As part of the Association News Committee for RMASFAA, we are highlighting our current committee chairs and state presidents. In each “RMASFAA Exchange” we will invite four or five of them to be “In the Spotlight” and give you the opportunity to better know these dedicated and hard-working volunteers.

I have been in the student loan industry for 17 years. I began working at Sallie Mae in Lawrence, Kansas in the Customer Service department answering the toll-free line in late 1988. I worked at Sallie Mae until 1994 and held various positions moving within different departments. I was able to learn a great deal about student loan processing and servicing.

In July 1994, we moved to Indianapolis where I worked for USA Group. I started as a Senior/Supervisor in Loan Applications then later transferred to Customer Service as their department trainer. In 1996, although staying with USA Group, I moved back to Lawrence and began working in the Kansas Marketing office as the office secretary. In early 1998, I was promoted to the Customer Service Coordinator and slowly began to market to colleges local to the Topeka/Kansas City area.

In 2000, I began working for USA Funds after the USA Group/Sallie Mae merger. I took the position of Customer Relations Manager over Kansas and Wyoming servicing schools and lenders within those states. This is the same position I hold today.

I grew up in Wichita, Kansas. I received my Associate of Arts in Business from Baker University in December, 2003. I have three children (18, 18, and 11) and a husband.

[Editors note: Valerie is RMASFAA’s Corporate Development Committee Chair and has been active in many Kansas, Wyoming, and RMASFAA committees and activities. She is also a talented presenter for our associations.]