In early 2007, early independent pioneers of the prepaid debit card industry, instrumental in developing and managing many of today's leading prepaid solutions, strategically combined their respective knowledge, technologies and resources to form Prepaid Resources.
Executive Profile > Barry J. Kessler, CEO
Relationship Manager Profiles > Russell K. Schwartz, GM
Service Group Manager Profiles > Steve A. Williams, GM Steve Phelan, GM
BARRY J. KESSLER, Chief Executive Officer
Barry Kessler, an attorney and CPA, has applied his Fortune 100, Wall Street legal and Big 5 accounting firm experience to success as an executive, entrepreneur & product innovator in the prepaid debit market.
From 2003 to 2007, Barry developed and headed the general purpose, re-loadable group for TSYS Prepaid (TSYS) (formerly Clarity Payments Solutions). In this capacity, Barry devised and executed vertical strategy for re-loadable prepaid solutions, with particular emphasis on the underserved market. He provided expertise on product, component and distribution channel development; identified targeted program opportunities; and devised and launched client programs.
Prior to his Clarity/TSYS, Barry founded Benefits ExpressSM, an early innovator in developing, marketing and servicing retail-based checking and re-loadable bankcard products to underserved consumers.
Barry’s leadership carries a unique understanding and perspective of the prepaid industry having served in the varied capacities as processor, program manager and marketer.
Barry earned a Juris Doctor from Washington University and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Pennsylvania - Wharton School.
RUSSELL K. SCHWARTZ, General Manager, Strategic Relationships
Russell has over 20 years experience in the financial services industry, specializing in prepaid and credit card products (corporate, business and consumer). Russell has held positions at Capital One, HSBC and Chase in various product development and relationship management capacities. He has worked on programs for commercial cards, consumer credit, de-coupled debit and consumer prepaid cards.
Possessing a background in finance, card product management, card marketing, sales and strategic planning, Russell has advised clients on the complete spectrum of the product and customer life cycle. On the product side, these have included product conceptualization to launch and on the customer side, sales strategy development to account management and growth.
Russell has a Masters of Business Administration from New York University - Stern School of Business and a Bachelor's Degree in Economics from Hobart College.
STEVE A. WILLIAMS, General Manager, Creative & Technical Services
With
over 15 years of proven experience, Steve A. Williams has developed and managed
hundreds of creative design and technical projects for companies like
Morgan Stanley, Sony, Citigroup, Coca-Cola, Cingular, Abbott
Laboratories, Cisco Systems, MoneyGram, Starbucks, Dewalt, Mattel, and
Elvis Presley Enterprises to name a few.
Until 2007, Steve spent
three years as the Production Manager for TSYS Prepaid, heading up the
company's daily card production, card program design & development,
and materials management. Steve also managed the third-party vendor
relationships for production & fulfillment processes.
Prior to TSYS Prepaid, Steve served as Design and Content Manager, Database Developer and Senior Web Developer at the Investment Banking Division of Morgan
Stanley. Steve successfully developed the content and visual business
presentations for the division's multi-billion dollar portfolio, and
helped implement Morgan Stanley's OneLookTM web branding initiative.
Steve
has a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Information Systems with major
disciplines in Online Media and Web Development Technologies.
STEVE PHELAN, General Manager, Consumer Marketing
