B BERT GOLDBERG International Factoring Association
ert Goldberg is the executive director of the International Factoring Association (IFA). Bert founded the IFA in 1998 after a career as a computer programmer. After graduating from California State University, Northridge, in 1978 with a degree in accounting information systems, he went on to work at a medical billing company as a software developer followed by employment at Vandenberg Air Force Base, working on the space shuttle program as a computer programmer. Goldberg then joined Distinctive Solutions, a software firm catering to the asset-based lending and factoring industry. While working at Distinctive Solutions, he earned his M.B.A. from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.
Goldberg commented on how he first got involved with the factoring industry: “I took a year off from Distinctive Solutions in 1984 to travel around the world backpacking. It was a great experience. I then returned to Distinctive where I became a vice president and, eventually, president. It was at Distinctive that I attended my first SFNet (then CFA) Convention 40 years ago. We were one of the first exhibitors, actually. When I became president of Distinctive Solutions, I started user group meetings for our software users. Since I was a computer programmer, public speaking was not something I enjoyed. For our first meeting, I brought in speakers to cut down on my speaking time. The speakers at our first conference were Bob Zadek, Esq. who spoke about legal issues and Bob Weisberg who spoke about medical factoring. The outside speakers became so popular that we had non-users wanting to attend our user group meeting. I created the International Factoring Association and promoted our events under that name so that I could have non-software users attend our meetings. “When Distinctive was sold to 3iInfotech, I was launched into a career as a full-time association executive director and never looked back. We now have nearly 500 members and our conferences draw 800-900 attendees.” In 2009, during the recession, IFA’s members were facing several legislative challenges, according to Goldberg. “So I created the American Factoring Association, our advocacy arm. The AFA is a 501(c)6 nonprofit. Allen Frederic was the president from the inception until last year, when Cole Harmonson of Dare Capital took over.” Goldberg summed up why he enjoys what he does with one word: “fun.” “I love what I do. I love the people I have gotten to know over the years, and I truly have fun running IFA. The events we put on and the other events we attend are truly enjoyable.” Goldberg has made
a concerted effort of trying to work with other organizations, such as the SFNet, to try to eliminate competition and create a symbiotic relationship between the two groups. “Factors are a special group of people. They exist to help small businesses not only survive, but to grow, and that’s pretty special. I’m proud to have worked alongside so many good people for so many years,” he said. Goldberg went on to say: “If you compare running an association to computer programming, I get much more satisfaction from IFA. I like that there are set projects, such as events, that are done when they are done. You then move on to the next project. With programming, there are bugs, upgrades, etc. that must be dealt with on an ongoing basis.” When asked about the significant changes he has seen in the factoring industry over the years, Goldberg said, “The growth of the industry has been impressive. Despite significant M&A, there are constantly new factoring organizations being launched. Also, factoring has become a more mainstream, accepted form of capital.” In 2012, Goldberg was paralyzed from the waist down in a kitesurfing accident. He continued to run the IFA from bed during the first year of hospitalization and rehabilitation, and was able to return to his position full time after a year of hospitalization and rehabilitation. He credits his wife, Cheryl, and daughter, Maleah, for getting him through his recovery. He is currently battling pancreatic cancer, which has forced him to take a step back from his role at IFA. “I have no regrets,” said Goldberg. “I’ve enjoyed my time as founder and head of the IFA and have especially enjoyed the people I’ve worked with over the years, all of which I’ve come to call true friends.”
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THE SECURED LENDER NOV. 2021