Melody Taquino

I’m a Vendor Management and Risk Operations professional with 20+ years of experience supporting direct and third-Party vendors in highly regulated auto finance, collections, repossession, skip tracing, and legal recovery. I oversee multi-state vendor networks, enforce SLAs, and stabilize high-risk portfolios while keeping operations compliant and audit-ready.

In my Collection, Skip trace and Asset Resolution Specialist role (2007–current), I manage and audit vendors and direct clients across repossessions, skip tracing, collections, and legal recovery. I also developed FDCPA training and operational manuals, and I drive compliance, quality, and customer service across portfolios ranging from $89M to $470M. I negotiate settlements and payment arrangements and partner with legal and compliance teams for audits, litigation, and regulatory reviews.

Across transitions and mergers, I focus on speed and control—reducing newly acquired collection portfolios from 15% to under 1.5% within 90 days during client mergers. Previously, as Managing Partner at MDT & Son Enterprises Inc. (2001–2007), I maintained end-of-month collections under 1% and reduced newly acquired client collection portfolios from 18% to less than 3% within 90 days, while conducting risk assessments on debt portfolios.

My operational background also includes leading teams and running day-to-day services, including internal audits, dealer/vendor performance, and regulatory compliance as Operations Director at AutoMax Acceptance (1998–2001). I bring a crisis-intervention and de-escalation mindset to high-stakes situations, shaped further by direct support work providing tailored behavior strategies and crisis response for individuals with special needs.