US Faster Payments Council appoints Kimberly Ford to executive director

The US Faster Payments Council (FPC) has announced that payments industry expert Kimberly Ford is joining the organisation as its first executive director. Most recently with First Data Corporation, Ford brings extensive industry knowledge to this position. Her first day was 24 June 2019.

Ford has substantial experience in the payments industry and has been actively engaged in faster payments efforts. Over her nearly 15-year tenure with First Data, most recently as senior vice president and head of global government affairs, Ford developed deep subject matter expertise on a broad range of payments issues and has routinely served as a featured speaker at client and industry conferences.

She has held a number of industry leadership positions, including serving as Chair, Legislative & Regulatory Council, Electronic Funds Transfer Association; Co-Chair, Government Relations Council, Electronic Transaction Association; Co-Founder, the Secure Payments Partnership; Past Chair, Board of Directors, National Card Coalition; Board Member, Innovative Payments Association; and Treasurer, First Data PAC. Prior to her time at First Data, Ford served as a regional director for U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (D-Fl.) She holds a B.S. in Journalism-Public Relations from the University of Florida in Gainesville, Fl.

Ford has a clear vision for the FPC and its role in facilitating faster payments by fostering industry dialogue and collaboration. In terms of strategic areas of focus, Ford plans to first target organisational needs by ensuring consistency during the transition and establishing a longer-term plan to involve the right parties in the right positions – both staff and volunteer. From there, Ford plans to turn focus to more external efforts, including increasing industry education opportunities, expanding membership across all segments, supporting effective and engaged work groups, and identifying opportunities for the FPC to offer industry guidance and best practices.