“American Financial Solutions is the biggest credit counseling agency in the country,” said Cuba Craig, president and CEO. “We have agreements with over 70,000 creditors. They lower the interest rates for our clients. Clients then pay us one monthly payment that we allocate to their creditors.”

Peter Ku, chancellor of the Seattle Community College District, asked Craig to start up American Financial Solutions.

Her volunteer fundraising impressed him. Over the years, she had raised millions of dollars for community organizations in Seattle, including the Seattle Seahawks Children’s Foundation and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

Craig has no regrets. Her responsibilities include a $2 billion management of other people’s money. The agency pumps a $500,000 monthly payroll into Kitsap County, employing 75 people.

“I love the work,” she said. “I am doing the best thing that I could be doing in my life right now.”

Craig’s satisfaction comes not only from helping people get out of debt but in giving back to the community and providing good jobs. Creditors give back a percentage of revenue they recover to American Financial Solutions. After payroll and operating expenses, the agency donates to the community. In 2002, donations included $600,000 in scholarships, $10,000 to the Admiral Theatre, and sponsorship of 357 children in the Christmas Angel Program.

Craig’s greatest challenge has been to narrow down the applicants who apply for jobs.

“The workforce here is incredible,” she said. “In Jan., we hired 18 for financial counseling positions. About 250 people applied. Employees earn close to $40,000 after the first year.”

Besides good pay, Craig nurtures a happy workplace. Pets, children and babies are welcome.

Craig balances her career with her personal life.

“I think that anybody who is running an agency of this size, with $100,000 million in revenue, is accustomed to balancing their lives,” she said. “My life outside work is traveling, reading and being a grandma. I am very blessed.”.