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 Welcome to the Greater Atlanta ACAMS Chapter web page! This new Chapter was founded in 2011by an Executive Board composed of professionals from the AML field active throughout the Greater Metropolitan Atlanta region. The Chapter's role is to assist the international association in its mission to advance the professional knowledge, skills and experience of those dedicated to the detection and prevention of money laundering and to combating the financing of terrorism. The Chapter will serve AML professionals throughout Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee by providing meaningful opportunities for ongoing professional development and networking. The Chapter will be a resource for financial institutions and related businesses to identify specialists in the rapidly expanding anti-money laundering field with meetings and events of local interest available to members and non-members. By joining and participating in the Chapter, you can keep your AML skills up to date while developing deeper relationships with others sharing your passion and commitment to protecting their company, customers and communities served.
The Atlanta Chapter of ACAMS launched in June 2011 and was formed to advance the professional knowledge, skills and experience of anti-money laundering professionals in the region. If you are interested in joining the chapter, click the link below.
Join Now!
(*You must be a member of ACAMS to join a chapter. For ACAMS membership information, click here ACAMS Membership.)
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Upcoming Events
Human Trafficking and Modern Day Slavery
Thursday, July 11, 2013
2 - 4 PM
Bryan Cave, LLP
1201 W Peachtree Street | Atlanta, GA 30309 | (404) 572-6600
Parking is available at 14th Street and West Peachtree | $4 cash and cards accepted
Please join the Atlanta ACAMS Chapter on Thursday, July 11, 2013 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm at the Atlanta offices of Bryan Cave to learn more about Human Trafficking and Modern Day Slavery. Our guests from Homeland Security Investigations will describe ways in which human trafficking and modern slavery are causing pain, suffering and heartache to women, children and men. We'll see how such activities are impacting the very communities in which we live and serve. We'll review red flags for which to be alert so that we might better identify and report suspicious activity. In addition to learning how to better help identify and stop unlawful activity, we'll also learn of some ways in which we and/or financial institutions might consider contributing to bring hope and healing to persons who have been the victims of such activity.
Working together, we can make a difference.
Guest Speaker: Brock D. Nicholson
Special Agent in Charge
Homeland Security Investigations, Georgia
In May of 2011, Brock D. Nicholson was appointed as the Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations in Atlanta, GA. In this position, he is responsible for all HSI law enforcement investigative efforts in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. He entered on duty in Atlanta, GA as the Deputy SAC in June 2006.
Prior to his assignment as the Deputy SAC Atlanta, Mr. Nicholson held several management and supervisory positions at ICE Headquarters. He was the first ICE OI Division 2 Unit Chief assigned as Deputy Section Chief of the FBI Terrorist Finance Operations Section. Other HQ assignments included serving as a Program Manager and later Assistant Director of Operation GreenQuest in US Customs Headquarters.
In addition to serving as Deputy SAC Atlanta, Mr. Nicholson's other field assignments were in Nashville, Tennessee as the Resident Agent in Charge with oversight of central and Eastern Tennessee and Northern Alabama, in Dallas, Texas as the HIDTA Group Supervisor, and began his federal career in 1987 in Brownsville, Texas as a US Customs Special Agent conducting a wide variety of investigations. Mr. Nicholson has undergraduate degrees in Political Science and Sociology from the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville, IN.
Guest Speaker : Ms. Alia El-Sawi
Alia El-Sawi currently serves as the Victim Assistance Specialist for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Her area of responsibility includes all of Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. In this capacity, she designs and provides educational trainings and outreach to law enforcement, attorneys, mainstream service providers, and community-based organizations on human trafficking and child exploitation. Additionally, she is involved in conducting victim interviews and completing a portion of the immigration documents and relief available to human trafficking survivors. She works to establish collaborative relationships locally, statewide, and nationally. Prior to her work with Homeland Security, Alia worked for a non-profit, Tapestri, and served as the Anti-Human Trafficking Program Coordinator. In her past position, she provided trainings, outreach, and direct services/case management to foreign-born survivors of human trafficking. Alia also worked on cases that involved immigrant and refugee survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and rape. She also served as the Chair of the Department of Health and Human Services' Rescue & Restore Board for 3 years and served as the Freedom Network's Social Service Committee Chair for 3 years. Alia is experienced in public speaking and has made many presentations for the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, and Department of State. She has also presented in other local, state, national, and international events and conferences. Alia speaks Arabic, French, Spanish, and conversational Portuguese; she has Bachelors degrees from Mercer University in International Affairs and another in French. Additionally, Alia has her Masters degree from Boston University in Criminal Justice with a focus in Victimology.
ACAMS Atlanta Chapter Members – No Charge
Non-Chapter Members - $20.00
(Join the Atlanta Chapter and your admission is FREE)
RSVP HERE
The Atlanta Chapter of ACAMS would like to especially thank Bryan Cave, LLP for hosting the event.
Previous Events
Session Description: Digital Currencies, Third Party Payment Processing, Oh My!
April 25, 2013
Look Backs: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
June 7, 2012
Best Practices for BSA/AML Software Testing, Tuning and Acceptance
March 15, 2012
On March 15, 2012 the ACAMS Atlanta Chapter held a Learning Event titled "Best Practices for BSA/AML Software Testing, Tuning, and Acceptance." The presentation featured Allan Cuttle, Director of Risk Management for ICS Risk Advisors. Allan Cuttle brings more than 20 years of experience in Operational Risk Management (ORM), Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering (BSA/AML), and Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance (SOX) to ICS Risk Advisors. Allan has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting/Finance, from Wagner College. In 2002 and 2003, Allan was one of the primary authors of The Wolfsberg Anti-Money Laundering Principles for Private Banking (www.wolfsberg-principles.com).
ACAMS Atlanta Chapter Quarterly CPE and General Membership Meeting
November 3, 2011
ACAMS Atlanta Chapter Launch
August 22, 2011
Executive Board
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Jay Postma, CAMS
Co-Chair
MSB Compliance Inc.
Jay is the founder and President of MSB Compliance Inc. which provides BSA/AML compliance consulting to money services businesses and other financial institutions. With over 25 years experience in financial services, Jay has worked as an intrepreneur within the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and entrepreneur at Towne Services and at El Banco de Nuestra Comunidad to create value while ensuring effective risk mitigation. As Vice President, Division Operations Manager, and Bank Secrecy Act Officer with Flag Bank until its acquisition by RBC Centura, Mr. Postma advised executive management and the Board of Directors of increasingly stringent BSA regulatory expectations and revised, developed and implemented formal compliance policies and procedures. Since founding MSB Compliance in 2006, Jay has provided consulting services to numerous MSBs and banks on BSA/AML compliance issues, conducted independent reviews, and worked with a variety of businesses to ensure effective risk mitigation.
Email: jay.postma@msbcomplianceinc.com
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John Schmarkey, CAMS, CFE
Co-Chair
Open
John is a charter CAMS member and an active Certified Fraud Examiner, who has served the U.S. Treasury Department, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation for twenty seven years as a senior Special Agent. He has a broad background in tax fraud and financial fraud investigations and money laundering matters with international aspects. This includes a decade serving in organized crime and terrorism task forces, with investigative experience on assignments in Southwest Asia and in Europe and in Latin America. He has additional international experience in the intelligence community and as a linguist. John has non-government experience in public accounting and manufacturing. He is currently a board member, vice president, controller of a forest products company. He is a member of the Advisory Board for The Center for Forensic Studies in Accounting and Business, at Georgia Southern University. He speaks to college classes and professional groups on fraud and money laundering. He enjoys interacting and serves as a team coach for the Adrian Project, fraud investigation seminars, and has developed and presented courses at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
Email: schmarkey@comcast.net
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Erica Harper, CAMS
Secretary
MSB Compliance Inc.
Prior to joining MSB Compliance as a BSA/AML Specialist, Erica worked as a community banker for over eight years. She is bilingual, speaking both English and Spanish fluently.
Beginning her career as a front line teller with a bank seeking to begin serving a growing Hispanic customer base, Erica provided excellent customer service and support. Erica later served as a bilingual Customer Service Representative before moving into a full time compliance management role for several years.
As Compliance Specialist for a bank operating a Hispanic banking division with seven branches staffed almost entirely by recent Hispanic immigrants, Erica was a key player in helping to manage the bank's BSA/AML risk management program. Significant duties included: performing ongoing compliance reviews and audits of branch operations; implementing and maintaining procedures for the provision of banking services to MSBs; and, development and presentation of tailored training programs to the bank's Hispanic staff. Oversight of branch compliance and ongoing training of staff was of particular importance as the bank provided non-traditional services more typically provided by MSBs in addition to traditional banking services. Erica performed periodic customer site visits of small MSBs independently and with account managers. She also actively reviewed and evaluated compliance materials provided by the bank's MSB customers as part of mitigating the bank's BSA/AML compliance risk. Additionally, Erica assisted in reviewing, updating, and implementing the BSA/AML, CIP and OFAC compliance programs of the bank.
Erica earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish with an emphasis in Business from North Georgia College and State University. Additionally, she has achieved recognition as a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) through the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS).
Email: erica.harper@msbcomplianceinc.com
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Lawrence (Larry) Iwanski, CAMS, CPA, CFF
Treasurer
Ernst & Young LLP
Larry is a Senior Manager with Ernst & Young LLP in Atlanta where he is a part of the Fraud Investigations & Dispute Services (FIDS) group. He has over twelve years of Big Four public accounting experience providing organizations with fraud and investigative services, advisory services, and operational and organizational leadership. He has assisted global banks with AML investigation services and AML Operations training.
Larry earned a BS in Economics from the United States Military Academy at West Point and an MS in Accountancy from the University of Notre Dame. He is a Certified Public Accountant in Georgia; Certified in Financial Forensics; and a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist.
Email: larry.iwanski@ey.com
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Robert Klingler
Co-Treasurer
Bryan Cave LLP
Rob is a bank regulatory attorney with Bryan Cave LLP. Rob advises financial institutions, as well as their officers and directors, concerning the issues resulting from the current difficult financial and regulatory environment. These issues include advice reflecting all aspects of regulatory compliance and enforcement actions. He also provides counsel regarding raising capital, strategic alternatives, corporate governance matters, minimizing director and officer liability and strategies for dealing with dissident shareholders. Rob has advised clients on, and is a frequent public speaker about, the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.
Rob is the founder and principal editor of BankBryanCave.com, Bryan Cave's legal blog focused on banking law issues for community banks. Prior to joining the firm, Rob was an assistant coach of the University of Florida Speech and Debate Team. Rob initiated the University of Florida's parliamentary debate program and led it to national prominence.
Email: robert.klingler@bryancave.com
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Christopher Grippa, CAMS,CPA,CFF, CFE
Membership Director
Alvarez & Marsal
Chris is a Managing Director with Alvarez & Marsal in Atlanta. For more than a decade, Chris has been working with attorneys and management to provide accounting and financial guidance to organizations across the globe. He specializes in advising clients on complex matters involving compliance, investigations and disputes.
Chris earned his bachelor and master degree in accounting at Tulane University. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Florida and Georgia. He's also Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF), a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) and a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE). Chris currently serves on the board of the Georgia Chapter of Certified Fraud Examiners
Email: cgrippa@alvarezandmarsal.com
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John H. Atkinson
Co-Membership Director
Protiviti
John is a Director with Protiviti in the firm's Regulatory Risk Consulting practice. John joined Protiviti in June 2008 after a 30-year career at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, where he had oversight and management responsibilities at the official level for numerous bank supervision functions, including anti-money laundering, enforcement, fiduciary risk, international bank supervision, operations risk, consumer compliance, and policy development. At Protiviti John consults with a broad array of financial institution clients on regulatory and risk management issues, with an emphasis on anti-money laundering risk management. John has been a regular speaker for many years at professional conferences and events for industry, regulatory, and law enforcement groups on both a national and international basis. He has a B.A. degree in Economics from Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, and attended the Executive Development Program at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois.
Email: john.atkinson@protiviti.com
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Eric Hood
Program Director
TSYS, Inc.
Eric currently serves as the Associate Director of Risk and Compliance for TSYS; a global leader in card processing. Prior to joining TSYS he served as the BSA Compliance Officer for ITC Financial Licenses, Inc. (ITCFL) and InComm. ITCFL is a Money Services Business which sells open-loop gift and reloadable financial services products through a network of over 80,000 retail locations. He played the primary role in the development of the BSA program for ITCFL. Eric also served as a banking officer with Synovus Financial Corporation and worked in the Compliance group working primarily with regulatory lending issues. Eric is a graduate of the ABA National Compliance School and a member of ACAMS.
Email: ehood@tsys.com |
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Beverly Polack, CAMS
Co-Programming Director
Skylight Financial
Beverly has over 25 years of regulatory banking experience. She joined Skylight Financial in 2006 as the Compliance Officer. Prior to joining Skylight Financial Beverly worked for Standard Chartered Bank as Vice President of Operations; Pine Bank as Compliance Officer, and Espirito Santo Bank, Vice President –Loans Operations Manager. Beverly is extremely skilled in the financial banking sector with a strong understanding of regulatory requirements and international standards through her leadership in managing anti-money laundering related projects and initiatives. Beverly holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Barry University.
Email: bpolack@netspend.com |
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Charlie Michael Hettler
Communications Director
SunTrust Bank
Mr. Hettler is a First Vice President BSA/AML Risk Manager 2 within SunTrust's Wholesale AML Center of Excellence. Mr. Hettler has expertise in Risk & Compliance, Financial Crimes, Bank Secrecy Act, Anti Money Laundering, Fraud, and Transaction Monitoring Software Implementations. Mr. Hettler is a proactive professional with extensive and diverse years of background experiences in impacting business performance through skilled configuration of resources with project objectives. Mr. Hettler brings more than 10 years of financial services industry experience and is highly adept at recognizing and reducing operational discrepancies/risks, as well as increasing revenues through improving existing systems and implementing customized solutions for all aspects of the financial banking industry.
Email: charlie.hettler@suntrust.com |
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Nancy Brassfield, CAMS, CFE, CFCI
Co-Communications Director
The Home Depot
Nancy Brassfield is a Senior Manager with Corporate Security at The Home Depot in Atlanta, GA. She began her career with Home Depot in 2002 as one of the first corporate investigators. Nancy was named the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Compliance Officer for the Home Depot during a pilot for Western Union products at the Home Depot. She developed the AML training for all associates, wrote the AML policies and procedures and was responsible for monitoring all transactions. Prior to joining the Home Depot she served 25 years with the Criminal Division of the Internal Revenue Service with many of those years assigned to the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF).
Email: Nancy_Brassfield@HomeDepot.com
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