From Past Due to Protected: Legal and Practical Tools for Cooperative Collections

Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Time: 02:00 PM ET / 01:00 PM CT / 12:00 PM MT / 11:00 AM PT [Prevailing Time]
Presenters: Tony Todero, J.D., Shareholder, Winthrop & Weinstine, Lance Radziej, CPA/ABV, CGMA, Bongards Creameries
Moderator: Wayne Sine, CPA, MBA, Education Director, National Society of Accountants for Cooperatives
Learning Objectives:
• Identify and guard against risks
• Understand PACA and how it can help collections.
• Improve collections’ outcomes
Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge
Program Level: Basic
CPE Credit: 1 Credit Hour
Delivery Method: Group Internet-based
Prerequisite(s): No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.

Course Description

Join us for a look at practical and legal tools to reduce bad debt exposure, improve collections, and protect cooperative cash flow. Attendees will learn strategies for evaluating customer credit risk, monitoring receivables, strengthening contracts, and implementing effective collection processes. The session will explore statutory trust protections, including the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) and other industry-specific collection tools, while highlighting broader principles that can be applied across industries and jurisdictions. Participants will also gain insight into recognizing early warning signs of financial distress, protecting creditor rights, and taking proactive steps to improve recovery outcomes before collection issues escalate.

Presenter and Moderator Bios

Presenter: Tony Todero, J.D., Shareholder, Winthrop & Weinstine

Above all else, his aim is to be practical and will not make a mountain out of a molehill.  Tony works with clients to understand their goals, to resolve important issues or let unimportant issues slide, and identify practical solutions, weigh pros and cons, and try to achieve the optimal resolution.

Working with commercial lenders and borrowers is rewarding because financial transactions make the world go around. Commercial loans are the lenders’ business, and for borrowers, loans help businesses operate, build new facilities, acquire needed equipment, expand into new markets or business lines, and grow. The work is therefore vital for lenders, borrowers, and the economy.

Outside of work, Tony enjoys spending time with my spouse and our two daughters. He plays the snare drum with the Macalester College Pipe Band, so he’ll occasionally don a kilt, hang out with bagpipers and other drummers.

Presenter: Lance Radziej, CPA/ABV, CGMA, Bongards Creameries

Lance Radziej, CPA/ABV, CGMA, is the controller at Bongards Creameries where he is responsible for financial reporting, treasury and internal controls. Additionally, he is an adjunct professor, teaching courses in finance and accounting. Before his current roles, Lance worked in public accounting at a Big 4 firm and served as finance manager and treasurer for a publicly listed manufacturing company. He serves as a member of several non-profit and government boards, committees, and task forces, including a governor appointment to the Minnesota Board of Accountancy, where he serves as chair of the laws and rules committee. He has authored multiple articles in professional publications on the topics of budgeting and lean accounting and is a national CPE instructor where he speaks on business & industry topics. 

Moderator: Wayne Sine, CPA, MBA, Education Director, National Society of Accountants for Cooperatives

After retiring as Tax Director of a regional supply cooperative on the East Coast, Wayne Sine was asked to serve as Education Director for NSAC. As an active and long-term member of NSAC, Wayne previously served as Chair of NSAC’s Tax Committee, President of the Atlantic Chapter, and was a recipient of NSAC’s Silver Bowl Award. In addition to his work with NSAC, Wayne has also served on the Legal, Tax, and Accounting (LTA) Committee of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, Chaired the Tax Committees for both the Virginia Chamber of Commerce and the Virginia Manufacturers Association, served on the Tax Policy Committee of the Virginia Society of CPAs, and served as Region Vice President for Tax Executives Institute.

Cost
Free for NSAC Members / $65.00 for Non-Members

  Online Registration

Delivery System

  • All programs are delivered using the Zoom platform.
  • Confirmations will include log-in instructions.
  • Participants are able to participate using any device with an Internet connect (if the device does not have speakers, the participant can also dial-in) or they can participate with audio only by dialing in.
  • All registrants will receive a link to the CLN’s recording by email within 48 business hours of event’s conclusion.
  • There will be assistance available to help with technical and connectivity issues up to 10 minutes prior to the start of the presentation.

Registration

All registration is done on-line and each guest must provide their name and email address to participate. All NSAC members may register for free. Non-members may register for a nominal fee.

Refund Policy

NSAC will not issue refunds for CLNs. If a registrant is unable to participate in the CLN and provides notification to info@nsacoop.org 48 hours prior to the session, a credit will be provided for a future CLN. Alert the NSAC staff member monitoring the CLN if technical difficulties are encountered and technical support will be provided to eliminate problems with future CLNs.

Additional Information

Live participation is required for CPE credit and polling questions must be answered to document your active participation. All registrants will receive an email following the session with links to the slides and/or handouts, and a link to the CLN recording (unless otherwise stated). If you are unable to participate in the live session, you can still watch the recorded session, but you will not be eligible for CPE credits. Those eligible for credits will receive their certificate by email with 7 business days.

For more information regarding NSAC CLNs or administrative policies such as complaint and refund, contact the NSAC Headquarters, 7946 Clyo Road, Suite A, Centerville, OH 45459, 937-222-6707, or info@nsacoop.org.