The Director of Product Development is responsible for leading the organization in research for new products, product enhancements and product redesign. Evaluates the potential and practicality of products in development and relies on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish objectives.

Our Mission is to provide both a forum and regional opportunity for training, education, and networking in the local Midwest Acquiring community. The MWAA was founded on the belief that it is important to educate Payment Professionals, including Payfacs, ISOs, MSPs and Financial Institutions with the constantly changing information our industry dictates. We're a nonprofit, no-membership independent forum dedicated to you! We welcome your feedback and input.

Responsible for aligning all technology initiatives with the objectives of the business. Develop and implement innovative technology in the payment card industry, which supports the strategic initiatives of the business. Collaborate with Newtek’s Managed Technology Services division to ensure an extremely resilient security infrastructure as well as identify eCommerce opportunities. Ensure monthly metrics are met in accordance to corporate initiatives. Maintain regulatory compliance such as PCI and SOC/SSAE. Communicate the company’s technology strategy to partners, management, vendors, and employees. Act as a liaison for working with Development Firms, Vendors, and Development partners. Provide project management to timely implementation; driving the project to closure. Develop, refine and implement policies and procedures to optimize and streamline with deployment and product with continuous improvement in mind. Assist in the development of departmental budgets. Provide support to Agents, Business Service Specialists, As the Subject Matter Expert (SME), Liaison, and Technical Resource for all payment processing related questions in order to drive business forward. Explain Newtek’s services to prospects with the goal of using this information to sell to a new or existing customer, creating a partnership and serving the customer by introducing them to additional products and services that assist the business owner in increasing sales, reducing expenses and minimizing risk. Maintain professional and technical knowledge; review professional publications. Responds to eCommerce, gateway, integration, and additional product questions that have been escalated by other departments or divisions. Maintain effective relationships with vendors and partners. Analyze and understand the business as a whole in order to effectively identify and recommend changes with an understood impact.

Responsible for researching, monitoring, and orchestrating all aspects for The Secure Gateway "TSG", a payment gateway certified on First Data, Nashville. These activities include: making recommendations for the Gateway's Switch, application updates, and fielding both technical and sales inquiries. Maintaining the accuracy of documentation, data, quality assurance, as well as oversee security and compliance for NACHA audits and PCI-PA DSS regulations. Directly support clients, business development, and vendor relationships. Managing production controls and business strategy. Conduct planning and produce flow charts to support decisions by key Executives. Interact with Programmers, IT personnel, Developers, Web Designers, and Analysts to support payment and CRM technology integration via API, databases, and POS Developers.

Managed all aspects of the Deployment Department, Product Department, and supervised a staff of up to five specialists. This included inventory control, product research, customer service, training, documentation, and system implementation. Created an internal online intranet website called the "Helpsystem", automated Terminal file builds via an application called "EZ Pos/KD Hybrid". Integrated these systems with TSYS, Verifone Vericentre, Lipman Nurit TCC, Hypercom Termsuite, Dejavoo MMSx, and this tripled efficiency, reduced errors, and shortened response time.

The Chief Technology Officer (CTO) is responsible for providing technological counsel, facts, suggestions, and advice to Executive Management for pertinent business decisions; oversees the Implementation and Product Departments for Newtek Merchant Solutions; responsible for the System Development Lifecycle: integration, migration, or creation of new automation systems; and responds to all product suggestions, facts, solutions, and options. Managing, researching and monitoring all technology and social trends in the payments industry. Communicate the company’s technology strategy to partners, management, vendors, and employees. Maintain and manage current information about eCommerce/Point of Sale products, and compliance regulations. Act as a liaison for working with Development Firms, Vendors, and Development partners. Provide sales support to Agents and Business Service Specialists. Manage the Implementation and Product Departments. Provide leadership, guidance, and direction for the adoption and retirement of specific products for the ISO portfolio. Ensures proper compliance and vetting of products to confirm they comply with current PCI, PA-DSS, and CISP requirements.

Provided superior customer service and technical support in a call center environment. Worked directly with Front Ends: Banctec & Paymentech. Provided support for credit card terminals: Lipman Nurit, Verifone, and Hypercom. Supervised 2 subordinates.

Increased sales, bringing the store from rank #48, to #2 second place in profits for the region. Shrinkage decreased by 24% under my watch. I became familiar with how to prosper in the unforgiving Retail Industry. I trained, hired, and promoted quality employees to Keyholders and Assistant Managers while terminating poor performers. It was this job which solidified my interest in payment processing and eCommerce.

Specialized in helping clients sign up for Life, Health, Property & Casualty Insurance plans. Focused on Union member benefits. Also licensed in Series 7 and Series 63 for Stock, Bonds, and Mutual Funds retirement planning.

Setup and installed Security Cameras, PTZ remote control cameras, infrared, and Spectra fiber optic technologies. Installed magnetic door locks, proxy card readers, and programmed a Pelco camera Matrix server. Caught and Reported both internal and external theft, supervised a staff of 2 to 3 Surveillance Operators. Attained rank of Sergeant for Security Officer.