A NEW DAY WITH Ryan Talesfore

– I am Ryan. I joined CellMark in 1999.  In my role, I focus on assessing credit risk and supporting business decisions. In simple terms, it’s about taking every request for a credit line, gathering information, analyzing it, and reporting it back to the team so they can decide how to move forward.

In reality, it’s not always that straightforward. A big part of my role is bridging the gap between our team and the customer. I spend a lot of time gathering information, and sometimes that’s easier said than done. Most companies don’t really want to share their financials, so you have to find ways to work with what’s available. You’re constantly deciding what information is reliable, what isn’t, and how strong it really is. 

At the same time, we’re not just there to say yes or no. If something doesn’t work, I look for solutions. That might mean working with banks, insurance companies, or adjusting the structure of a deal to make it feasible while keeping the risk at an acceptable level.  

My day usually starts with clearing my inbox. Because I work with global teams, I often come in to messages from Europe and Asia, and I try to respond before their workday ends. From there, it can go in many directions. I follow up with customers, review accounts, support traders, and resolve issues—whether that’s something with a payment, a bank, or a credit request. Some days are focused on regular routines like collecting on accounts or reporting. Other days are more about problem-solving, setting up new accounts, or working with customers to get the right documentation in place.

At the end of the day, my role is really about supporting everyone in the company. I answer questions, help resolve issues, and step in wherever needed to keep things moving.  A lot of the work happens before anyone else really sees it. There are days when it’s just the customer and me, working through issues and finding solutions. I can have 10, 20, sometimes even 50 conversations going, trying to move things forward before I bring it back to the team.   

I also spend time helping colleagues find the right people, fixing issues, and supporting new employees who are still finding their way. That’s not always part of the job description, but it helps everything run more smoothly.  

For me, “mission accomplished” is when a complex situation finally comes together. Setting up a new account is a good example. It can take time—working with customers to get documents, coordinating with insurance companies, finding different solutions, and sometimes going back and forth several times before something works. But when everything is in place, the deal goes through, and things start running smoothly—that’s when it feels like a real success. 

It’s even better when the customer pays on time, and everything continues without issues. That’s when you know you’ve done your job well. At the end of the day, I enjoy solving problems. I like to step in, figure things out, and help fix issues. It’s also important to me to be someone people can rely on, even if it’s outside my direct responsibilities. 

For me, it’s about helping others create deals, while making sure we’re protecting the company at the same time.