I am thrilled to announce that the Getting to Know series will be sponsored by TEC Services Group in 2024. TEC Services Group is the leading technology and professional services firm in the credit collections industry offering both leading industry solutions along with unrivaled, unbiased, and experienced support. TEC is now extending its services by offering proven, industry-leading technology solutions alongside of our Professional Services to help Clients feel confident in their technology decisions. Learn more at ww.tecsg.com.
Chris Peppler has never been so happy to have been proven wrong. He didn’t think anything could keep up with the pace of his job in the hospitality industry, but it didn’t take long for him to see that things move just as fast, if not faster, in the accounts receivable management industry. Read on to learn more about Chris, who taught him that girl dads rule, and what’s keeping our industry from being more open to new ideas and technology.
Name: Chris Peppler
Job Title: Portfolio & Digital Strategy Manager
Company: Oliphant USA
Length of time at current company: 4 months
Length of time in industry: ~3 years
How did you get your start in the industry?
100% by happenstance. I worked in restaurants/hospitality prior to the pandemic even after obtaining my degree in IT, and made the jump to entry-level IT when the hospitality industry was suffering badly. Shortly after taking that position, an analytics & strategy role in collections that needed to be filled quickly opened and was my opportunity to prove myself. I didn’t think I’d find an industry that was similarly fast-paced as restaurants, but this industry has proven me wrong in the best way possible.
What is your career highlight so far?
While there have been some really good days, there isn’t a single-day highlight (yet). The highlight so far is the opportunity to work with so many tenured, knowledgeable collections industry professionals so early in my career, allowing me to quickly form the knowledge base and experience needed to elevate myself and those I work with.
When or how are you most productive?
When caffeine is within arm’s reach.
Which industry professional do you admire most?
I’ve worked with a lot of knowledgeable and talented individuals. But there are two specifically that I want to mention for giving me the crash course on the industry, then letting me run with it as fast as I can, only slowing me down to stop me from falling on my face.
- David Wells
- Scott Fox
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
Better than everybody is a tall statement, but I certainly have a strong point in a wide bandwidth. I’ve found my ability to manage many fronts simultaneously and remain productive and attentive to detail is a major strength in this industry.
What do you like most about this industry?
The fast-paced and changing landscape keeps me engaged day over day. From new technical requirements, provider requirements, industry regulation, case-law precedents, and everything in between!
The Getting to Know Series is Sponsored By:
What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
Every corner of the industry tends to be slow at utilizing innovative new technologies and solutions. Over-regulation and frivolous litigation combined with R&D cost are deterrents to our industry being as flexible and cutting-edge as possible – nobody wants to set the precedent, understandably.
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
More than likely the IT/analytics side of the hospitality industry.
Describe a typical work day.
Like many others we work with, I have a caffeine addiction and that first jolt is my body’s wake-up notification for work. I have a morning list of checks from emails to reporting to outbound campaigns. Then it’s into the numbers, processes, and meetings. The goal posts are ever-changing in this industry and there is no shortage of things to improve on.
What is your guilty pleasure?
I know so many that read this can relate – that 15 minutes after the kids are in bed and the house is quiet for the first time since 7am.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
“Only person you should compare yourself to is yesterday’s you. Just be better than you were yesterday.”
What are you currently reading?
I keep a couple things open depending on my mood.
I am currently reading –
- “Greenlights” – by Mathew McConaughey
- “Homo Deus” by Yuval Noah Harari
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you?
Girl Dads Rule (I asked my 3 y/o daughter what I should tell everybody about me, and this was her response – appropriate)
The Getting to Know series is sponsored by TEC Services Group. TEC Services Group is the leading technology and professional services firm in the credit collections industry offering both leading industry solutions along with unrivaled, unbiased, and experienced support. TEC is now extending its services by offering proven, industry-leading technology solutions alongside of our Professional Services to help Clients feel confident in their technology decisions. Learn more at ww.tecsg.com.