Leadership
Board Members
Co-founder, Chairman
Louis Hoch, CPP
Mr. Hoch has more than 30 years of management experience, of which 25 are at a senior executive level serving public companies. Mr. Hoch is an expert in payment processing and service bureau operations. Mr. Hoch is responsible for all operations and strategy for Usio, Inc. in his role as Chairman, President and CEO, and co-founder.
Mr. Hoch previously co-founded Billserv, Inc., the industry leader in Electronic Bill Presentment and Payment, where he was the company’s President and COO. Billserv reached a peak market cap of well over 500 million while on the NASDAQ National Market Exchange. Billserv is now owned by American Express.
Mr. Hoch has held various key management positions with U.S. Long Distance (NASDAQ:USLD), Billing Concepts (NASDAQ:BILL) and Andersen Consulting (NYSE:ACN). Mr. Hoch holds a BBA in computer information systems and a MBA in international business management with honors, both from Our Lady of the Lake University.
Mr. Hoch is a past director on the advisory board for Our Lady of the Lake University Business School. He is also a past executive lecturer in the school’s weekend MBA program. He is a past board member of San Antonio Children’s Museum.
Mr. Hoch holds inventor status on U.S. Patent 7,021,530 “System and method for managing and processing stored-value cards and bill payment therefrom”. He has other published patent pending applications which are all related to the payment processing industry.
He participates in many local charities, including the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, where he was the Chairman of the Light the Night campaign. He is also active with other organizations whose missions focus on the needs of children, like the Children’s Rehabilitation Institute - critusa.org.
Director
Blaise Bender
Mr. Bender currently serves as President and Managing Shareholder of Blaise C. Bender, P.C., a law firm that concentrates on business and non-profit development, mergers and acquisitions, contractual and transactional analysis, business and individual tax planning, representation on tax issues and controversies impacting individuals and businesses, corporate legal counsel assistance, real estate, strategic planning, health care analysis and estate and trust assessment.
Mr. Bender is also a board member of Credit Human, FCU and an adjunct faculty member at Trinity University where he teaches in their Masters of Accounting program. Mr. Bender is a member of the state bar of Texas and is a licensed CPA. Earlier in his career, Mr. Bender was a full-time college professor for over twenty years. He has also worked for public accounting firms, such as Arthur Anderson & Co., Deloitte Touche and Ernest and Young. He received his B.B.A in Accounting and a Masters of Science in Finance from Texas A&M University. Mr. Bender also received an MPA in Taxation from UTSA and a Juris Doctor in Law from St. Mary’s University.
Director
Ernesto Beyer
Ernesto Beyer has over 25 years of experience in international trade and is currently serving as Latin America Market Manager of Xcoal Energy & Resources, an American company that is the largest exporter of mineral coal from the United States. Mr. Beyer has developed and established commercial relationships with some of the largest steel producing companies and power utilities in Latin America, including government owned entities. Earlier in his career, Mr. Beyer held managerial and leadership positions as a Plant Manager at one of Trinity Industries, Inc. railcar manufacturing facilities in Mexico where he led operations from startup to full capacity production. Mr. Beyer received his MBA in International Business from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 1995. Mr. Beyer also received a B.S. in Electronics and Communications Engineering from Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education in Monterrey, Mexico in 1991.
Director
Michelle Miller
Michelle Miller has over 25+ years of experience specializing in private banking, lending and business development. For the past 13 years, Mrs. Miller has served as the Senior Vice President of Private Banking and other executive roles for Broadway Bank, the largest independent bank in San Antonio, Texas. Before Broadway, she was a Private Banker for JPMorgan. She has held various other roles, primarily in lending, with Sterling Bank and InterContinental National Bank.
Mrs. Miller received her BBA in Marketing from the University of Texas in 1993. She is active in her local community serving on the Boards of many non-profits and Councils, including the Municipal Golf Association of San Antonio, The Guide Dogs of Texas, United Way of San Antonio, Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, Boys and Girls Club of San Antonio and Family Violence Prevention Service/Battered Women’s Shelter.
Director
Bradley Rollins
Bradley Rollins is the President/CEO of Dahill Office Technology. Being passionate about excellent value services ensures a genuine need to always serve and exceed his customer’s expectations. After joining the Dahill group in the Fall of 2000, Bradley achieved nationwide recognition for exceptional results and corporate growth. Today, eight years later, the company opened 12 additional locations and experienced unprecedented growth year over year – all of which happened under less than ideal economic conditions. Dahill was awarded the Award for Outstanding Company Performance and Growth in 2016 as the first company in the parent group to achieve this status. Bradley himself received the Executive of the Year award both in 2014 and 2016. Being a board member and chair of various influential organizations such as the San Antonio Economic Development, United Way and North San Antonio Chamber, allowed for him to play an important role in the development and support of communities and advancement of organizations. Relaxing with his wife at home and spending time on the golf course, keeps an important work-life balance, allowing for an always energetic and dynamic leader that his employees look up to.
Co-founder
Chairman Emeritus, In Memory
Michael Long
Mr. Long had more than 40 years of senior executive management and systems development experience in several publicly traded companies, as well as operating his own systems consulting business. Before assuming the CEO position at Usio, Inc., Mr. Long was Vice President of Information Technology at Billing Concepts, at that time, the largest third-party billing clearinghouse for the telecommunications industry. Mr. Long's career experience also includes insurance industry business development for Accenture (Andersen Consulting). As a business owner/consultant, he conducted studies for several hardware and software companies, which resulted in strategic decisions that led to improved market share and high growth. Mr. Long also served as an outside director to FaceKey Corporation, a San Antonio based biometric security firm that focuses on developing leading-edge fingerprint and facial recognition systems for high security area needs.
Mr. Long passed away on September 7, 2022 and was honored posthumously as Chairman Emeritus.
Director Emeritus - In Memory
Miguel A. Chapa
Mr. Chapa joined the Usio Board in 2015 where his skills in business planning, financial analysis, strategic planning, management, negotiations, and leadership have contributed to the company’s success.
Mr. Chapa passed away unexpectedly on August 19, 2020 but will be forever be remembered as a valuable asset to the growth of Usio.
Executive Leadership
President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer
Louis Hoch, CPP
Mr. Hoch has more than 25 years of management experience 20 of which at a senior executive level of public companies. Mr. Hoch is an expert in payment processing and service bureau operations. In additions to his duties as the CEO of FiCentive, Mr. Hoch remains responsible for all operations and strategy for Payment Data Systems, Inc. in his role as Vice-Chairman, President and COO and co-founder. Mr. Hoch previously co-founded Billserv, Inc., the industry leader in Electronic Bill Presentment and Payment, where he was the company’s President and COO. Billserv reached a peak market cap of over 500 million while on NASDAQ national market exchange. Billserv is now owned by American Express. Mr. Hoch has held various key management positions with U.S. Long Distance (NASDAQ:USLD), Billing Concepts (NASDAQ:BILL) and Andersen Consulting (NYSE:ACN). Mr. Hoch holds a BBA in computer information systems and a MBA in international business management, both from Our Lady of the Lake University. Mr. Hoch is currently a director on the advisory board for Our Lady of the Lake University Business School. He is also a past executive lecturer in the school’s weekend MBA program. He is a past board member of San Antonio Children’s Museum. Mr. Hoch holds inventor status on U.S. Patent 7,021,530 “System and method for managing and processing stored-value cards and bill payment therefrom”. He has other published patent pending applications which are all related to the payment processing industry.
Executive Vice President, Payment Acceptance
Greg Carter
Mr. Carter has served in numerous senior management assignments within the telecommunications, billing and settlement, and retail industries. Notably, Greg was the Chief Executive Officer for BSG Clearing Solutions, with revenues in excess of $145 million dollars, and a publicly-held (London Stock Exchange: AIM and was previously traded on NASDAQ) settlement and clearing house. Other assignments include senior-level sales and marketing roles at MCI/Telecom*USA, US Long Distance, Qwest and nii Communications. Greg is a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps.
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Tom Jewell, CPA
Mr. Jewell has over 35 years of business leadership experience focused on management, auditing, accounting, internal controls and finance. He is founder and owner of LTJ Financial Consulting, a provider of CFO and controller advisory services for middle market companies in need of accounting process improvements and scale advantages. His clients have included start-up businesses seeking funding and companies in the retail, staffing, construction and software industries. Mr. Jewell has also counseled the FDIC on banking institution closures during the banking crisis. Prior to launching his consulting firm in 2009, Mr. Jewell served as CFO for a multi-state photography studio chain from 2007 to 2009. Prior to 2007, Mr. Jewell provided financial leadership to divisional units of RadioShack, Verizon and Kentucky Fried Chicken, and he began his career at Touche Ross (Deloitte) in 1978. Mr. Jewell is a Certified Public Accountant and is a member of the Dallas and Fort Worth chapters of Financial Executives International (FEI). Mr. Jewell is also a founding member of the Dallas Chapter of the CFO Leadership Council.
Senior Vice President, Card Issuing
Houston Frost
Prior to joining Usio in December 2014, Mr. Frost served as President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Akimbo Financial, Inc. since its inception in January 2010. Mr. Frost has more than five years of experience in the prepaid and payments industry and eight years of experience in financial services. Prior to Akimbo, Mr. Frost worked in New York as an Associate at JPMorgan Chase & Co. on the Fixed-Income Strategy team. Mr. Frost earned his Ph.D. in Chemical and Biological Engineering from Northwestern University in 2007 and a Bachelor's of Science in Chemical and Biological Engineering from the University of Colorado in 2003.
Senior Vice President, Output Solutions
Sy Green, MDP, MDC
Mr. Green began his career in the print and mail industry in 1986. During that time, he had gained experience in Printing, Data Management, Document Design, Process Integration, Mailing Services and Postal Regulations. He holds certifications from the US Postal Service as a Mailpiece Design Professional (MDP), and a Mailpiece Design Consultant (MDC). He has held positions as the Production Manager, Salesman, Account Rep and General Manager at Usio, formally IMS. Mr. Green is a member of the Postal Customer Consul (PCC) in the San Antonio, Austin and Houston chapters. He is also a member of the Mail Systems Management Association (MSMA), Houston Chapter.
Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer
Ken Keller
Mr. Keller, as the Chief Technology Officer, is responsible for setting the architectural and product strategies and plans for Usio’s merchant processing and bill payment businesses. He also will ensure that product development, integration, and process organizations align technology capabilities with product direction. Mr. Keller brings more than 20 years in the development and delivery of specialized high volume transaction based systems. Prior to joining Usio in 2003, he served in a variety of key leadership and executive technical roles at Billserv, Inc. Prior to Billserv, Inc., Mr. Keller consulted in the telecommunications industry with companies such as US Long Distance, LCI International, Qwest Communications and Broadwing specializing in enterprise wide database development and implementation. Mr. Keller holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Information Technology from the University of Texas – San Antonio.
Senior Vice President, Risk Management & Compliance
Wayne Gonzales - APP, CAMS, CFE, CFI, CCII
Mr. Gonzales is Usio’s AML Officer and is responsible for Nacha compliance, regulatory compliance, and prepaid card risk management. Previously, Wayne was a financial crimes analyst with USAA Federal Saving Bank and a Business Banker with Bank of America. He is an Accredited ACH Professional (AAP), Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Certified Forensic Interviewer (CFI), and Certified Cyber Intelligence Investigator (CCII).
Wayne holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas-San Antonio in Criminal Justice and a Master of Science degree from Sam Houston State University in Criminal Justice Leadership and Management.
Wayne serves on the Board of Directors for the Runners Rising Project and the UTSA Alumni Association. Birds Up!
Senior Vice President, Business Development
Larry Morrison, CPP
Mr. Morrison joined Usio in 2003 and is a 30-year veteran in all areas of sales and business development. Mr. Morrison began his career in the two-way communications industry where he accumulated 16 years of sales, product development, and management experience. Mr. Morrison spent his next 9 years as a Major Accounts Executive with a Tier 1 telecom provider consulting Fortune 500 companies with all of their voice and data requirements and strategies. As Senior Vice President of Business Development at Usio, Mr. Morrison is responsible for all sales efforts including business development, product development and agency program development.
Senior Vice President, Emerging Markets
Steve Peterson
With over twenty-five years of experience. Mr. Peterson is a proven business leader within the Payments and Prepaid market segments. With a long history of sales leadership and management responsibilities for companies like TSC Group, GreenDot, NetSpend, and FIS, Steve has extensive experience and a proven track record of driving successful growth within a variety of new channels at each of these entities.
Senior Vice President, Investor Relations
Paul Manley
Mr. Manley has over 25 years of experience in Institutional Equity Capital Markets and Investor Relations. Prior to joining Usio, Inc in August, 2022, he served as Vice President of Investor Relations for Wrap Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: WRAP). Prior to his tenure at Wrap, he held various roles at Ladenburg Thalmann, Northland Capital Markets, Stifel Nicolaus, and Dougherty & Co. Paul holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics from Gustavus Adolphus College.
Vice President, Technology
Matt Decker
Mr. Decker is responsible for resourcing, planning, and directing mobile and website development. He collaborates with the team to develop new ideas and translates them into actionable development tasks. With over 16 years experience in website development, he provides the perspective, expertise and innovative spirit needed to create the backbone of Usio. A technologist at heart, he’s excited by finding new ways to use technology to create the best user experience possible in a financial product.
When he’s not working, he can be found enjoying live music, traveling, gardening or hiking. He can cook a mean pot of gumbo and loves sharing with friends and family.
Vice President, Sales
Joe Huch, ETA, CPP
Mr. Huch brings more than 30 years of sales, marketing, and management experience to Usio. Prior to joining Usio Mr. Huch held positions with Ellucian, Oracle, PAYjr, Intervoice, Billserve.com and Nortel. Expert in developing win-win strategies, and designing complex interactive and payment solutions for financial, energy, travel, education, software developers and various other vertical markets. In the past Mr. Huch created sales and marketing strategies, and implemented sales processes for startup and established organizations. Mr. Huch attended Ranken Technical College in St. Louis, the University of Kansas, is an ETA Certified Payments Professional (CPP), and a 25 ton Licensed Coast Guard Captain. In his free time, Joe enjoys spending time with his family and friends, travel, the culinary arts, sailing, fishing, golf and is a proud parent and grandfather.
Vice President, Prepaid Sales & Business Development
Kyle Ruschman, CPP
Prior to joining Usio in 2018, Mr. Kyle Ruschman was a Strategic Sales Executive at Vantiv/Worldpay, Now FIS. Kyle’s professional credentials include over 20 years of business development and consultative sales experience, focusing mainly on the prepaid enterprise and card issuing lines of business. Kyle’s passion for the prepaid sector begin in 2009 when he joined UniRush LLC, co-founded by entrepreneur and philanthropist, Russell Simmons. UniRush’s mission was to provide instant access to a set of basic financial services for the millions of Americans who don’t have access to traditional banking relationships through the Prepaid Visa Rushcard®, one of the first general purpose reloadable prepaid cards in market. Vantiv/Worldpay, was acquired by FIS (NYSE: FIS) for $43bn in 2019 and UniRush was acquired by GreenDot Corporation (NYSE: GDOT) in 2017 for $167mn.
Kyle has a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, with a concentration in Marketing and an Associates in Biology from Thomas More University. Kyle resides in Ft. Thomas, KY with his wife, Cory, and their four kids, 2 dogs and guinea pig.