Dr. Thomas Jones – NARS Keynote Speaker
Thomas D. Jones, Ph.D. is a scientist, author, pilot, and veteran NASA astronaut. In more than eleven years with NASA, he flew on four space shuttle missions to Earth orbit. On his last flight, Dr. Jones led three spacewalks to install the centerpiece of the International Space Station, the American Destiny laboratory. He has spent fifty-three days working and living in space. A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Dr. Jones piloted B-52D strategic bombers, earned a doctorate in planetary sciences from the University of Arizona, studied asteroids for NASA, engineered intelligence-gathering systems for the CIA, and helped NASA develop advanced mission concepts to explore the solar system.
Damion English
Damion English is the auto finance program manager for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Damion is a member of the consumer lending, reporting, and collections markets team in the CFPB’s division of research, markets, and regulations. He serves as a subject matter expert in the auto finance industry and as a liaison between the CFPB and both the collection industry and consumer advocates.
Juan Bryant
Juan Bryant has been in the communications industry for more than 20 years. He has served as both a trainer and motivational speaker for 10 years. He is the chaplain for the Huntington High School football team and serves as the motivational speaker for the Caddo Parish school board. Juan is also the owner of Enhanced Electronics, LLC.
Samantha Barnes
Samantha Barnes is the assistant vice president of repossessions at Prestige Financial Services and has led her team to great success. She is a positive, optimistic, go-getter who prides herself on the notion that believing is achieving. Through her life experiences and world travels, she incorporates her attitude, independence, and willingness to step outside her comfort zone in her everyday approach. Her passion for achievement keeps her going and motivates others to take charge and get the job done.
Mark Aussicker
Mark Aussicker is the chief claims officer of Norman Spencer Agency and serves as president of the Norman Spencer Institute of Risk Management and Safety. He has over 25 years of claims and risk management experience at the insurance carrier, agency, and third-party administrator levels. The institute is a public benefit corporation with the purpose of saving lives by making the roads safer for its clients and the communities in which they operate. Its focus is to better enable its clients through the utilization of leading-edge technology, enhanced loss control tools, and collaborative risk management best practices.
Ray Franklin
Ray Franklin is the president of National Locating & Recovery, Inc. in Alabama. After leaving the University of Mary on a football scholarship, he went to work in the family business. With more than 20 years experience in the repossession industry, Ray worked his way up from field agent to executive. His experience both in the field and behind the desk give him a comprehensive understanding of the industry, as well as the importance of communication between the agent and the client. Dedicated to his family, Ray married his high school sweetheart, Amanda, and they have a son together, Anthony. Ray is very active in his church and community and serves as a coach in several sports for the local middle and high school.
Marcelle Egley-Sparks
Marcelle Egley-Sparks grew up in the repossession business – it has been in her family since 1968. She is the president of California Association of Licensed Repossessors and also serves on their legislative committee. Marcelle serves on the new membership committee for the American Recovery Association, as well as the NARS planning committee. She has been a member of the California Credit Union Collector’s Council (CCUCC) for over 20 years and has served on the San Diego board for almost as long. She is currently the co-chair of the council along with David Sullivan. Marcelle’s company, ABA Recovery, is one of the few repossession companies that have permission to repossess off all of the military bases in San Diego County.
Jeremy Cross
Jeremy Cross is the president of International Recovery Systems (IRS). After founding a successful private investigations company, Jeremy brought this experience to the repossession industry, where he has grown IRS each year. Jeremy is a former U.S. Army veteran. During his eight-year career, he served in the Judge Advocate General’s Corp, finishing his service in 2004. Jeremy is dedicated to sharing with his peers, and in turn, learning as much as possible about the repossession business. He contributes to CU Collector frequently and has authored articles on an array of repossession business-related topics.
Monty Cavalier – NARS Emcee
Monty Cavalier grew up in Saint Francisville, Louisiana. Upon graduating from high school he joined the U.S. Navy, where he traveled around the Pacific, eventually settling in San Diego. He joined ABA Recovery Service in 2004, where he currently serves as client relations manager. Since joining ABA, Monty has been instrumental in their success and growth to date. In addition to his position at ABA, Monty also works to promote the California Association of Licensed Repossessors (CALR) and has been an integral part of what CALR is today. In his spare time, he also enjoys doing community work for non-profit veterans and camping. His positive attitude, sense of humor, and professionalism are an asset to any event or organization.
