David Williams
CEO
Management Team
David Williams is Chief Executive Officer of Williams & Fudge, Inc. and a long-standing voice in the accounts receivable management and financial services industry. With more than two decades of experience spanning sales, marketing, and executive leadership, David brings a broad, strategic perspective on compliance-driven growth, consumer finance, and the evolving regulatory landscape facing financial institutions.
In addition to leading Williams & Fudge’s long-term strategy, David is deeply engaged in industry advocacy at the national level. An active member of ACA International, he served as President of the Board from 2023–2024 and continues to work directly with policymakers in Washington, DC, advocating for balanced regulation and constructive collaboration between Congress and the financial services industry.
David is also widely recognized for his commitment to community leadership and public service. He is a co-founder of Miracle Park, an all-inclusive recreational space designed for people of all ages and abilities, and serves on multiple local boards in the Rock Hill area. His leadership has been recognized with honors including Rock Hill Businessperson of the Year and the ACPAC Ambassador of the Year Award.
David is frequently sought out for commentary on regulatory policy, financial services leadership, compliance, and the future of consumer-focused accounts receivable management.
Chris Ruh
President
Chris Ruh is President of Williams & Fudge, Inc., bringing more than 25 years of experience in operational leadership, organizational development, and financial services management. His career has been defined by a hands-on approach to building scalable operations, strengthening internal culture, and aligning day-to-day execution with long-term strategic goals.
Having held multiple leadership roles throughout his tenure, Chris offers deep insight into the operational realities of accounts receivable management, workforce development, and the implementation of industry best practices in highly regulated environments. His leadership philosophy centers on education, accountability, and sustainable performance—both for organizations and the people within them.
Chris is an active participant in industry and financial governance initiatives, serving on the Board of Trustees for South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities and the Board of Directors for Family Trust Federal Credit Union. He holds multiple professional certifications, including Professional Collection Specialist (PCS) and Higher Education Collection Specialist (HECS), underscoring his commitment to excellence and continued learning.
Chris is well positioned to comment on operational leadership, compliance execution, workforce training, and best practices within financial services and accounts receivable management.
Chad Kruse
Chief Information Officer
Chad Kruse joined Williams & Fudge, Inc. in 2024, bringing a strong track record of identifying business opportunities and implementing technology solutions that enhance performance across the organization. With a goal-oriented mindset and a passion for innovation, he approaches every project with creativity, precision, and a commitment to delivering exceptional results for clients and internal teams alike.
Chad has worked in the financial services industry since 2003 and the ARM industry since 2012, partnering with business leaders to drive meaningful improvements in revenue growth, cost efficiency, and risk management. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business from The Ohio State University and an MBA from Ohio Dominican University.
Amelia Anderson
Chief Strategy Officer
Amelia joined Williams & Fudge, Inc. in 2018, bringing extensive experience in sales, client relations, and marketing following more than a decade in the telecom industry serving in client-focused roles. As a graduate of Winthrop University with a bachelor’s degree in art, she has built a career rooted in creativity, strategic thinking, and meaningful relationship-building.
As Chief Strategy Officer, Amelia helps shape the company’s long-term vision and guides the strategic direction of the organization. She works closely with leadership to identify growth opportunities, strengthen the company’s competitive position, and encourage innovation across all areas of the business. Her ability to align people, purpose, and priorities supports collaboration and drives the company’s continued evolution.
Clay Goodyear
Vice President of Collections
Clay joined Williams & Fudge, Inc. with a distinguished background in collections and leadership, bringing decades of experience in operational oversight, training, and performance management. He has worked in the collection industry since 1986, helping organizations strengthen revenue cycles and elevate professional development across teams.
Throughout his career, Clay has led corporate training initiatives, guided client education programs, and supported staff development with a focus on quality, accountability, and service excellence. His dedication to advancing industry knowledge earned him the designation of Fellow in Collection Business Management, ACA International’s highest scholastic achievement in continuing education.
Adam Parham
Chief Platform Integration Officer
Adam joined Williams & Fudge, Inc. in 2011, bringing experience in software development, systems management, and technology-driven process improvement. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a degree in Computer Engineering, he began his career in a restaurant technology startup, contributing to feature development, system enhancements, and operational execution.
Throughout his tenure at Williams & Fudge, Adam has advanced through multiple technical leadership roles, including Director of Application Services, where he led the implementation of the company’s current collections platform and introduced key automation initiatives. Prior to his current role, he served as Vice President of Operations, guiding technology strategy, operational performance, and compliance-based process improvements.
As Chief Platform & Integration Officer, Adam leads the company’s data transformation and data strategy efforts, overseeing all systems, platforms, integrations, automation, and architecture. He collaborates closely with Compliance, Legal, Collections, IT, and third-party partners to ensure Reg F/FDCPA alignment and deliver scalable, compliant omnichannel outreach. His work focuses on enabling innovation, strengthening internal capabilities, and supporting long-term organizational growth through technology.
Jon Balon
Chief Technology Officer
Jon joined Williams & Fudge, Inc. in 2018, bringing extensive experience in product development and innovative technology solutions. As a graduate of Ball State University with a degree in Computer Science, he has worked in the financial services industry since 2001, contributing to a wide range of initiatives that enhance efficiency, user experience, and organizational performance.
Throughout his career, Jon has led product and innovation efforts, managed onboarding experiences, and implemented process improvements that elevate both internal operations and client-facing solutions. His passion for collaboration, problem-solving, and bringing new ideas to life continues to drive meaningful innovation within the company. Jon also serves as a member of the ACA Innovation & Technology Committee.
Ronnie Collins
Chief Financial Officer
Ronnie joined Williams & Fudge, Inc. in 2012 and has more than 25 years of experience in public and private accounting. As a certified professional accountant, he has extensive expertise in financial and managerial accounting, budgeting and forecasting, and business analysis, supporting organizations in achieving sustainable growth and operational efficiency.
Throughout his career, Ronnie has led financial operations, guided strategic planning efforts, and strengthened risk management practices that support long-term organizational performance. At Williams & Fudge, his responsibilities include directing all financial initiatives; overseeing treasury functions and internal and external reporting; and managing human resources, payroll, and benefits administration.
His analytical approach, business acumen, and commitment to sound financial stewardship continue to shape the company’s strategic direction and operational success.
Gary Williams
Chairman of the Board
Gary has been involved and innovative in student loan management since 1978. Since founding Williams & Fudge, Inc. in 1986, Gary has grown the company to be one of the leaders in the student loan collection industry. His knowledge and experience have afforded Gary opportunities to serve as an industry expert and guest speaker at various conferences throughout the United States.
Gary has held various leadership roles within industry organizations, including serving as President of ACA International and the Association of Credit and Collection Professionals. Additional leadership roles include his time as Vice President, Treasurer, and Board of Directors for this 5,400-member organization, allowing him to communicate with the top government collection agencies in the country. Locally, he has served his community as a member of Rock Hill School District Board of Trustees, his church and Boy Scouts of America. He is currently a Fellowship of Deacons member at his church, a Trustee of Winthrop University, Chair of the Camp Canaan Foundation and a Board Member of SC ETV. He was recognized by Winthrop University as an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters recipient.
Chad Echols
Outside General Counsel
Chad joined Williams & Fudge, Inc. in August of 2003 as the company’s Corporate Counsel. He currently serves as Outside General Counsel managing the company’s legal compliance issues, employment law issues, contracts, and litigation defense. He is the owner of The Echols Firm, LLC located in Rock Hill. Chad is an active member of the South Carolina Bar Association, the York County Bar Association, and ACA International. Chad serves as the South Carolina State Chair for ACA. Chad is licensed to practice law in the state of South Carolina, U.S. District Court for South Carolina, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, and the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals.
Chad currently serves on the Advisory Board for YMCA Camp Cherokee, the Upper Palmetto YMCA Corporate Board of Directors, the Anne Springs Close Greenway Board of Managers, served as the 2019 Chairperson for the Come-See-Me Festival, serves on the Come-See-Me Festival Board of Governors, and is an Elder at Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church. He enjoys time with his wife and two children, fly fishing, and cheering on the Clemson Tigers.
JR Berninzoni
Vice President of Sales
J.R. joined Williams & Fudge, Inc. in 2007 as Associate Vice President of Sales, bringing experience in supply chain management, project implementation, and client relations from his work with a Fortune 500 company. He has a strong track record of developing partnerships and driving business growth, advancing into leadership roles that support both strategic initiatives and team development.
As Vice President of Business Development, J.R. focuses on positioning the organization for continued growth by developing new market opportunities and strengthening strategic partnerships. His work centers on aligning business strategy with client needs and industry trends to support long-term success.
J.R. has served on multiple higher education boards, including the Colorado Association of Administrators of Student Loans and Accounts Receivable (CAASLAR) and the Texas Higher Education Business Officers (THEBO). He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Colorado Boulder and a master’s degree in technology management from the University of Denver.
Derek Hollis
Director of Compliance & Strategy
Derek joined Williams & Fudge, Inc. in 2017, bringing more than a decade of collections experience and a strong focus on portfolio strategy and performance improvement. He initially served as Portfolio Project Manager, working closely with clients to enhance recovery outcomes and gain insight into operational challenges across the portfolio lifecycle.
He was promoted to Director of Compliance & Strategy in 2020, where he identifies opportunities to strengthen processes from onboarding through post-collection activities. Derek has earned Business Intelligence Analyst certifications in Speech Analytics and Data Visualization, enabling him to translate complex data into meaningful insights and actionable strategies.
His ability to communicate through clear, visual storytelling supports organizational alignment and continuous improvement across teams and functions.
Zenon Butts
Vice President of Performance & Development
Zenon Butts brings more than three decades of leadership experience to Williams & Fudge, Inc., with a career rooted in building strong relationships, developing high-performing teams, and driving organizational success. His background spans executive leadership, revenue growth, talent development, and organizational strategy, where he has helped create environments that support both individual achievement and long-term business performance.
Zenon returned to Williams & Fudge, Inc. in early 2026, rejoining the organization with a deep understanding of its culture and a broader perspective shaped by his recent executive leadership roles. As Vice President of Performance & Development, he focuses on helping employees grow, strengthening leadership capabilities, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement across the organization. Known for his collaborative approach, clear communication, and commitment to developing people, Zenon plays an integral role in supporting both employee success and the company’s continued growth.