Long-time NACM member Jo Anne Mills, CCE will be retiring on November 14, 2025.

Retirement was not on Jo Anne’s list of things to do until her employer, Deseret Book, informed her there was an impending corporate reorganization taking place that would no longer include a credit manager. The book vending world has changed dramatically since Jo Anne was hired in October 2004. Although the news was a shock, after looking at various options and consulting with an investment advisor, Jo Anne realized she was in a position to retire three years earlier than anticipated.

Retirement will be a major change of scenery as Jo Anne has worked since she was 16 years old. Her first job was in a bowling alley. She then worked as a daycare provider. After graduating high school, Jo Anne went to work in a factory helping manufacture tubes for televisions. It did not take her long to realize she wanted to work in the offices where she saw nicely dressed employees working in air-conditioned offices.

She quickly enrolled in accounting courses at Chaparell College in Tucson, Arizona. She later received an accounting certificate. Her first accounting job was doing the books for a car wash for two years. She then made the decision to move, along with her four children, to Salt Lake to be closer to a sister. The move was not an easy transition as her children were teenagers at the time.

Her first position in Utah was working for Easter Seals. She then worked for the Disability Law Center for 10 years. She learned a lot about accounting during this time but, interestingly enough, she never dealt with accounts receivable or credit.

She was restructured out of her position. As a result, since it was the holiday season, she chose to work as a temporary employee stuffing envelopes. Shortly thereafter, her manager felt she would be better suited for a temporary role with Deseret Book. She worked as a temp for nearly a year helping to clean up customer accounts after the implementation of a new software system.

In September of 2005, Jo Anne was offered a full-time position working with credit manager, Mel Huppi. Little did she know how important of a role Mel would play in her professional development.

Mel encouraged her to take classes with NACM and to obtain her designations. She received her CBA in 2009, later received her CBF, then obtained her CCE in 2014.

She loved taking the classes required to sit for the designation exams. She appreciated how what she was learning had direct application to what she was doing on a daily basis in her work.

Jo Anne considers passing the CCE exam to be one of her greatest successes. Jo Anne is very open in discussing how she did not pass the exam on her first try. In her words, failing to pass the exam was a “double whammy” as it was the first time in her life she had failed an exam and…she did not receive the CCE she had worked so hard to achieve.

She committed to sitting for the exam for a second time and put in extra study time to ensure she would pass. Jo Anne is very grateful for the one-on-one help Georgette Bevan, CCE gave her as she prepared for the exam. Jo Anne wants all members to know there is much to be learned through failure and that failure should not stop anyone from trying again.

When asked about experiences with NACM that have made a lasting impression, without hesitation, Jo Anne talked about how her experiences participating in ICEL helped her grow. She openly admits she was a wallflower when she first started to attend meetings. However, she accepted the invitation to serve on various committees that allowed her to feel more comfortable engaging with members. She also learned in those meetings she had something to offer and that she could bring value to the table.

Jo Anne later served as ICEL Chair where she oversaw all aspects of ICEL. She marvels at how, over time, she became comfortable speaking in front of a group of people. Jo Anne also received the NACM Credit Executive of the Year and the CCE of the Year awards in 2024.

Jo Anne currently serves on the Board of Directors for NACM. She feels bad she will not be able to complete her full term, but she is grateful for the time she has had to serve on the Board.

As Jo Anne looks towards retirement, she plans to take a celebratory trip in January or February. She has not yet determined its destination. She also looks forward to spending more time with her great granddaughter.

She also wants to engage in activities she has not had the time to do while working including joining a gym and bowling. She has a standing monthly bowling date with her grandson. She has enjoyed that time so much she anticipates a bowling league could be in her future.

It has been a privilege to witness Jo Anne’s growth within NACM and as a credit professional. We wish her the best as she embarks upon this new, retired chapter of her life.