ACAMS Today caught up with Geoff Fone, director of sales for an informative interview. Fone was born and raised in the UK. After studying International Business in London, Fone joined Reed Elsevier, a leading global publishing company as sales manager with global territorial responsibilities. During his 10 years at Reed Elsevier, Fone traveled to over 50 countries and immersed himself in a wide variety of cultural business experiences. Fone relocated to the United States of America in 2000, were he helped expand another large European based Publisher SanomaWSOY into the U.S. market which provides global market intelligence to Fortune 500 companies. In 2005, Fone joined ACAMS as the vice president of business development and after consulting on a number of startup company ventures; he returned to ACAMS in 2008 as director of sales and is currently studying for his CAMS credential.
ACAMS Today: What positive changes have you seen at ACAMS over the last five years?
Geoff Fone: The growth of ACAMS as a global reaching organization is what stands out to me during my time with the organization. We have become a solid partner to many regions of the world, gaining the trust and respect of a truly international audience.
AT: You mentioned that you are currently studying for your CAMS designation, what benefits do compliance professionals receive by obtaining the CAMS credential?
GF: There are many benefits that a compliance professional earns through the CAMS designation, such as the ability to be able to meet and share experiences with your peers while expanding your professional network. Earning the prestigious CAMS credential really becomes a win-win situation. All of the benefits and additional knowledge that an individual acquires, not only greatly enhances their individual CV with a globally recognized professional credential, but the credential is also viewed in a positive way by their employer. The employer also benefits from having better trained staff that help in protecting both a financial institution's day-to-day operations and ultimately the institution's overall reputation.
For public sector officials who serve as regulators, examiners, law enforcement or in other such roles, the CAMS certification adds a critical additional layer of protection for jurisdictions and industry sectors that have been susceptible to money laundering and terrorist financing in the past.
AT: What is the best career advice you have received?
GF: It actually comes from Shakespeare's Hamlet, but was something my father instilled in me growing up, "To thine own self be true." It is something that sits comfortably with me in both my business and personal life.
AT: With 2012 quickly approaching, what will be your ACAMS resolution?
GF: To continue listening to our members without whom ACAMS would not be the forward thinking, interactive organization that we are today.
