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Embracing Technology
of the merchandise. Our lobbyist, Tom Wallace, was always on top of things and navigated us in a successful attempt to kill the bill. We look forward to continuing to build grass roots relationships with our legislators in the upcoming year. We are almost finished with our new website, and it should be up and operational before this issue has made it into the hands of our members. It is our intention to help create a more effective way to communicate with each other in the future. Since our state requires continuing education to retain a pawn license, we are looking into more ways to attain this without attending sessions in person. We highly recommend joining other pawnbrokers at the NPA Convention in July, or the Dixie Pawn Convention in September, to get those continuing education hours. We all had to deal with the NMLS transition from licensing the old way that the Department of Banking and Consumer Finance issued pawn licenses to what they now require. It was an absolute nightmare. For some it took months to navigate the system, and COVID-19 protocols didn’t help. Most of these people were working from home, and just to get someone on the phone would take hours. It was one of the hardest things to comprehend and one of the hardest things we have ever had to deal with. From what we are hearing on a national front, this could be coming to other states soon. Louisiana and Mississippi already require it. Mississippi pawnbrokers will be working closely with the NPA to help improve the process for licensing.
NORTH CAROLINA
Bob Moulton, President of North Carolina Pawnbrokers Association
The North Carolina Pawnbrokers Association is alive and well. With COVID-19 occupying the headlines, very little on the legislative front has happened during the past year. We are in need of some pawnbrokers to step forward and help us continue with the great work that the NCPA has done in the past. If you are interested, please contact me at moultonbob@yahoo.com.
OHIO
Raphael Tincher, President of Ohio Pawnbrokers Association
In OPA news, your board remains active. I recently had a newly elected State Representative, Cindy Abrams, in for a visit at my store. She received the tour and spent almost an hour and a half with us (she ran late for her next appointment). It was a very good meeting, and educational as well, as she had never been in a pawnshop before. Thank you to Bob Lambert, our state lobbyist, for arranging that. If you ever have the opportunity to have an elected official visit your business, I encourage you to do so. It will be an eye-opening experience for them. It is very important to reach out and educate our lawmakers. If you need help arranging a meeting, or would like another person there for support, please contact me or Bob. We will be happy to help.
The current plan is to have a membership meeting in October. There will be a CE seminar in conjunction with that, and an additional CE seminar in November. These will take place in Columbus at the new Quest Center location. Details will be released at the end of the summer.
Membership renewals will commence in June (emails & mailings will be sent), but if you would like to renew early for the June 2021-June 2022 period, please mail your renewal in at your convenience.
Please be safe, and if I, or any board member, can be of assistance, reach out. Thank you for your continued support.
OREGON
Beth Anundi, President of Oregon Pawnbrokers Association
Oregon has been relatively quiet this last twelve months due to the governor’s mandates placed on small businesses and citizens, but as COVID-19 continues to change our world, we anticipate shifting yet again to meet the needs of our communities. With the looming threat of a 36% rate cap, our focus is making sure our legislators know how we continuously help our clients and communities. Last year was a clear example of how pawnshops are a vital piece of our neighborhoods. We served countless customers who had to pivot and purchase multiple computers for previously non-computer, or one-computer, households. Among the deluge of purchases, we helped families get fast cash as they navigated the devastating Oregon wildfires and then the recent destructive ice storm. During the pandemic and natural disasters experienced over the course of the last twelve months, our Oregon lobbyists have remained loyal to the pawn industry alerting us to anything that may be of concern. I would urge all Oregon pawnbrokers to join OPA today because speaking as one voice for the pawn industry will give us more power than standing alone in this ever-dynamic environment.
TENNESSEE
Robert Barnett Gayle Ferebee Ken Huddleston
We are rebooting our Tennessee Pawnbrokers Association! We need representation to keep us safe from harmful legislation regarding state and national pawnshop laws, as well as raise awareness and education for all Tennessee pawnbrokers. We are still in the slow process of making phone calls to Tennessee pawnbrokers, but we are gaining more support in different areas of the state. Since we have more physical pawnshop addresses than email addresses at this point, our next discussion will be about a snail mail campaign to get the word out of our reboot, to boost our Facebook page, and to build a better contact list. We have also been mentioning the upcoming Midwest Pawnbrokers Convention in our intro calls, (conveniently located in Louisville), and hope to see some extra TN faces there. We are still up in the air about holding any kind of elections at Midwest. Please join us on our Private Facebook group, Tennessee Pawnbrokers Association, for information regarding the reboot. You can also email us at kkslmj@kkspawn.com or by phone at (931) 247-1142 or (256) 990-7621.
TEXAS
Boyd Naylor, President of Texas Association of Pawnbrokers
On April 23rd, we held our Covid-threatened, Snow-vid (our every 35-Year South Texas winter storm), delayed 2021 TAP Convention in Houston. We had a great time. We had great turnout. We have a great group of Sponsors and Vendors that rearranged their schedules on short notice to make it to Houston to support our industry. Many, many thanks to all that were able to attend!
The 2021 TAP Board was elected in Houston, and three new Texas pawnbrokers have stepped up to serve: —Danielle Foster, Dallas/Fort Worth —George Beckelhymer, Laredo —Fred Bogar, Texas City/Houston
New Officers for 2021 Chairman: Joel Hefley President: Cody Lewis Vice-President: Roberta Suarez Secretary: Danielle Graham Treasurer: Jimmy Rodriguez
In addition to attending the NPA Pawn Expo in Fort Worth in July, our members have marked their calendars for February 18, 2022 for the next TAP Convention.
See y’all in Fort Worth!!
WASHINGTON
Janelle Morehart-Leevey, President of Washington State Pawnbrokers Association
The Washington State Pawnbrokers Association has been busy fighting off firearm legislation for the past few years. We have had a few bills pass within the past couple of years that are not good for our industry. The WSPA has been trying to spread awareness of bills and regulations happening within our state, and across the country, by reaching out to pawnshops that are not currently members of WSPA. However, we need more members involved and willing to help out. Membership is declining due to shops closing and people retiring. So, we need your input! We are open to ideas, suggestions, and information that would be of importance to our association. Without your help and support, anything can happen. If you have information or suggestions, please email: wspawnassociation@gmail.com. ADVERTISER INDEX
52 Bluestone Trading Company 33 Bravo Pawn Systems 10 Burrell
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7 Garfield Refining 13 Geib Refining Corp 49 Mid-States Recycling & Refining 49 Pawnbroker Financing 11 Pawnshop Consulting Group 9 The Rapaport Group 15 Simplex 39 SoCal Safe
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5 United Precious Metal Refining 51 Wexler Insurance Agency 29 Worldwide Diamond Co
BEN LEVINSON
BEN IS A NATIVE OF GEORGIA and graduated from the University of Georgia with a BBA in Marketing. He is a former President and Vice President of the Pawnbrokers Association of Georgia and former President, Vice President, and Secretary of the National Pawnbrokers Association. He has had an active role as a pawnbroker for over thirty-five years and serves as President of Dynasty Jewelry and Loan.
How did you get started in pawn?
I started my retail career with the now defunct Radio Shack. I was on the corporate path. Fortunately, I ran into a new superior and knew that we were just not going to be able to work together. Having married into a family that had been in the pawn business since 1923 that wanted me in the business, it was an easy decision.
What is the number one pawn skill you have?
Customer service.
What pawn talent do you wishyou had?
Although people may argue that accounting is not a pawn talent, I wish I was more talented in that department and liked it more.
What customer behavior aggravates you the most?
It does not happen often, but I do not like rude people. Do not be rude to my employees or my customers.
What customer behavior brings you joy?
When a customer shows they are appreciative of our services with things like a simple thank you, bringing us food, or writing a 5-star review. I really enjoy reading our reviews.
What is the weirdest thing you have ever written a loan for?
A 7-foot Boa Constrictor! The owner had to come in and feed it periodically. We now have a policy that we do not take anything that eats, or could eat us!
What career would you pick if you were not in pawn?
Something in the entertainment field.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Dropping by the pawnshop for a quick visit every now and then semi-retirement. Also, I would love to travel more.
Do you want your children to follow in your footsteps?
My son, Joel, already has. In fact, he is a better pawnbroker than I am.
What college degree would be great to have to work in pawn?
I graduated with a BBA in Marketing. It has been helpful. Having experience in a pawnshop is the real education. Yes, a college degree helps, but one from the University of Hard Knocks (UHK) will educate you well.
What is the one piece of advice to anyone considering the pawn industry?
It is like any other job. You get out of it what you put into it. It is hard work and a learning curve every day. Do not think you are going to become wealthy overnight. You will earn everything you accomplish, and hopefully, you will appreciate it.
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