William Gene Cole Email & Phone Number

Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida Area

Develop Compliance Management System (CMS); review, revise and edit policies and procedures.Maintain consumer Complaint Management System; investigate, respond to and track consumer complaints from the CFPB, OFR, state AGs, BBB and private attorneys.Perform periodic compliance audits and report results and remediation plans to senior management and Board members.Create training programs to improve employee understanding of applicable laws and regulations.Negotiate and prepare client and vendor contracts including service agreements, Business Associate Agreements (HIPAA), IT and security agreements and addenda.Oversee outside counsel and manage civil litigation.Maintain 50-state licensing and multi-state corporate registrations.Develop and implement Vendor Management System.Contribute to annual risk assessments.

Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida Area

Managed the legal-collections function; hiring, training and supervising paralegal staff.Litigated check collection cases in civil courts throughout the state, handling all aspects of the case from the demand letter to judgment and garnishment, and related appeals.Subject matter expert on negotiable instruments and UCC Articles 3 and 4.Defended the company in FDCPA/FCCPA and TCPA lawsuits in state, federal and bankruptcy courts.Audited policy and procedure manuals, training materials and collection letters for compliance and recommended changes as needed.Investigated consumer complaints and responded to inquiries from the CFPB, OFR, BBB, private attorneys and the media.Managed projects, such as RFPs to provide third-party services to utilities and courts, and negotiated related contracts.Reviewed various contracts and agreements including non-disclosure agreements, vendor contracts, lease agreements, terms and conditions, and financial service applications and agreements.Hired outside counsel and managed civil litigation.

Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida Area

Filed administrative complaints against regulated entities to enforce state financial regulations governing mortgage brokers/lenders, securities transactions and money transmitters.Litigated contested administrative actions before the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings.Filed complaints/petitions for the appointment of receivers in securities fraud cases.Litigated final order and subpoena enforcement cases in circuit court, and handled related appeals.Managed the litigation referral process; worked with examiners and investigators preparing subpoenas, taking witness testimony and reviewing documentary evidence.Participated in joint task force investigations with the Florida Office of the Attorney General and federal law enforcement agencies.Hired expert witnesses to render opinions in securities registration cases.

Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida Area

Practiced first-party property insurance defense.Conducted legal research and drafted legal memoranda and coverage opinion letters for large insurance companies.Drafted pleadings, motions and written discovery.

Tallahassee, Florida Area

Filed administrative complaints against regulated entities to enforce state financial regulations governing unclaimed property, funeral and cemetery services, consumer finance, retail installment sales and securities broker-dealer registration.Subject matter expert on interest and usury.Managed public records requests and defended the agency in public records litigation.Defended the agency in civil actions involving waiver of sovereign immunity.Conducted legal research and drafted informal legal opinion letters.Acted as hearing officer and drafted proposed final orders in license/registration denial cases.Responded to petitions for declaratory statement and handled related appeals.Drafted proposed legislation and administrative rules (some of which were enacted or adopted).Reviewed state procurement contracts to ensure compliance with agency standards.

Fort Bragg, North Carolina

Worked as a mechanic/paratrooper with the 21st Military Police Company (Airborne).Obtained Airborne Course Diploma.Attained rank of Specialist (E-4).Received Army Achievement Medal (oak leaf cluster), Good Conduct Medal and honorable discharge.

Juris Doctorate, Law

Activities and Societies: President, The Federalist Society, FSU College of Law Chapter.

Bachelor Of Science (Bs), Finance

Activities and Societies: Graduated Cum Laude, Golden Key National Honor Society, Phi Kappa Phi, Dean's List of Scholars and Superior.