Staff
Denise Dunckel Morse is CEO of the American Association for Debt Resolution (AADR), the leading national association of debt resolution companies. Since 2011, the AADR and its member companies have worked on behalf of consumers struggling with the overwhelming burden of unsecured debt. The AADR educates consumers and policymakers about debt resolution and its benefits, holds debt resolution companies to the highest industry standards, as well as protects and expands access to accredited debt resolution services nationwide.
A financial services industry veteran, Ms. Dunckel Morse, has led public affairs and communications in the private sector at Visa and Invitation Homes and at trade associations such as the Beer Institute. Her work has covered technology-based data security, interchange, taxes, mortgage finance, and single-family rentals in federal and state legislatures. Her career spans government appointments, public affairs, corporate advocacy, issues management, and corporate communications.
Before her time in the private sector, Ms. Dunckel Morse held senior positions in the administration of President George W. Bush, including serving in the Office of Presidential Advance at The White House and as a Deputy Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. She also served as the head of communications and congressional affairs at the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), the regulatory Agency for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Denise is originally from Dallas, Texas, attended Baylor University, and holds a B.S. from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. She resides in New Orleans with her husband, Paul Morse.
Denise Dunckel Morse is CEO of the American Association for Debt Resolution (AADR), the leading national association of debt resolution companies. Since 2011, the AADR and its member companies have worked on behalf of consumers struggling with the overwhelming burden of unsecured debt. The AADR educates consumers and policymakers about debt resolution and its benefits, holds debt resolution companies to the highest industry standards, as well as protects and expands access to accredited debt resolution services nationwide.
A financial services industry veteran, Ms. Dunckel Morse, has led public affairs and communications in the private sector at Visa and Invitation Homes and at trade associations such as the Beer Institute. Her work has covered technology-based data security, interchange, taxes, mortgage finance, and single-family rentals in federal and state legislatures. Her career spans government appointments, public affairs, corporate advocacy, issues management, and corporate communications.
Before her time in the private sector, Ms. Dunckel Morse held senior positions in the administration of President George W. Bush, including serving in the Office of Presidential Advance at The White House and as a Deputy Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. She also served as the head of communications and congressional affairs at the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), the regulatory Agency for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Denise is originally from Dallas, Texas, attended Baylor University, and holds a B.S. from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. She resides in New Orleans with her husband, Paul Morse.
Jake Agron
Jake Agron is the Government Relations Manager, Western Region for the American Association for Debt Resolution.
With a decade and a half of legislative experience, Jake brings knowledge about both the legislative process and effective advocacy to AADR. Throughout his career, Jake held various roles permitting him to work with legislators, public officials, and advocacy groups to effectuate policy change. In his home state of Arizona, Jake served as Director of Research for the State Senate’s nonpartisan research department. In that role, Jake oversaw legislative committee staff and he simultaneously served as the Legislative Analyst for the Senate’s Judiciary Committee. Following his time at the Arizona Senate, Jake served as the Deputy General Counsel for Arizona Governor Doug Ducey. Most recently, Jake served as a divisional director of policy for a national nonprofit.
Jake received his BA in Political Science from Arizona State University and his JD from City University of New York Law School. In his free time, Jake enjoys staying active, traveling and spending time with family on the Oregon coast.
Jake Agron is the Government Relations Manager, Western Region for the American Association for Debt Resolution.
With a decade and a half of legislative experience, Jake brings knowledge about both the legislative process and effective advocacy to AADR. Throughout his career, Jake held various roles permitting him to work with legislators, public officials, and advocacy groups to effectuate policy change. In his home state of Arizona, Jake served as Director of Research for the State Senate’s nonpartisan research department. In that role, Jake oversaw legislative committee staff and he simultaneously served as the Legislative Analyst for the Senate’s Judiciary Committee. Following his time at the Arizona Senate, Jake served as the Deputy General Counsel for Arizona Governor Doug Ducey. Most recently, Jake served as a divisional director of policy for a national nonprofit.
Jake received his BA in Political Science from Arizona State University and his JD from City University of New York Law School. In his free time, Jake enjoys staying active, traveling and spending time with family on the Oregon coast.
Michael Komaschka
Michael R. Komaschka is the Government Relations Manager, Central Region for the American Association for Debt Resolution.
Over more than 20 years, Michael has held several diverse positions dealing with government and politics. He is an expert at developing and executing strategies that align organizational goals with advocacy plans, engage stakeholders, produce positive outcomes, and mitigate business risk. Michael has worked for nonprofits, small advocacy firms, in government, and at a Fortune 300 company for which he managed government relations across a nine-state region. Before coming to AADR, Michael owned his own public affairs firm where he managed a range of issues for clients across several states.
Michael earned his BA in political science and communications from Cleveland State University before completing his MA in applied politics from the University of Akron. He lives in Columbus, Ohio with his wife and two children.
Michael R. Komaschka is the Government Relations Manager, Central Region for the American Association for Debt Resolution.
Over more than 20 years, Michael has held several diverse positions dealing with government and politics. He is an expert at developing and executing strategies that align organizational goals with advocacy plans, engage stakeholders, produce positive outcomes, and mitigate business risk. Michael has worked for nonprofits, small advocacy firms, in government, and at a Fortune 300 company for which he managed government relations across a nine-state region. Before coming to AADR, Michael owned his own public affairs firm where he managed a range of issues for clients across several states.
Michael earned his BA in political science and communications from Cleveland State University before completing his MA in applied politics from the University of Akron. He lives in Columbus, Ohio with his wife and two children.
Karin Stragand is the Administrative Director and Director of Membership and Events for the American Association for Debt Resolution (AADR). Karin has led member services and event coordination for the AADR since 2012. In her role, she serves as a liaison between the executive board and members on a day-to-day basis and organizes AADR’s member conferences.
Before joining the AADR, Karin was a Senior Operations Manager for Century Support Services for eight years. She developed effective solutions internally and externally, coordinating action plans with key team members. Previously, Karin was a Project Manager at Fiserv, a financial services and technology solutions provider, for over 15 years, where she facilitated the successful transfer of financial product operating systems for banks during the merger and acquisition process.
Karin holds a B.A from the University of Pittsburgh. She resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her husband, Jay, and three daughters.
Karin Stragand is the Administrative Director and Director of Membership and Events for the American Association for Debt Resolution (AADR). Karin has led member services and event coordination for the AADR since 2012. In her role, she serves as a liaison between the executive board and members on a day-to-day basis and organizes AADR’s member conferences.
Before joining the AADR, Karin was a Senior Operations Manager for Century Support Services for eight years. She developed effective solutions internally and externally, coordinating action plans with key team members. Previously, Karin was a Project Manager at Fiserv, a financial services and technology solutions provider, for over 15 years, where she facilitated the successful transfer of financial product operating systems for banks during the merger and acquisition process.
Karin holds a B.A from the University of Pittsburgh. She resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her husband, Jay, and three daughters.
Stacey is the Head of Compliance for the American Association for Debt Resolution (AADR), the oldest and largest association representing America’s debt resolution companies and is the leading voice for the industry. AADR’s mission is to educate consumers and policymakers about debt resolution and its benefits, hold debt resolution companies to the highest industry standards, and protect and expand access to accredited debt resolution services nationwide. As head of compliance, Stacey leads the program that creates and oversees AADR standards and works with AADR member companies as they adhere to all federal and state laws. She makes sure that the standards are in the best interest of consumers and the industry and that best-in-class auditing practices for the industry are in place.
Stacey joined AADR after leading risk and compliance work at one of the nation’s top banks, Wells Fargo. As senior vice president at Wells Fargo, Stacey created and led the risk and compliance program for the Corporate Communications division. Prior to Wells Fargo, Stacey was a senior advisor at the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the federal regulator that oversees Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Home Loan Bank System. Additionally, Stacey served in the highest levels of government including as a director at The White House managing the Presidential travel program and in the West Wing in Oval Office Operations, as a deputy assistant secretary for International Trade at the U.S. Department of Commerce facilitating U.S. exports worldwide, and as a deputy associate administrator for the Office of Communication and Public Liaison at the U.S. Small Business Administration where she oversaw communications, external relations, intergovernmental affairs, and the advisory councils.
Stacey is the recipient of a Federal Housing Finance Agency Mission Critical Award and the Silver Medal Award for Leadership, a top award from the U.S. Department of Commerce, and she is a member and Young Leader of the American Council on Germany.
Stacey earned a Master of Arts from The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD, and a Bachelor of Science, graduating magna cum laude, from Emerson College in Boston, MA.
Stacey is the Head of Compliance for the American Association for Debt Resolution (AADR), the oldest and largest association representing America’s debt resolution companies and is the leading voice for the industry. AADR’s mission is to educate consumers and policymakers about debt resolution and its benefits, hold debt resolution companies to the highest industry standards, and protect and expand access to accredited debt resolution services nationwide. As head of compliance, Stacey leads the program that creates and oversees AADR standards and works with AADR member companies as they adhere to all federal and state laws. She makes sure that the standards are in the best interest of consumers and the industry and that best-in-class auditing practices for the industry are in place.
Stacey joined AADR after leading risk and compliance work at one of the nation’s top banks, Wells Fargo. As senior vice president at Wells Fargo, Stacey created and led the risk and compliance program for the Corporate Communications division. Prior to Wells Fargo, Stacey was a senior advisor at the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the federal regulator that oversees Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Home Loan Bank System. Additionally, Stacey served in the highest levels of government including as a director at The White House managing the Presidential travel program and in the West Wing in Oval Office Operations, as a deputy assistant secretary for International Trade at the U.S. Department of Commerce facilitating U.S. exports worldwide, and as a deputy associate administrator for the Office of Communication and Public Liaison at the U.S. Small Business Administration where she oversaw communications, external relations, intergovernmental affairs, and the advisory councils.
Stacey is the recipient of a Federal Housing Finance Agency Mission Critical Award and the Silver Medal Award for Leadership, a top award from the U.S. Department of Commerce, and she is a member and Young Leader of the American Council on Germany.
Stacey earned a Master of Arts from The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD, and a Bachelor of Science, graduating magna cum laude, from Emerson College in Boston, MA.