NACM Connect Membership Awards

Lillian Novak, CGA Chief Communications Officer

With the recent lifting of restrictions, May and June finally gave NACM Connect Phil Lattanzio, CCE, COO NACM/ Chicago-Midwest and Chief Communication Officer Lillian Novak, CGA, an opportunity to deliver some very well deserved awards from both 2020 and 2021.

During May, they travelled to St. Louis to present several awards, accompanied by Rochelle Wilson, Regional Manager. Dave Beckel, CCE received the 2020 NACM Credit Excellence Award, bestowed on one member holding an NACM professional designation and a rich history of involvement with NACM. Not only has Dave been extremely active and supportive of NACM Connect - Missouri, he has also in the past served on the National Board and was Board Chairman in 2009. Tiffany Sudduth was also recognized as the 2020 Member of the Year for her work on the Missouri Advisory Board, the Gateway Education Committee and her involvement in her industry credit group and educational offerings.

Finally in St. Louis NACM/ChicagoMidwest Chair Mike Hill, CCE, received the 2020-2021 Robert M. Healy Credit Executive of the Year Award. This award goes to a CCE in good standing voted on by past recipients of the award. Robert Healy announced Hill’s award at the 2021 NACM Connect Virtual Annual Meeting. While there, Hill was also given his Chairman’s gavel for fiscal year 2021-2022.

Back in Rolling Meadows, Lattanzio and Novak joined National Board Member Erica White, CCE, in thanking Patrick Nelson for his leadership as Chairman of NACM/Chicago-Midwest’s Board of Directors in one of our most unusual years.■

Dave Beckel, CCE (center) receives the 2020 NACM Credit Excellence Award from Phil Lattnzio (left) and Rochelle Wilson. Mike Hill, CCE (left) receives the 2020-2021 Robert M. Healy Credit Executive of the Year Award from Phil Lattnzio. and Rochelle Wilson.

Patrick Nelson, MBA (center) receives a service award from Phil Lattanzio (left) and Erica White, CCE.

NACM Connect News NACM Connect Welcomes 2 to the Marketing Staff

Gabriel Castillo joins the NACM Connect management as the new Marketing Manager. A transplant from Texas, he has been living in the Chicago area for almost 18 years. Gabe is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a Master’s from Aurora University. He most recently served as President & CEO of his own consulting firm. Prior to that, he worked in municipal government as a Marketing Manager and other various rolls for 15 years. Additionally, he has volunteered his time since 2009 as the Communications and Marketing Board Member for the Illinois Parks & Recreation Association. He is a former Adjunct Instructor at Aurora University and is a national speaker with ten years experience speaking at conferences and workshops. Have a marketing idea you would like to share with Gabriel? Feel free to reach out to him at Gabriel.castillo@nacmconnect. org.

Carlos Tabora is a University of Illinois graduate with a diverse background in several areas of marketing. Throughout his career he has developed a passion for membership and enthusiast-driven organizations having worked for the American Society of Home Inspectors, CO-OP Financial Services and Dog Fancy/Cat Fancy magazines. He is excited to join the NACM Connect team as Marketing Coordinator and looks forward to working with the Association’s members, staff and partners. Carlos has a devotion for internet marketing and music. When he’s not working on an NACM Connect marketing campaign you can find him on the piano writing his next hit song. ■