Co-founder, Advisor, and Contributor to Fintech startup companies. Specializing in real time payments & open banking.> A.I Blockchain> PRM Payments> PayFi> OV Loop> Timeis> ActiveWorx> Trice Technologies

ActiveWorx is a leading provider of Intelligent Financial Transaction Management and Business Process Automation. Offering AI-powered software which connects legacy systems to the modern world of AP processing, payments, and vendor management.Our robust platform, ActiveWorx, has successfully transformed business operations for leading clients within banking, insurance, retail, manufacturing, distribution, and logistics sectors. among others.

PayFi has joined OV Loop to offer connected commerce messaging products which provide a faster, safer, easier way for businesses to interact with their customers. OV Loop's 3-in-1 Concierge platform enables businesses to engage their customers using an omni-channel secured UX, process payments embedded within the customer experience, and provide integrated voice activated support. Concierge increases customer satisfaction and conversion rates, while decreasing call center and client support costs.

PayFi merged with OV Loop in September, 2020. PayFi is a real-time payment processor offering services to both banks and businesses. The PayFi platform enables an ecosystem for banks to underwrite and onboard businesses. Once approved, PayFi provides the ability for the business and bank to process, authorize, originate, and settle payments. PayFi added professional services with data analytical payment modeling to the PayFi product offering with the acquisition of PRM Payments Corporation in April 2019.Significant Achievements:• Initiated and managed the program to connect PayFi with The Clearing House RTP Network for real-time payment processing and go live with one of the first community banks to implement RTP in the U.S.• Worked with the bank to develop business requirements for: RTP Network messages such as Credit Transfer, the associated settlement reports, and risk control limits; real-time bill pay on MasterCard’s BPX (BillPay Exchange).• Analyzed PayFi capabilities and developed the product branding by grouping functions and services, which were used for go-to-market pricing plans and customer product offerings; created the 2 year and 5-year product roadmaps.• Developed go-to-market product content for PayFi products: Branch 99 for bank enablement; Junction for BSA/AML/KYC client onboarding, and RailStorm the API gateway (Developer Portal) for businesses.• Directed a diversified team of PayFi staff and outsourced partners to lead the effort of developing Junction for onboarding businesses through an underwriting process with the banks. • Implemented a Program Management Office (PMO) and agile SDLC (software development lifecycle) to manage the product development efforts, associated resources, and timelines.

Payment Relationship Management was acquired by PayFi in April, 2019. Payment Relationship Management is a Fintech organization supporting banks and payment companies as they navigate the new world of digital and real-time payments. PRM Analytics and Professional Services work together to provide insight and tangible actions derived from data analysis combined with an in-depth knowledge of payments. PRM Analytics delivers a standardized view of payments that generates descriptive and predictive data suitable for both operational teams and executive leadership. PRM Professional Services provides initial diagnostic assessments of data and payment product maturity, gathers customer profiles and products, analyzes data to identify gaps in the product mix, and provides prescriptive recommendations to optimize your payments business. Significant Achievements:• Co-founder of ‘PRM Payments Corporation’: Lead the startup work to build out an online office environment, including design, and implementation of the company website and SharePoint team sites. • Directed activities of the (9) person startup team to launch the professional services and data analytics business. • Developed the business requirements and solution design while directing the development team in the creation of a data analytical model for evaluating payment types such as ACH, Check, Debit Card, Credit Card, Wires, and RTP.• Created payment strategies and actionable next step plans for businesses and banks using data analytical models and tools which provided descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, and prescriptive perspectives.

Promoted to Enterprise Strategy Executive: responsible for overseeing enterprise strategy activities; establishing objectives, plans, and budgets; working with corporate senior management for setting strategic direction, guidance, and enterprise policies. Accountable for financial P&L contribution; attainment of current and long-term objectives; product strategy alignment and capital investment; analyzing line of business product roadmaps and strategies. Performing due diligence on fintech solution providers for either integration into FIS or acquisition to enhance the FIS product portfolio. Evaluating emerging technologies to assess increased business value (i.e. blockchain, distributed ledger, artificial intelligence, and robotic process automation).Significant Achievements:• Developed the high-level business architecture for the ‘FIS One’ enterprise product strategy. ‘FIS One’ is a client-centered strategy for integration and modernization, driving alignment and unification though human-centered design; delivering a seamless client experience, support, and service across FIS.• Coordinated lines of business across the FIS enterprise to achieve solution assurance of the ‘FIS One’ strategy being used to develop a unified banking platform within the community and mid-tier marketplace.• Collaborated with marketing to synchronize product owners and their respective strategies and roadmaps into a broader enterprise view, rendered into customer journeys to illustrate business value and the user experience.• Supervised the financial capital planning process. Enhanced the investment portfolio decision framework to provide objective recommendations for allocating capital funding and ensure maximum business growth and ROI.• Directed blockchain/distributed ledger use case analysis for the Banking & Payments division. Worked with the lines of business and CTO/CIO team to analyze use cases (i.e. digital identity, cross border and real-time payments).

Promoted with the additional responsibility of General Manager for the PayNet business unit. Products included: PayNet Real-Time Network and PayNet global payments for cross border international remittances. PayNet enables instant authorization of payment transactions, simplifies payments within e-commerce, P2P, bill pay, mobile, and emerging digital payments, supporting FIS' innovation strategy to remain at the forefront of real-time global money movement and emerging payments. Accountable for the department P&L and go to market launch; product strategy, road map planning, sales, business development, business analysis, client services, risk & compliance, project management, data analytics, and operations.Significant Achievements:• Directed the PayNet team during the software development life cycle of the PayNet global payment application. Included integration into FIS products: eBanking (CeB), OFAC Watchlist, EFT debit authorization, HORIZON core banking and teller applications, and multifactor authentication; development of the user interface and APIs.• Implemented the initial customer on the PayNet global pay product which included an international bank and interoperability with their SWIFT network interface, eBanking, OFAC, core banking, and EFT debit platforms.• Worked with the FIS Treasury department to obtain approval for additional use cases of real-time payments.• Transitioned the PayNet product from the FIS Enterprise Product Office to the Global Retail Payments division.

Led the technology initiative for the PayNet Real-Time Payments Network and PayNet global pay international remittance applications. Responsible for directing both onshore and offshore teams to support solution design, architecture, systems analysis, software development, quality assurance, infrastructure, technical sales, and customer implementation support. Collaborated with payment originators and receivers: mobile wallet, eBanking, bill pay, P2P, eCommerce, merchant services, core banking, and financial institutions to integrate their products into PayNet.Significant Achievements:• Coordinated FIS product groups to integrate PayNet into their applications and services: Certegy, PeoplePay, A2A-Transfers, mFoundry, Norcross & Milwaukee Debit, payment switches Connex & IST, core banking platforms: IBS, HORIZON, Systematics, Profile, BancPac, Bankway, MISER, BancLine, and 3rd party Hogan.• Supported filing U.S. patents for real-time transaction processing. Included technical documentation, drawings, and working with patent attorneys. Patent entitled: ‘Systems and methods for processing cardless transactions’.• Directed the technology team during the pivot to Clear2Pay Open Payment Framework software from an in-house developed java application; required re-tooling the development and QA teams on the C2P OPF software.• Created client facing publications for the new PayNet product (technical manuals & customer installation guides).• Worked with NYCE teams developing changes to the ISO8583 specifications for non-card real-time transactions.

Managed a team of (29) in-house, (31) outsourced and up to (17) contractors providing technology services across the CIT enterprise, ensuring a quality level of service was delivered to the numerous CIT business divisions and entire employee base. Directed both domestic and offshore teams to align infrastructure product enhancements, upgrades, and support, ensuring technology and business needs were achieved. Leadership responsibility for delivering technology services to support the server farms, internet infrastructure, end-point network connectivity, and the software environments that provide middleware, collaboration, document management, web hosting, messaging (email, faxing, mobility, vaulting), Citrix, business intelligence, data governance, and multiple database solutions for the organization. Significant Achievements:• Established a service delivery model which included cataloging all support tasks into a multi-tiered support level, converting to a ticket based request and incident system, while off-shoring strategic resource pools.• Key contributor to a major CIT tactical and strategic initiative that quickly brought technologies and processes into compliance with the bank holding company which included FFIEC regulatory oversight.• Project managed bank holding company initiative to develop/implement Key Risk Indicators & metrics reporting.• Directed several enterprise-wide end-of-life projects: Windows 2003, BizTalk 2006, SQL 2005, XenApp 6.5, Symantec Enterprise Vault, Lync Instant Messaging, Blackberry BES, Exchange 2010, and DataStage 8.5.• Developed and implemented key performance metrics and management reporting that illustrated service levels being provided by the various supported technologies.• Assumed interim responsibility for the Information Security Department, including identity management, access control, investigations, security monitoring, alerting, and policy development functions.

Recruited as Chief Information Officer (CIO) to direct a technology team of (75+) members providing services to the CIT Consumer Finance division, which included CIT Bank, Home Lending, and Student lending. Collaborated with Division Presidents to understand business strategies, goals, and challenges, while aligning technology solutions and resources. Led development of enhancements, maintenance, support, and ensured quality service on diverse technology environments. Managed staff across multiple CIT customer support sites in Livingston & Marlton NJ, Cincinnati OH, San Diego CA, Cleveland OH, Oklahoma City OK, Salt Lake City UT, and Bangalore India. Spearheaded all technology activities and locations for the independent Student Loan business unit, including the development, infrastructure, operations, and governance functions. Significant Achievements:• Project managed the successful development of a $10MM loan originations system.• Managed the team efforts during the conversion to a flexible, cost-effective, off-shore development model.• Directed the technology shutdown of Home Lending sales and originations functions which included closure of (25) remote sales offices. • Partnered with business leaders during the divestiture and sale of the Home Lending business which consisted of creating transition service agreements and supporting conversion activities to ensure a proper separation.• Provided leadership during shutdown of the Student Loan sales and originations functions which included decommissioning and collapsing a data center in San Diego, CA into existing centers in Ohio.• Collaborated with business leaders to re-align priorities and technical resources to support the servicing and collections function to maximize returns on loans.• Created financial models, with cost basis scenario planning to enable strategic decision making for the business.

Managed (12) different cost centers, a team of (120+) geographically dispersed technical professionals, and a total annual budget of over $45MM. Held organizational responsibility for software development, business analysis, systems programming, production support, 24X7 data center operations, telecommunications, facility services, problem and change management, workstation support, ATM terminal support, and business continuity planning. Ensured high levels of quality & availability for all NYCE mission critical and time sensitive online transaction switching, authorization, settlement, and telecommunications environments while developing new products and services aligned with business demands. Supported sales, marketing, and client service departments through presentations and group discussions during both individual client meetings & NYCE customer conferences. Reported directly to both NYCE President and parent company Metavante Chief Information Officer (CIO).Significant Achievements:• Created the service programs ‘Every Transaction Counts’ & ‘Quality is NYCE’, instilled into the staff that each transaction has an impact on real life people who count on NYCE services always being available.• Acted as Electronic Payments divisional CTO representing all corporate subsidiaries and departments to the parent company, Metavante.• Consolidated/integrated data centers acquired in Milwaukee, WI, Dearborn, MI, and Parsippany, NJ into the highly ranked, state-of-the-art Secaucus, NJ center. Managed construction and reorganized facilities to drive major data center expansion increasing floor space by 78%.• In-sourced data center Disaster Recovery which enhanced recovery point objectives and reduced cost by $2.5MM over 5 years.• Consistently achieved outstanding results for audits & PCI reviews, scored zero exceptions on SAS70 from 2005 to 2007, and received a superior two rating on FFIEC exams.

• Directed an operations staff of (90), supporting the technology infrastructure and associated services across (4) data center locations while managing (7) different cost centers with an annual budget over $35MM.• Converted Dearborn operations to lights out model; moved Midwest settlement processing to an in-house solution; eliminated the MagicLine Concurrent based system resulting in $992K in annual savings.• Implemented Business Continuity Planning for Office Recoveries, ensuring critical business functions could be recovered for all (4) NYCE locations at an offsite location.

• Responsible for NYCE data centers (Secaucus, NJ & Dearborn, MI) with a staff of (45). Managed all aspects of operations, hardware purchases, maintenance, facilities management, and associated vendor coordination.• Directed a major online transaction processing platform upgrade project that was completed on time & budget. Achieved $2MM in cost savings over 4 years and incurred only 60 minutes of downtime, a 75% decrease of targeted installation time which allowed for higher transaction approval rates and customer satisfaction.

• Led (4) teams responsible for the data center environment, with a (25) member Operations Department, including all 24X7 activities, facilities, and change/problem management.• Instituted quality initiatives that improved customer service response time to incidents, which resulted in more approved transactions and higher customer satisfaction, subsequently used by sales to drive new business.

• Established teams to support growing data center, responsible for maintaining/supporting processing systems (funds settlement, balance/account refresh, home banking, bill pay, and transaction authorization applications).• Improved availability of files and reports which enabled financial institutions to settle transactions more quickly.

• Key member of NYCE data center internalization and technology department startup team. Executed, monitored, and provided 24X7 production support which ensured successful completion of time-critical financial settlement processes and related file transmissions on the IBM OS/390 platform.

• Progressively promoted to positions increasing in responsibility and risk: Technical Support Leader, Senior Production Control Specialist, Senior Media Analyst, I/O Analyst, and Junior Computer Operator.• Held key technical support roles while implementing the MasterCard home banking and bill pay products.• Supported the data center relocation from New York City to Lake Success, NY.• Executed projects that included development of control processes to address poor service level performance related to output management and delivery. Achieved consistently superior service that exceeded client expectations.