May 14–15, 2026 • Avista Resort • North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Connect. Protect. Collect. • Founded in 1961
Big picture: FMCA members gathered at the Avista Resort in North Myrtle Beach for two days built around a simple but powerful idea: credit professionals get stronger when they learn together. The May Education Conference brought together education, peer discussion, awards, governance, networking, and FMCA’s signature Credit Interchange—all under the banner of Connect. Protect. Collect.
The agenda reflected what credit teams are facing right now: trapped cash in manual A/R workflows, AI tools moving from theory into practice, and the continuing need for sound judgment when customers, payments, and risk signals get messy. Ryan Ayers helped members think through hidden DSO, digital credit support, and where AI can create practical leverage. Thea Dudley brought The Credit Confessional: Unleashed, turning the “what was I thinking?” moments every credit pro knows into lessons, laughter, and a credit culture reset.
But the biggest value of these conferences is not just what happens from the front of the room. It is the collective knowledge in the room: members comparing experiences, asking better questions, sharing historical payment trends and risk-management insights within FMCA’s antitrust guidelines, and helping each other make smarter credit decisions that protect receivables, facilitate sales, and strengthen the entire FMCA community. That is the strange little magic trick of a good trade association conference—every conversation has the chance to provide useful credit and risk-management insight.
Featured Speakers
Thea Dudley
Credit & Collections Leader, Author, Speaker, and Credit Overlord
Thea returned with The Credit Confessional: Unleashed, a session that was honest, funny, and painfully relatable in the best way. Drawing on decades of experience in trade credit and collections, she helped members unpack the messy decisions every credit pro eventually faces—and turn them into clarity, better judgment, and a stronger credit culture.
Ryan Ayers
Co-Founder & CEO, Suppli
Ryan led two practical sessions focused on where technology and AI can create real leverage in credit and A/R. His message was refreshingly grounded: AI is already here, but credit teams need to know where it helps, where it does not, and how to separate signal from vendor glitter-cannon nonsense.
FMCA Vice President & GM David Johnston with featured speakers Thea Dudley and Ryan Ayers.
Ryan Ayers presenting practical AI and A/R strategies for credit teams.
Thea Dudley leading The Credit Confessional: Unleashed.
Day 1 — Thursday, May 14
7:45–9:00 AM — Breakfast & Networking Members started the day with breakfast, conversations, and the kind of hallway intelligence that never quite fits on a spreadsheet.
9:15–9:45 AM — Ryan Ayers Hidden DSO: How a Digital Credit Teammate Finds and Eliminates Trapped Cash Ryan introduced the concept of hidden DSO—cash that may be collectible today but remains trapped by manual workflows, slow onboarding, missed follow-ups, and outdated payment experiences. Members left with a framework for spotting those bottlenecks and compressing the credit-to-cash cycle without simply adding headcount.
10:00–10:45 AM — Ryan Ayers When AR Meets AI: A Credit Team’s Practical Guide to Getting Started This session moved beyond AI hype and focused on what is actually production-ready now. Ryan covered where AI can deliver measurable ROI, how to evaluate workflows for readiness, and what questions to ask vendors before the shiny-object goblin steals your budget.
11:00 AM–12:00 PM — Roundtable Discussion Members shared current observations on payment trends, retailer health, collection challenges, and credit policy. The roundtable reinforced one of FMCA’s greatest strengths: candid peer discussion backed by real experience.
1:00–3:00 PM — Thea Dudley The Credit Confessional: Unleashed Thea brought the receipts, the humor, and the hard-earned credit wisdom. Members unpacked mistakes, regrets, and “what was I thinking?” moments—then reframed them as learning points that make credit professionals sharper, bolder, and better prepared for the next difficult decision.
4:45–6:00 PM — Networking Members and guests gathered at the hotel lounge to continue the conversations from the day.
Day 2 — Friday, May 15
8:30–8:45 AM — FMCA Awards Presentation
FMCA Co-Credit Managers of the Year
This year, FMCA recognized two outstanding professionals as Co-Credit Managers of the Year: Justine DeRogatis from Bedgear and Judy Watson from Parker House Furniture. This significant honor recognizes exceptional professionalism, industry involvement, leadership, responsiveness, and contributions both within their company and throughout the broader credit community.
Justine DeRogatis of Bedgear receives her Co-Credit Manager of the Year Award, presented by FMCA Board Member Ron Teglas of Lexington Home Brands.
Judy Watson of Parker House Furniture, recognized as FMCA Co-Credit Manager of the Year. Judy was unable to attend the conference this year and shared a photo with her award.
2026 FMCA Heritage Awards
FMCA recognized its 2026 FMCA Heritage Award recipients. The Heritage Award honors members who attend Credit Interchange Meetings, in-person and/or by teleconference, pull FMCA Credit Interchange Reports, and use FMCA’s Collection Services. Members in the top 5 for report usage or the top 5 for Collection Services usage also receive the Heritage Award.
This award recognizes members who consistently engage the tools that protect receivables and facilitate sales. It is the FMCA way: practical insight, participation, and community working together.
2026 FMCA Heritage Award recipients recognized during the May Education Conference.
Pictured: Tonya Westmoreland (Rowe Furniture); Bekky Eaton (Rowe Furniture); Ashley Pendleton (Rowe Furniture); Magaby Ramirez (IFD Group); Justine DeRogatis (Bedgear); Laura Williams (La-Z-Boy); Rashmi Jinwala (Tempur-Sealy); Yasmin Santiago (Tempur-Sealy); Donna Malizia (Bernhardt); Kristen Burch (Rosenthal Capital Group); Chris Canipe (Rosenthal Capital Group); Aimee Shinosky (La-Z-Boy); Brian Spencer (Hooker Furniture); Jan Coggin (Homestretch); Ron Teglas (Lexington Home Brands); Curtis Porter (Universal Furniture); Melody Taylor (Sherrill Furniture); Wendy Tester (Lee Industries); Randy Abernathy (Bernhardt Furniture); Viktoryia Parris (American Leather); Tiffany Roberts (Vaughan-Bassett); Jennifer Weddle (Jensen Outdoor); Carolyn Hinterberger (Woodbridge Furniture).
Not pictured: A-America, Inc.; Ashley Furniture, LLC; Bassett Furniture; C.R. Laine Furniture Co.; Emerald Home Furnishings; Leather Italia, USA; Legacy Classic Furniture; Magnussen Home Furnishings; Martin Furniture; MLily USA, Inc.; Modus Furniture International; Parker House Furniture; Riverside Furniture; Vanguard Furniture; Vivet, Inc.; Whitewood Industries.
8:45–9:45 AM — Roundtable Discussion Members continued the practical peer discussion with a focus on current account activity, risk indicators, collection challenges, and sales-supporting credit decisions.
Shareholders’ Meeting & Board of Directors
10:00–10:20 AM — FMCA Shareholders’ Meeting FMCA then held its annual Shareholders’ Meeting. FMCA is a member-owned association established in 1961 for credit professionals in the home furnishings supply industry and is governed by a board of directors elected from the membership. Board Treasurer Aimee Shinosky from La-Z-Boy presented results from FMCA’s year-end review, performed by Smith Leonard PLLC. Charles Aiosa from Rosenthal Capital Group and Aimee Shinosky from La-Z-Boy were both unanimously re-elected for three-year terms.
2026 FMCA Board of Directors
Role
Name
Company
Term
President
Brian Spencer
Hooker Furniture
Term Exp. May ’27
Vice President
Randy Abernathy
Bernhardt Furniture
Term Exp. May ’28
Treasurer
Aimee Wassel-Shinosky
La-Z-Boy Inc.
Term Exp. May ’29
Secretary
Wendy Tester
Lee Industries
Term Exp. May ’27
Board Member
Charles Aiosa
Rosenthal Capital Group
Term Exp. May ’29
Board Member
Ron Teglas
Lexington Home Brands
Term Exp. May ’28
Outside Director
Dave Carpenter
Retired with over 38 years in the industry
Officer / Vice President & General Manager
David Johnston
Furniture Manufacturers Credit Association
Credit Interchange Session
10:30 AM — Credit Interchange Session The conference concluded with FMCA’s signature Credit Interchange session. Members reviewed industry-specific trade experiences, payment trends, and account activity—fact-based information that helps credit professionals manage risk, support confident sales, and get paid.
What Members Took Home
A practical AI starting point. Members left with clearer questions to ask, better workflows to examine, and a healthier suspicion of sparkle-dusted tech claims.
A sharper view of hidden DSO. Small process delays can trap real cash. Finding those delays is now part of the credit playbook.
A credit culture reset. Thea Dudley reminded members that mistakes are not the end of the story—they are often the tuition paid for better judgment.
Renewed value from Interchange. Peer insight, shared experience, and industry-specific data remain FMCA’s strongest advantage.
Thank you to Ryan Ayers, Thea Dudley, our award recipients, board members, and every FMCA member who participated, shared, challenged, and contributed to another successful conference.
FMCA: Empowering suppliers and factoring firms to make smarter credit decisions and get paid.
Tap into the collective knowledge and experience of over 70 of the top Suppliers and Factoring Firms in the home furnishings and accessories supply industry
Spring High Point MarketNew Member Special
75% off Dues for 2026 plus 50 Free Credit Interchange Reports
Outdoor/Casual Only Suppliers (No 2026 Dues PLUS 1/2 off Reports after 50 free)
FMCA 2026 May Education Conference Recap
FMCA 2026 May Education Conference Recap
May 14–15, 2026 • Avista Resort • North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Connect. Protect. Collect. • Founded in 1961
Big picture: FMCA members gathered at the Avista Resort in North Myrtle Beach for two days built around a simple but powerful idea: credit professionals get stronger when they learn together. The May Education Conference brought together education, peer discussion, awards, governance, networking, and FMCA’s signature Credit Interchange—all under the banner of Connect. Protect. Collect.
The agenda reflected what credit teams are facing right now: trapped cash in manual A/R workflows, AI tools moving from theory into practice, and the continuing need for sound judgment when customers, payments, and risk signals get messy. Ryan Ayers helped members think through hidden DSO, digital credit support, and where AI can create practical leverage. Thea Dudley brought The Credit Confessional: Unleashed, turning the “what was I thinking?” moments every credit pro knows into lessons, laughter, and a credit culture reset.
But the biggest value of these conferences is not just what happens from the front of the room. It is the collective knowledge in the room: members comparing experiences, asking better questions, sharing historical payment trends and risk-management insights within FMCA’s antitrust guidelines, and helping each other make smarter credit decisions that protect receivables, facilitate sales, and strengthen the entire FMCA community. That is the strange little magic trick of a good trade association conference—every conversation has the chance to provide useful credit and risk-management insight.
Featured Speakers
Thea Dudley
Credit & Collections Leader, Author, Speaker, and Credit Overlord
Thea returned with The Credit Confessional: Unleashed, a session that was honest, funny, and painfully relatable in the best way. Drawing on decades of experience in trade credit and collections, she helped members unpack the messy decisions every credit pro eventually faces—and turn them into clarity, better judgment, and a stronger credit culture.
Ryan Ayers
Co-Founder & CEO, Suppli
Ryan led two practical sessions focused on where technology and AI can create real leverage in credit and A/R. His message was refreshingly grounded: AI is already here, but credit teams need to know where it helps, where it does not, and how to separate signal from vendor glitter-cannon nonsense.
Day 1 — Thursday, May 14
7:45–9:00 AM — Breakfast & Networking
Members started the day with breakfast, conversations, and the kind of hallway intelligence that never quite fits on a spreadsheet.
9:15–9:45 AM — Ryan Ayers
Hidden DSO: How a Digital Credit Teammate Finds and Eliminates Trapped Cash
Ryan introduced the concept of hidden DSO—cash that may be collectible today but remains trapped by manual workflows, slow onboarding, missed follow-ups, and outdated payment experiences. Members left with a framework for spotting those bottlenecks and compressing the credit-to-cash cycle without simply adding headcount.
10:00–10:45 AM — Ryan Ayers
When AR Meets AI: A Credit Team’s Practical Guide to Getting Started
This session moved beyond AI hype and focused on what is actually production-ready now. Ryan covered where AI can deliver measurable ROI, how to evaluate workflows for readiness, and what questions to ask vendors before the shiny-object goblin steals your budget.
11:00 AM–12:00 PM — Roundtable Discussion
Members shared current observations on payment trends, retailer health, collection challenges, and credit policy. The roundtable reinforced one of FMCA’s greatest strengths: candid peer discussion backed by real experience.
1:00–3:00 PM — Thea Dudley
The Credit Confessional: Unleashed
Thea brought the receipts, the humor, and the hard-earned credit wisdom. Members unpacked mistakes, regrets, and “what was I thinking?” moments—then reframed them as learning points that make credit professionals sharper, bolder, and better prepared for the next difficult decision.
4:45–6:00 PM — Networking
Members and guests gathered at the hotel lounge to continue the conversations from the day.
Day 2 — Friday, May 15
8:30–8:45 AM — FMCA Awards Presentation
FMCA Co-Credit Managers of the Year
This year, FMCA recognized two outstanding professionals as Co-Credit Managers of the Year: Justine DeRogatis from Bedgear and Judy Watson from Parker House Furniture. This significant honor recognizes exceptional professionalism, industry involvement, leadership, responsiveness, and contributions both within their company and throughout the broader credit community.
2026 FMCA Heritage Awards
FMCA recognized its 2026 FMCA Heritage Award recipients. The Heritage Award honors members who attend Credit Interchange Meetings, in-person and/or by teleconference, pull FMCA Credit Interchange Reports, and use FMCA’s Collection Services. Members in the top 5 for report usage or the top 5 for Collection Services usage also receive the Heritage Award.
This award recognizes members who consistently engage the tools that protect receivables and facilitate sales. It is the FMCA way: practical insight, participation, and community working together.
Pictured: Tonya Westmoreland (Rowe Furniture); Bekky Eaton (Rowe Furniture); Ashley Pendleton (Rowe Furniture); Magaby Ramirez (IFD Group); Justine DeRogatis (Bedgear); Laura Williams (La-Z-Boy); Rashmi Jinwala (Tempur-Sealy); Yasmin Santiago (Tempur-Sealy); Donna Malizia (Bernhardt); Kristen Burch (Rosenthal Capital Group); Chris Canipe (Rosenthal Capital Group); Aimee Shinosky (La-Z-Boy); Brian Spencer (Hooker Furniture); Jan Coggin (Homestretch); Ron Teglas (Lexington Home Brands); Curtis Porter (Universal Furniture); Melody Taylor (Sherrill Furniture); Wendy Tester (Lee Industries); Randy Abernathy (Bernhardt Furniture); Viktoryia Parris (American Leather); Tiffany Roberts (Vaughan-Bassett); Jennifer Weddle (Jensen Outdoor); Carolyn Hinterberger (Woodbridge Furniture).
Not pictured: A-America, Inc.; Ashley Furniture, LLC; Bassett Furniture; C.R. Laine Furniture Co.; Emerald Home Furnishings; Leather Italia, USA; Legacy Classic Furniture; Magnussen Home Furnishings; Martin Furniture; MLily USA, Inc.; Modus Furniture International; Parker House Furniture; Riverside Furniture; Vanguard Furniture; Vivet, Inc.; Whitewood Industries.
8:45–9:45 AM — Roundtable Discussion
Members continued the practical peer discussion with a focus on current account activity, risk indicators, collection challenges, and sales-supporting credit decisions.
Shareholders’ Meeting & Board of Directors
10:00–10:20 AM — FMCA Shareholders’ Meeting
FMCA then held its annual Shareholders’ Meeting. FMCA is a member-owned association established in 1961 for credit professionals in the home furnishings supply industry and is governed by a board of directors elected from the membership. Board Treasurer Aimee Shinosky from La-Z-Boy presented results from FMCA’s year-end review, performed by Smith Leonard PLLC. Charles Aiosa from Rosenthal Capital Group and Aimee Shinosky from La-Z-Boy were both unanimously re-elected for three-year terms.
2026 FMCA Board of Directors
Credit Interchange Session
10:30 AM — Credit Interchange Session
The conference concluded with FMCA’s signature Credit Interchange session. Members reviewed industry-specific trade experiences, payment trends, and account activity—fact-based information that helps credit professionals manage risk, support confident sales, and get paid.
What Members Took Home
Thank you to Ryan Ayers, Thea Dudley, our award recipients, board members, and every FMCA member who participated, shared, challenged, and contributed to another successful conference.
FMCA: Empowering suppliers and factoring firms to make smarter credit decisions and get paid.
© 2026 Furniture Manufacturers Credit Association (FMCA)