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Partner
nhughes@connect1consultants.com
Nancy Hughes is a 30-year veteran and highly accomplished professional in the BPO and Receivables Management industries. As a partner at Connect1 Consultants she leverages her vast experience to work with executives across various verticals. Nancy’s projects range from vendor selection and management for large financial and healthcare institutions to selling debt portfolios to assisting both small and large firms in their exit strategies.
Hughes began her career as a Sales Representative for a small AR firm, swiftly advancing to lead the company’s expansion from 8 to 400+ employees and managing its eventual acquisition by one of the largest Accounts Receivables companies in 2003. She then contributed her expertise as EVP at Absolute Resolutions Corp and Teleperformance International, focusing on client relationship management and growth and portfolio acquisition strategies.
Nancy is recognized for her dedication to creating successful partnerships and developing innovative programs that elevate organizations. Her efforts were acknowledged when she was a finalist for the 2019 Woman Business Owner of the Year by NAWOB. She is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and is an active member of the industry’s leading associations.
Beyond her professional endeavors, she is committed to philanthropy, volunteering for American Heart Association, Challenged Athletes Foundation, and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, where she notably raised over $130,000 for cancer research during a 10 week campaign when she was nominated for Woman Fundraiser of the Year. She was honored with a key to the city in 2022 for her efforts.
Based in San Diego, CA, Hughes’ career and charitable activities highlight her passion for both industry excellence and community service.
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Partner
rpicone@connect1consultants.com
Robert J. Picone is a seasoned, knowledgeable, and widely respected executive with over 35 years of experience in the Credit &Collections Industry.
Beginning in 2014 Picone started his own consulting firm joining forces with Nancy Hughes in 2017 forming Connect1 Consultants. Connect1 Consultants specializes in Debt Sales, Agency Management and all aspects of matching the right solution with the right vendor. Connect1 has grown expodentially year over year since inception.
From 2008 through 2014, Picone was the Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for a top industry collection agency (ARM)with direct responsibility for the majority of the company’s key client relationships as well as new business development.
From 1994 to 2008, Picone steadily progressed through the road of Operations Management positions at another industry collection agency in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, eventually ascending to the role of Chief Operations Officer. Under his leadership, the organization grew from 50employees and $9.6 million in revenue into one of the most admired AROs in the space with approximately 350 employees and $60 million per year in revenue, with a roster of the most coveted banking, auto , and retail clients in the Financial Services Industry.
From roughly 2003, Picone became a staple for presentations and panel participation at the most important conferences for Credit &Collection as well as a highly respected participant in the Debt Buyers’ Association.
Prior to joining ARM, Picone spent nine years with Citibank Credit Services at their Shrewsbury, New Jersey, Operating Center. There, he trained in the most thorough and revered training regimen in the industry at that time, and made steady promotions eventually
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VP of Client Relations & Compliance
lburch@connect1consultants.com
Lisa Burch Schluter is a seasoned leader in client relations and regulatory compliance, currently serving as Vice President of Client Relations & Compliance at Connect1, LLC, a business consulting firm specializing in accounts receivable management, debt sale management, and more. With over 20 years of experience in the receivables and recovery industry, Lisa is known for her strategic leadership, compliance expertise, and unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional, high-touch client service.
At Connect1, she plays a pivotal role in managing strategic client partnerships, ensuring regulatory and data security compliance, and enhancing operational performance. Lisa brings extensive insight into the dynamics of consumer finance and leads initiatives that generate measurable outcomes for Fortune 500 clients across industries including financial services, healthcare, B2B, and telecommunications. Her leadership plays a vital role in advancing Connect1’s mission to align clients with the ideal vendor partners through customized, strategic, and compliance-focused solutions.
Lisa’s professional background includes senior roles at Mercantile Adjustment Bureau, LLC, where she served as Client Relations Specialist, and a 16-year tenure as Vice President of Client Services at Accounts Receivable Management, where she refined her skills in operational oversight, client management, and compliance processes in the receivables management sector.
Certified as a Receivables Compliance Professional (CRCP) by the Receivables Management Association International, Lisa upholds the highest industry standards in consumer protection, data security, and compliance program management. Her reputation is built on integrity, operational excellence, and an ability to cultivate long-term client relationships built on trust and performance.
Based in Florida and working remotely, Lisa combines a passion for progress with a consistent focus on both client experience and compliance innovation. She is also an advocate for industry collaboration and community engagement, supporting initiatives that elevate best practices in receivables and recovery management.