ARA Fireside Chat: How Do We Combat the Rise in Agent Assaults?

This month’s topic:

Recovery Agent Assaults: An Alarming Up-Trend

A Discussion About How to Fix It

Mark your calendar for Wednesday, September 13th at 2:00 pm EDT (1:00 pm CDT) for our Q3 Fireside Chat with ARA President, Vaughn Clemmons.

Vaughn will lead an interactive discussion around how ARA and the recovery industry at large can combat the rising number of assaults on repossession agents and repossession office employees. This issue must be addressed, and we’re committed to taking meaningful action to protect our people and our industry.
Vaughn will be joined by industry veterans Todd Case and Mark Lacek to discuss ways to combat this disturbing trend.
We’ll dive into how we:

create a culture of respect for those on the front lines
ensure agents and owners know what they can and cannot do in their states to help minimize breach of peace
ensure that repossession agents and repossession office employees are safe while on the job
can support those agents and employees who have been impacted by violence on the job

This is an important topic, and we encourage you to join in the conversation.

Secure your spot now by registering below, and remember to click the “ADD TO CALENDAR” link in your registration confirmation email. See you there!

Vaughn Clemmons Will Be Joined By:

Todd Case

CEO, Indiana Recovery Services

Originally from Western New York, Todd was born in 1977 and grew up in the towing industry working alongside his father at the family business. In 1998, with an associate degree in Criminal Justice Todd began a career in Law Enforcement that spanned 16 years. During his tenure as a police officer Todd was assigned to several different units including Evidence Technician, Field Training Officer, K-9 and Criminal Interdiction. Todd was noted for having the largest cash seizure in Hamilton County, Indiana, and was also awarded the Police Medal of Valor after he saved a woman from drowning in a frozen retention pond.

In 2011 Todd was presented an opportunity to purchase Indiana Recovery Services. With Todd’s knowledge of the towing Industry and his wife Darcy’s degree in accounting and business, they decided to take a leap of faith and moved ahead with the purchase. Todd remained in law enforcement for a time, but resigned in 2014 to focus exclusively on growing the recovery business.

Over the years, Todd and Darcy grew the company from 1 location, 2 trucks and 4 employees, to 32 vehicles, 45 employees, and 5 locations in 2 states. In addition to the management of the company, it is not uncommon to see Todd out in the field or Darcy filling in for office staff when needed. Todd and Darcy are known for the addition of a vehicle transport division to their repossession company. Currently they operate a 7-car semi and trailer combination, (4) four car haulers, and (4) two car rollbacks which are dedicated to vehicle-only transport. They transport for all auctions in the State of Indiana and are responsible for transporting nearly 85% of all vehicles they repossess. Todd obtained his CDL in 2019 and helps transport cars when needed.

Recognizing that our industry needs change, Todd spearheaded the formation of a repossession association for the State of Indiana. In the fall of 2022 Todd, with the help of several others formed the Indiana Professional Repossessors Association or “INPRA”. Since its formation, nearly 90% of the active Indiana based repossession companies have pledged their membership and support.

ARA Fireside Chat: How Do We Combat the Rise in Agent Assaults?

Mark Lacek

Expert Witness and CEO of Commercial Asset Solutions

Mark Lacek has been in the business of repossessing collateral for over 45 years. He has personally repossessed thousands of assets across the country during the past 45 years and personally authored a certification program for the repossession industry currently offered as an on-line course by the Repossession Industry Services Company (RISC).

Lacek has presented repossession training seminars at repossession conferences in Dallas TX, Baltimore MD, Atlantic City NJ, Las Vegas NV, Virginia Beach VA and San Antonio TX. He is the Past President of the Florida Association of Licensed Recovery Agents and has written a monthly column in the nations leading towing publications for 10 years.

In addition, Mr. Lacek was the founder and publisher of Professional Repossession Magazine, published monthly for 8 years and has been retained as a Repossession Expert Witness over 30 times.