Speaker: Jayne Crosby, CCE; Kandie Haymore, CCE; Sheila Roames, CCE

Topic: Get to Know the Board Candidates

D’Ann Johnson, CCE hosted our ICEL and CFDD meeting for March and invited the three Board of Directors Candidates for the 2026 election to introduce themselves and speak on a credit related topic of their choice. This was a great event and way to get to know who is running for the two open Board seats in April 2026. Ballots for the Board of Directors will be sent to the member of record on April 1. Those elections and proxy deadlines will close on April 16 at 9:00 am Mountain Time. Every member is encouraged to vote for up to 2 of the candidates that they believe will best serve the membership of our NACM affiliate. Additionally, returning the proxy vote allows the Stockholder meeting scheduled for April 16 to be held.

A summary of each candidate’s presentation is below along with the link to their bio for more information on who you are voting for. Candidates presented alphabetically by their last name. To view their candidate bio, please click on their name ahead of their respective section.

Jayne Crosby, CCE – Accounting and Credit Manager for Gritton & Associates, Inc.

Jayne presented on the topic The Elements of Credit Management. She started by displaying a quilt that she pieces together and quilted. She acknowledged that on the surface, the topic of quilting and credit management might seem incongruous: Why is a raven like a writing desk? Jayne used the process of designing, creating, and finishing a quilt to designing, creating, and finishing a credit policy for your organization. There are many threads which must converge to create a successful credit manager.

When quilting, one must find a pattern, fabrics, thread, and finishing touches to create a function and beautiful quilt. In credit management, there are also several elements to piece together. The company creates a credit policy, credit application, reports, and education along with other elements to create a cohesive and productive credit professional. Jayne shared some sound fabric wisdom that can be correlated to credit management as well: Measure Twice, Cut Once. Every element (or piece) plays a role in creating a magnificent and functional credit manager, or a quilt.

Kandie Haymore, CCE – Credit Manager for Geneva Rock Products

Kandie shared her thoughts on Mentoring the Next Generation of Credit Professionals. Kandie shared stories from her early career where she benefited from great mentors who saw something in her and helped nurture her curious mind, helping to create the confident Credit Manager she is now. The mentors she had in her industry, at NACM trade groups, and in her education classes opened the door to many career opportunities in credit.

Kandie further encouraged NACM members to foster mentoring relationships for the next generation of up-and-coming credit managers. Mentoring helps identify and develop critical thinking, judgement, professional confidence, and ethical decision making which created strong internal pipelines for future analysts, supervisors, and credit managers. But mentoring is so much more. Being a mentor also benefits the one who mentors by reinforcing core principles, improving leadership and coaching skills, and reflection of current practices. Many mentors find that the act of mentoring sharpens their own decision making and prepares them for broader leadership roles.

The mentor/mentee relationship elevates standard in the credit field. These relationships encourage professionalism and ethics, help to ensure long term credibility in the profession, and are especially impactful in organization where credit is not fully understood or is undervalued.

Shera “Sheila” Roames, CCE – Western Regional Credit Manager for Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions

Sheila joined us virtually from her office in Chandler, Arizona to present the topic of Sales and Credit: The Ultimate Power Team. Sheila discussed guidelines for the ultimate power couple, benefits of meaningful relationships, and how to maintain a successful relationship.

The ultimate power couple guidelines are built on respect, trust, integrity, communication, investing time together, and meeting each other’s needs. While sales and credit can sometimes be viewed as a contentious or combative duo, the goal ultimately is to find ways to work more effectively together for the betterment of the company. Sheila noted that the key really is CREDIT: Customer, Relationship, Engagement, Dialogue, Inclusion, and Teamwork. Building a communication style based on trust is helpful. Sheila outlined eight behaviors of respect, trust, and integrity:

• Being transparent
• Sticking to commitments
• Demonstrating trust
• Being personal
• Being consistent
• Appreciating others
• Listening well
• Demonstrating vulnerability

A company’s sales force and credit management team must always work hand-in-hand if the business is going to succeed. Sales brings in business; credit brings in cash. Working together for the growth and security of the company allows for a more cohesive company successful growth.