Thomas M. Coates is the Executive Director and co-founder of Consumer Credit of America. As Executive Director, Tom oversees the staff and operation of the organization. His responsibilities include providing strategic direction for the organization, the education and training of credit counselors, policy formulation, legislative involvement in consumer credit issues, and spearheading the public relations efforts. He is a well-recognized spokesman to the media on credit and gambling issues. Tom has given numerous talks and interviews to national media which include; The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Today Show, CBS Sunday Morning, Focus on the Family, Business Week and the BBC.
An Iowa native, Tom has a BA degree in Accounting and Business from Simpson College, in Indianola, Iowa, and was in the investment brokerage business for ten years prior to his founding of Consumer Credit. Community leadership roles and affiliations include: Stewardship Chairman for the Norwalk Methodist Church, Past Chairman of the Iowa Prayer Breakfast Committee, Board Member of the Better Business Bureau of Des Moines, Vice-President of Truth About Gambling, past board member of the Norwalk Chamber of Commerce, and past board member for Iowa Credit Association. Tom has been married to his wife, LeeAnn, for 28 years and has 3 adult children.
