New Orleans Collection Agency Makes Remarkable Recovery from Hurricanes

Newton & Associates, LLC, the 5th largest commercial collection agency in the United States, makes a remarkable recovery after the most devastating natural disaster in the history of our nation.

William Newton, President and CEO of Newton & Associates, LLC said the agency’s revenues for October 2005 will meet or exceed production levels expected prior to the two hurricanes.

“It’s an extraordinary success story,” said Newton. “That we were able to reach these production levels as rapidly as we did following the largest natural disaster in history is an incredible testament to our employees’ determination to rebuild our company and New Orleans area economy.”

Newton credits the phenomenal recovery to a well-formulated and executed disaster recovery plan, superior efforts from the company’s management team, fantastic employee attitude and the company’s clients. The company is expected to make $1.45 million in October 2005 despite the major setbacks caused by the hurricanes.

“Our employees did what they could to insure a quick and speedy recovery,” said Newton. “It was as if they were a highly-trained MASH unit that provided necessary triage and gave our company speedy and remarkable medical care.”

Immediately after the disaster, the company established a corporate command center in Atlanta and sent more than thirty key managers and producers to various branch locations.

Prior to the hurricanes, Newton & Associates, LLC had over 175 employees in its corporate offices located in Metairie, LA. Currently, the company has 130 employees in that same office.

“Housing our employees is our biggest challenge. There is not enough available to bring them back from our branch locations,” Newton said.

Newton & Associates, LLC opened for business in June 1994 with just 6 employees. Top executives grew the business to an average of $1.5 million a month with over 275 employees just before Hurricane Katrina. The company also expanded to include branches in Tucson, Denver and Vancouver, WA.

According to Inc. Magazine, Newton & Associates was an Inc 500 company in 2000, the 317th fastest growing company in the nation. New Orleans City Business also selected the agency as the 4th best place to work in New Orleans in 2003, and placed Newton and Associates as the 69th largest private company in Metro New Orleans.

“Many companies in the New Orleans area are being forced to close their doors for good,” said Tom Brenan, Chief Operating Officer of Newton & Associates. “We are grateful we have the ability to continue our business, provide our employees with a steady paycheck and ultimately help revive the great city of New Orleans and Jefferson Parish.”