPAC and ACA’s overall advocacy work. Over many years, these inductees invested time and resources that helped fuel our industry’s success.

Mark Davitt

Mark Davitt has championed ARM industry advocacy since 1979, founding ConServe in 1985 while advancing legislative initiatives. As ACA’s 2005/06 president and National Legislative Council chair, he elevated industry representation through testimony before the Federal Trade Commission, New York Assembly, and media appearances on CNBC, consistently promoting positive public perception and regulatory understanding.

Gary Williams

Gary Williams began collecting furniture accounts in 1972 and co-founded Williams & Fudge Inc. in 1986, transforming it into a student loan collection powerhouse. As ACA’s 2003/04 president and an ACPAC Grand Master, he championed federal legislative efforts while serving extensively on industry committees. Williams has earned recognition for his advocacy leadership through multiple ACA awards and community honors.

Tom Stockton

Tom Stockton co-founded The CMI Group in 1985, transforming it from a cable television collections startup into a major industry player. As ACA’s 2012/13 president, he established the Industry Advancement Fund, which helps ACA participate in regulatory and legislative processes, reshapes judicial doctrines and drives positive decisional law. Stockton has earned multiple honors, including the ACPAC Ambassador Award and International Fellow recognition, for significantly advancing ARM industry standards.

ACPAC Ambassador

The ACPAC Ambassador Award recognizes an ACA member in good standing who has made significant personal contributions of time and talent to raise funds for ACPAC or to assist industry members to raise funds for elective office.

David Williams

This year’s winner is David Williams, president/CEO of Williams & Fudge. Williams has demonstrated exceptional leadership in strengthening ACPAC through generous fundraising support and process improvements. As ACPAC chair, he streamlined communications while raising funds for both Candidate and Admin funds, enabling support for dozens of pro-industry candidates who understand ACA members’ critical role in access to affordable credit.

Industry Advocacy Champion

The Industry Advocacy Champion Award recognizes a member who, in the past year, has been an outstanding advocate and protector of the industry, inspires others, and honors the vision of the association.

Roger Weiss

This year’s recipient is Roger Weiss, president of CACi, who is being recognized for his outstanding fundraising efforts supporting the ACPAC Admin Fund. Over three years, he raised approximately $75,000 through innovative initiatives, including themed T-shirt sales at conventions with company sponsorships, donating 100% of the proceeds. His voluntary dedication and creative approach to engaging individuals, vendors, and agencies in advocacy support demonstrates exceptional commitment to advancing ACA’s mission.

Helping Members Succeed! Award 

The Helping Members Succeed! Award is presented to ACA members who present at ACA Huddles, Hot Topic sessions and ACA conferences. These awards are given to speakers who have presented at 25, 50, 100, 150, or more ACA events.

Heath Morgan

This year’s recipient is Heath Morgan (25). Morgan is a partner with Martin Golden Lyons Watts Morgan.

Speaker of the Year

The Speaker of the Year Award is awarded to an ACA member in good standing who contributed the most to the development of new programs, who also volunteered as a subject matter expert and worked with the ACA education staff. 

Debra Ciskey

This year’s award was given to Debra Ciskey, senior compliance advisor for ARM Compliance Business Solutions.

Ciskey earned this award for her exceptional dedication to professional development. Through her innovative Water Cooler Chat concept — now ACA’s most popular online community event — and meticulous review of over 32% of ACA designation capstone submissions, she has elevated educational standards. Her contributions to key resources like FDCPA Flash and Professional Collection Specialist exam modernization demonstrate unwavering commitment to advancing industry expertise and career growth.

Visionary Award 

The Visionary Award recognizes a member who promotes a respectful environment and inclusivity for all in the industry.

Linda Dameron

Linda Dameron, director of consumer accounting for Crown Asset Management, earned this award for her transformative leadership and genuine care for others. As the Visionaries Committee chair, she revitalized ACA’s Water Cooler Chats, growing the meetup by bringing in subject matter experts and creating engagement. Her thoughtful writing for ACA Daily highlights important causes, while her hard work connects hybrid teams through innovative events, demonstrating authentic leadership that inspires possibility.

ACA Hall of Fame

ACA’s Hall of Fame is a celebration of the members who have had an outstanding career in the accounts receivable management industry and made a notable commitment to ACA through leadership and volunteerism.

Nick DiGiovanni Jr.

Nick DiGiovanni Jr. earned this induction for his decades of dedicated service to our association. Nick has spent decades serving the collection industry and ACA International. As ACA’s 1996/97 president, he championed health care receivables management through committee leadership and certified instruction. Beyond tangible contributions, Nick’s greatest impact came through mentoring individuals with kindness, wisdom, and collaborative spirit — sharing his “secret sauce” and inspiring countless professionals to thrive in the industry.