Robert Owen Carr Receives Midwest Acquirers Association (MWAA) Life Achievement Award

CONTACTS: Mark Dunn, President MWAA (414) 831-3937 mdunn@newtekmerchantsolutions.com Julie Stuthridge 602) 284-2819 jstuthridge@worldnet.att.net

Chicago, Illinois (PRWEB) August 3, 2003 -- The Midwest Acquirers Association (MWAA) presents the 2003 Midwest Life Achievement Award to Robert (Bob) Owen Carr, Chairman and CEO of Heartland Payment Systems, for his extensive contributions to the merchant bankcard acquiring and ISO industry. Mr. Carr has directed Heartlands growth from its first card transaction on July 15, 1997 with a business investment of $1 million. Today, Heartland has become one of the largest privately owned payment processors, servicing a portfolio in excess of $19 billion of annual volume. Heartland's growth is best exemplified by its being ranked number 57 on the 2002 Inc 500 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America.

"I feel very privileged to present this award to Bob," says Mark Dunn, President, MWAA and National Sales Manager, Newtek Merchant Solutions. Bob has had an enormous influence on the informational, educational and inspirational needs of this industry. On behalf of the MWAA, it is an honor to present this award to Bob in recognition of his contributions and leadership in the industry."

In addition to serving as CEO of Heartland Payment Systems, Mr. Carr was also instrumental in the formation of the leading trade association of the bankcard acquiring industry, Bankcard Services Association, later renamed Electronic Transactions Association. He served as the Association's Vice President for three years and as Chairman of the Committee on Ethics. Prior to that, Mr. Carr has served as Vice President and Director of Data Processing for the Bank of Illinois, as well as a mathematics and computer sciences instructor and Director of Data Processing for Parkland College where he was elected faculty president.

The MWAA First Annual Conference at the Allegro Hotel is comprised of a two-day meeting attended by more than 300 payment experts. Presentations by leaders in the industry include Gift Cards, Prepaid Cards, Check Conversion and Imaging, and Vision of Payments in 2004. Nominations will be accepted after the 2003 event for the MWAA 2004 award for the individual who best exemplifies the highest standards of achievement, professionalism and fair competition in merchant bankcard acquiring. Nominees will be approved by the MWAA board and announced at the 2004 conference.

About MWAA
Midwest Acquirers Association (MWAA) - A not-for-profit, no-membership, independent forum. Our Mission is to provide a regional opportunity for training, education and networking in the Midwest acquiring community. For more information about MWAA, please visit www.midwestacquirers.com.

About Heartland
Heartland Payment Systems, Inc. (HPS)- Your Hometown Payments Provider - is a full-service payment systems solution's provider, handling merchant card and payroll processing services for merchants of all types and sizes. Using a national sales force, HPS builds long-term business relationships in local sales territories providing merchants with enhanced technology tools that assist them in more effectively operating their businesses.

In 2002, Heartland Payment Systems was ranked #57 in Inc Magazine's 500 List as one of the fastest growing private companies in the U.S. For more information about HPS, please visit them online at www.heartlandpaymentsystems.com.

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