Welcome
The Credit Education Coalition's mission is to foster, through educational seminars, a regular exchange of information between the creditor community and debtor advocates.
Be sure to check out our Seminars page to learn about our seminars, along with the exhibitors and sponsors that make our seminars possible.
About the Frank M. Pees Credit Education Coalition
The Credit Education Coalition is an organization which traces its roots to the Ad Hoc Creditors Committee started by Chapter 13 trustee Frank M. Pees, who was added to our name upon his retirement. The organization began as an attempt by the Chapter 13 trustee’s office to bring together debtors and creditors. The original purpose of the Ad Hoc committee was to educate both creditor and debtor representatives about the bankruptcy process. The goal of that committee is effectively the goal of the CEC.
The CEC is overseen by a volunteer board of debtor and creditor representatives from the greater Columbus area. The organization sponsors two major educational seminars annually, typically in February and October.
The CEC was the first organization of its kind in the country to attempt bringing together both creditor and debtor advocates for the improvement of the bankruptcy system. The CEC prototype has now extended to other jurisdictions, most notably San Antonio.
The Frank M. Pees CEC 2024 Fall Seminar was proudly brought to you by the following sponsors:
Gold Sponsors
Germain of Columbus has the lenders on hand that will help your clients, regardless of bankruptcy. We have 11 franchise locations in Columbus with just under 1200 used vehicles, making it easier for your clients to find the vehicle that they need, at a price that they can afford. Search our inventory 24/7 at germainexpress.com or reach out to Karoline Ross 614-465-4547 / karolineross@germain.com
National Creditors Bar Association (NCBA) is a bar association dedicated to serving law firms engaged in the practice of creditors rights law. Originally founded in 1993 as the National Association of Retail Collection Attorneys (NARCA), our membership grew and we quickly became the premier association for the creditors rights attorney. In 2015, we recognized that the changes in our economy and in our member firms’ practice areas, meant that our association needed to change too. We broadened our membership base to include firms practicing in foreclosure, bankruptcy, student loans, replevin, to name a few, and we expanded our educational offerings and networking opportunities. Learn more about the NCBA at creditorsbar.org
In 2021, Heather Pickett leveraged her extensive legal experience to establish Propel Paralegal Services, the nation’s first elite virtual paralegal team specializing in bankruptcy. With a background spanning small to large law firms and diverse legal sectors, Heather identified a critical market gap: the growing need for specialized, senior-level paralegal support in the nuanced field of bankruptcy law. Propel isn’t just a service provider; it’s a transformative solution, offering expert bankruptcy paralegal talent with a strong commitment to efficiency and ethical standards. Learn more about Propel Paralegal Services at propelparalegal.com
SILVER SPONSORS
Consumer Portfolio Services is an independent specialty finance company that provides indirect automobile financing to individuals with past credit problems, low incomes or limited credit histories. We purchase retail installment sales contracts primarily from franchised automobile dealerships secured by late model used vehicles and, to a lesser extent, new vehicles. We fund these contract purchases on a long-term basis primarily through the securitization markets and service the contracts over their lives. Learn more about CPS at consumerportfolio.com
Tracir Financial Services, Inc. began operations in 1988 as a finance company for the Ricart Automotive Group in Columbus, Ohio. For 30 plus years, we have assisted in meeting the needs of people who may not have access to conventional sources of credit by offering automobile dealers a wide range of financing options for their customers. We deploy over 150 years of experience in the subprime automotive finance industry to fulfill dealers’ and consumers’ needs. Our continued success is simple; we are people driven and employ a commonsense approach to lending. Learn more about Tracir at tracirfinancial.com
BRONZE SPONSORS
Founded in 1964, Kegler Brown Hill + Ritter has served as counsel to some of the world’s best-known and best-loved brands from its Ohio offices. We provide a comprehensive range of legal services with more than 60 lawyers firmwide comprising more than 100 specific areas of practice focus. We’re committed to providing our clients with the most timely, responsive and high-quality legal services anywhere. This dedication to world-class client service has become a defining characteristic of our firm. Learn more about Kegler Brown Hill + Ritter at keglerbrown.com
NextChapter was created by attorneys and paralegals just like you. Our mission is to provide attorneys with an efficient, intuitive, and affordable software solution to help them better serve their clients. We are paralegals, lawyers, software engineers, entrepreneurs, and legal tech enthusiasts based out of Columbus, Ohio. NextChapter is here to revolutionize how bankruptcies are prepared while helping people get to the next chapter of their lives. Learn more about NextChapter at nextchapterlegal.com
Receivables Management Association International is the nonprofit trade association that represents more than 600 companies that support the purchase, sale, and collection of performing and nonperforming receivables on the secondary market. RMAI member companies work in a variety of financial services fields, including debt buying, collection agencies, law firms, originating creditors, and industry-related product and service providers. RMAI provides its members with extensive networking, educational, and business development opportunities in asset classes that span numerous industries. Learn more about RMAi at rmaintl.org
About the Frank M. Pees Credit Education Coalition
The Credit Education Coalition is an organization which traces its roots to the Ad Hoc Creditors Committee started by Chapter 13 trustee Frank M. Pees, who was added to our name upon his retirement. The organization began as an attempt by the Chapter 13 trustee’s office to bring together debtors and creditors. The original purpose of the Ad Hoc committee was to educate both creditor and debtor representatives about the bankruptcy process. The goal of that committee is effectively the goal of the CEC.
The CEC is overseen by a volunteer board of debtor and creditor representatives from the greater Columbus area. The organization sponsors two major educational seminars annually, typically in February and October.
The CEC was the first organization of its kind in the country to attempt bringing together both creditor and debtor advocates for the improvement of the bankruptcy system. The CEC prototype has now extended to other jurisdictions, most notably San Antonio.