Women in the Repossession Industry – Making their Mark

Joan Hudson is a legend in the repossession industry and has definitely made her mark as a role model for getting involved and making things happen.  She was a pioneer in a male dominated industry and committed herself to educating others about the repossession industry. She is currently the owner of A.R.B. of Louisiana and the President and Owner of A.R.B. Investigation Agency.  She has grown her company from one location to seven offices statewide so no agent has to drive more than 65 miles.

Joan co-authored the book on Collateral Recovery which was considered the premier guide to repossessions back when it was published.  If you wanted to know anything about the repossession business, this is the book you turned to.  She also contributed to a course on Wrecker and Towing Safety.

Joan is extremely proud to have served as the President of the National Finance Adjusters (NFA) and as their Executive Director for over ten years.  She put on numerous seminars across the United States, prepared and planned brochures promoting the seminars.  Joan also compiled and printed the NFA’s newsletter called the “The Adjuster.”  She traveled to potential convention sites and worked with the hotel on securing rooms and food.

After the NFA merged with the American Recovery Association (ARA) Joan was appointed to the Board of Directors.  She currently is the chairperson of the ARA’s national convention and is Secretary Treasurer on the Executive Board.  Her passion is serving on the ARA Member Benefits Committee and chairing the Committee on Public Relations.  She is honored to serve as the Co-Chairperson of the North American Repossessors Summit (NARS) which is coming up on its 10th Anniversary.  It is a challenge to find new speakers and develop topics, but she loves working on this event.

Knowledgeable and experienced with the repossession industry, Joan was instrumental in providing rules and regulations for the self-help act for the State of Louisiana.  She was appointed to the Board of Commissioners for the Louisiana Recreational and Used Motor Vehicles and Parts Commission.  Joan is also a member of the Louisiana Notary Association and was commissioned in 1999.

One of the great honors of Joan’s career was being awarded The Bob Dempsey award from the American Recovery Association.  She is one of only two females to receive this prestigious award that honors pride, professionalism, leadership and brotherhood.  Joan owes a lot to her mentor and dear friend, Mary Jane Hogan-Parker, without her support, she fears she may not have gone too far or stayed so committed to the repossession industry, especially during the lean years!

 

By Heidi Haskins Kiel

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Facebook Comments