Ray Villanueva: Field audit on two wheels

ACAMS Today interviewed Raymond (Ray) Villanueva, the director of investigations at Kaufman Rossin. A global anti-money laundering (AML) and investigative leader, he advises clients on matters related to money laundering, fraud, terrorist financing, sanctions and tariff evasion, internal investigations, know your customer (KYC), customer due diligence (CDD) and enhanced due diligence (EDD) remediation, to manage and mitigate risk. With over 30 years of experience, Villanueva is an industry leader in assisting financial institutions (FIs), fintechs, digital exchanges and money services businesses through AML and Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) as well as Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) consulting engagements, including conducting historical transaction look-backs, tailored and targeted training, risk assessments, KYC/CDD/EDD reviews and high-risk (legal and regulatory) investigative inquiries. Since joining Kaufman Rossin in 2022, Villanueva has advised a wide range of FIs from small, privately owned banks to large, multinational institutions in the U.S., Central America, South America and the Caribbean. 

Before joining Kaufman Rossin, Villanueva was a U.S. senior executive service member, serving as the special agent in charge for the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Washington, D.C., where he led a team of over 500 investigators. He was also the director of HSI’s Office of International Operations, responsible for the agency’s investigative and diplomatic global efforts in over 53 countries worldwide. Villanueva was also a member of the U.S. Delegation to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). He has been quoted in financial news, professional publications, books and financial typology reports, including some adopted by FATF. Villanueva has also provided several congressional testimonies on issues of national and international relevance.

Blue Ridge Parkway

US 1 to Blacksburg

North Carolina

Savannah, Georgia

A1A Florida

Ray Villanueva at the ACAMS Assembly Hollywood with fellow AFC professionals

ACAMS Today (AT): What inspired the idea of turning the ACAMS trip into a “field audit” on two wheels?

Raymond Villanueva (RV): It started with the realization that the AML/BSA framework is really a philosophy for how we navigate life. On Day One, leaving northern Virginia for the Blue Ridge Parkway, my "field audit" kicked off with a personal version of KYC: Know Your Child. Before I could focus on the "risk" of the road, I had to focus on the "compliance" of my own home, specifically a quick visit to Blacksburg, Virginia, to enjoy lunch with my daughter and showing her that fatherly "due diligence" before heading out. It was a reminder that the same discipline and care we apply to our professional roles, understanding who we are dealing with and what their needs are, starts at home. Turning the trip into an audit was my way of showing that the principles of due diligence and observation are tools we use to protect what matters most, whether it's the financial system or our own families.

AT: What was the planned route from northern Virginia to Hollywood, Florida?

RV: The "audit" began with a high-altitude inspection of the Blue Ridge Parkway, which offered some of the most beautiful mountain views you can find in the East. From there, I descended into Charlotte, North Carolina, before picking up the historic U.S. 17 down to Savannah, Georgia. For the final legs, I transitioned to the iconic A1A, riding through Melbourne and eventually following the coast all the way into Hollywood. 

AT: Were there any planned stops or meetups you had along the way for others who joined a segment?

RV: Absolutely. I opened the invitation on LinkedIn for any fellow AML professionals with a bike and an "itch for adventure" to sync up for a leg of the trip. It was less about "EDD" and more about the shared sense of freedom that comes with the ride. I was subsequently joined by my good friend and colleague Ada Cohen. At the Assembly, I enjoyed some of the best networking I’ve ever had; I was able to discuss AML and the trip to the Assembly.

AT: How do you think initiatives like this help the AML community feel less transactional and more human?

RV: When you’re on two wheels, you see the incredible diversity of our country, from the quiet, historic southern towns to the bustling coastal routes. This trip reminded me that the "data" we monitor represents real people and diverse communities. Sharing the journey’s highs and lows, like the shift from mountain chills to Florida warmth, humanizes our profession. It reminds us that we are all on a journey, and our job is to protect the integrity of that journey for everyone. 

AT: What surprised you most about your road trip to the Hollywood Assembly?

RV: I was struck by how much ground you can cover, both geographically and mentally, in just a few days. Seeing the transition from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Georgia and Florida coasts in such a short span was a powerful reminder of how quickly "risk landscapes" can change. But what really surprised me was the overwhelming support from the community; the "field audit" narrative really resonated with people who were looking for a fresh perspective on our work. 

AT: Did you see value in informal experiences like this for building stronger compliance networks?

RV: Definitely. Some of the most insightful "audit findings" come from the conversations you have at a rest stop or over a meal in a historic city and certainly at the Assembly. These informal experiences break down the silos we often work in. When you connect over a shared passion, whether it’s motorcycles or just a love for the road, you build a level of trust that you just can't get through an email chain. 

AT: How do events like the ACAMS Assemblies benefit from participants showing up with this kind of energy and creativity?

RV: Creativity is a critical tool in the fight against financial crime. Bad actors are constantly innovating, so we have to bring that same energy and curiosity to our defense strategies. When we show up to the Assembly with a "road trip" mindset, we’re more open to new ideas, and more collaborative and more ready to tackle the complex challenges discussed in Hollywood. 

AT: If compliance were a road trip, what would you say is the most important “rule of the road”?

RV: Keep “two wheels down” and your eyes on the horizon but stay present in the lane. In compliance, it’s easy to get lost in the rearview mirror of past data or the distant goals of the future. But the most important "rule" is to stay alert to the conditions right in front of you, the immediate risks and the human stories behind the transactions. And, of course, always ride with absolute integrity. 

Interviewed by: Karla Monterrosa-Yancey, CAMS, editor-in-chief, ACAMS, editor@acams.org