Spence is a FinTech company that provides the most comprehensive suite of safe, compliant, and fully embedded payment capabilities to businesses and consumers.

In collaboration with the Board of Directors and family ownership, developed a strategic plan including budget, outside capital requirements, executive needs, competitive landscape, go-to market strategy, revenue model and new market opportunities for a build from scratch Banking as a Service (BaaS) platform.

Oversaw the strategic assessment of FIS lending assets across the enterprise, developed a plan on how to invest in owned assets and partner where gaps were identified. Executed partnerships for new “Modern Banking Platform” division.Engaged with the President of FIS's corporate VC arm (FIS Innovation Ventures, FIV) to assess current and new portfolio companies, develop an Entrepreneur In Residence program, and review its in house innovation lab resulting in multiple new initiatives across the enterprise.

Oversee product strategy and business development for two digital banking product lines. Engage with the C-suite to make decisions regarding marketing, product development and roadmap, business development and go-to-market strategy for digital lending solutions.Optimize all aspects of digital customer engagement and journey. Lead sales presentations and product demonstrations. Lead the efforts for partner relationship management and optimization with American Bankers Association, core platforms (including Finastra, FIS, Fiserv and JH), and data relationships such as PayNet, FICO, D&B, Credit Bureaus, and other data aggregators. Selected by C-level to play a strategic role in the growth of Fintech products and transition clients/accounts from Akouba to Velocity post acquisition.

Acquired by Velocity Solutions, an HIG Capital company.Accountable for direct oversight of a fast-growth Fintech startup that has quickly established itself as an industry leader. Manage innovation processes related to strategy, business growth, and new technology. Oversee product enhancement of a white label SaaS solution that allows banks to enhance loan processing. Lead go-to-market strategy by ensuring that products are scalable for use by all sizes of banks and credit unions. Identify new market spaces to drive revenue and growth at the enterprise level. Motivate employees at all levels to challenge status quo thinking and embrace break through innovation. Develop relationships and networks that generate long term value to all stakeholders. Review and approve responses to RFPs with 100+ questions. Manage all stages of the deal making through the life of the company.- Techstars Chicago 2015 & FIS Accelerator 2016- Developed metrics that enable data-driven decision making for short term tactics and long term growth. - Achieved reputation as an industry thought leader in four years, building relationships with large financial institutions, The American Bankers Association; regulatory bodies that include OCC, FDIC, and Federal Reserve; technology giants such as Finastra, FIS, Fiserv and Jack Henry.- Youngest company to receive a product endorsement from the American Bankers Association.- Raised millions in equity capital, leading presentations to venture capital firms, angel investors, family offices, and private equity firms. - Negotiated six and seven figure contracts that took several months and years to finalize.- Built an executive team and company culture based on collaboration, respect for all opinions, and accountability. Envisioned and communicated future opportunities in a way that empowers employees on all levels to risk failure.

Leveraged an entrepreneurial mindset to align operating expertise, professional networking and strategic sales and partnership efforts into an investment strategy that leveraged invested capital at 2-3x value deployed, leading to high-impact results and successful exits.

Operated a logistics company that shipped fuel on the Great Lakes. Built enterprise partnerships with ship owners who needed crews to operate their assets. - Generated $2.5 million in revenue during first 12 months.- Took advantage of a market downturn to purchase/lease distressed property (ships) and return them to revenue production and profitability. - Played the lead role in the strategic transition of the company.

Developed broad leadership skills based on building a team culture that empowered each individual with a sense of ownership and self-motivation while also following a chain of command. Honed skills in high-pressure environments, which translated to managing cross functional-teams and driving alignment between diverse stakeholders, critical for navigating diverse and complex relationships. Led by example in being accountable to each team member and our mission throughout multiple active-duty deployments. Honorable discharge.

Working on the trading floor, oversaw operations and logistics for the importation of crude oil into North, South and Central America. Reassigned to the Gulf of Mexico oil-spill cleanup, managing hundreds of people, dozens of vessels and millions in assets during the emergency situation.

Oversaw the operations and logistics for over 20 individual tug and barge units. He also served as an integral part of a BP operation and bid to build new U.S. flag vessels, supporting petroleum transportation on the Great Lakes.

Managed safe operations and vessel logistics aboard Jones Act tankers

Managed safe operations and vessel logistics aboard Jones Act tankers