Meet Heidi Lindgren-Boyce, CCE Senior Credit Manager, Star Rentals Inc.

Heidi Lindgren-Boyce, CCE is Senior Credit Manager at Star Rentals Inc. in Seattle,Washington. She received a B.A. in Criminal Justice from Washington State University with the intention of going to law school after graduating, but finances dictated that she had to get a job, instead. She loved the legal classes she took in college and says "having to know the particularities of lien law in the construction field fills that interest now." Additionally, Heidi has completed the NACM CAP courses and one of the ACAP courses.

She moved to Phoenix, AZ after college, and was hired as a receptionist at a sub-contracting company. Shortly after, she was transferred into accounts payable and payroll. One year later, she was transferred to the company's California branch as office manager, where one of her main responsibilities was the billing and collection of all contracts. Eventually, she moved back to Washington and obtained a job as a Credit Manager, although she had sought a job as an office manager. Heidi says that although credit management was not her original career choice--it became her "professional passion".

Heidi has worked in the credit field since 1989, but had some "collection" experience prior to that, for an owner of apartment traits. Aside from that, her career has been entirely in the construction field. She worked for a sub-contractor for four years, and then an equipment supply company for 7 years prior to Star Rentals, where she's been for the last 4 1/2 years.

When Heidi moved hack to Washington in 1992, she was hired by her first NACM member company, which participated in construction trade groups (only). "I had never heard of NACM prior to this, and was overwhelmed by the educational opportunities", she says. That first year, she also went to a seminar offered by CFDD (Credit & Financial Development Division of NACM). "I joined that group as well, and have never looked back", says Heidi. "NACM & CFDD have continued to improve my professional abilities, and the friendships I made will be with me forever."

Initially, she used NACM for the credit information in construction trade groups; then got involved in the educational offerings. "Through my continued desire to be a better credit manager, I became more involved in my local NACM Affiliate and CFDD chapter in Seattle." Heidi says involvement has given her not only life-long friendships, but has "allowed her to meet and befriend people all over the country.

When hired to work for the sub-contractor, she says that she was given virtually no training. "Especially with regard to collection calls ... I was left completely on my own to figure out how to file liens, bond claims, and small claims suits. My company refused to use an outside collection service, much less have any involvement in a credit trade group." On reflection, she says what surprises her most is that she didn't violate any collection laws! tier employer had also chartered her with supervising the receptionist. "I wish I could say I did this as well as the legal aspects of my job, but then I'd be telling a lie," Heidi says. "I was horrible. I had no idea how to meet her needs or control my frustration. And in her exit from the company, she cited me as ...