From Door-to-Door to CEO, Mike Ponder Awarded Lifetime Achievement Award
Mike Ponder, President, CEO of Integrity Payment Systems has been awarded the Midwest Acquirers Association's 2007 Lifetime Achievement Award. Mr. Ponder began his career selling products door-to-door, and has since built two seperate billion-dollar-plus credit card processing companies.
Des Plaines, IL (PRWEB) August 3, 2007 -- Mr. J. Michael "Mike" Ponder, President/CEO of Integrity Payment Systems has been awarded the Midwest Acquirers Associations' 2007 Lifetime Achievement Award. In the association's own words, "The MWAA Lifetime Achievement Award honors the outstanding individual who has made significant contributions throughout a career of service to the merchant bankcard and electronic payments industry. This award is a unique tribute given only to the individual who is worthy of 'Hall of Fame' status."
Mike Ponder began his sales career selling vacuum cleaners door-to-door. In 1988 he discovered bankcard sales; i.e., signing up retail businesses to accept credit cards as one of their forms of payment. By 1991 Mike Ponder was VP Sales for Harbridge Merchant Services and in 1995 Mr. Ponder partnered with Frank Farrar, former governor of South Dakota, to develop First Savings Bank's Merchant Division. In a few short years the company was processing over a billion dollars in annual credit card volume.
Mike and Frank sold that company in February, 2000 then began all over again in October 2002, opening the doors of Integrity Payment Systems. Mr. Ponder, along with his wife Carolyn who served as Chief Operating Officer for both companies, has again built a billion-dollar-plus processing company. Says Mr. Ponder, "Almost as soon as I got out of the industry I realized I wanted back in -- as soon as I could -- so we started Integrity. The best part of this industry is the chance it gives me to work with great people." Because Mike started on the street selling door-to-door, he understands what it takes to be successful in that sales job. "The sales people are our number one customer, and everyone in this company knows it."
By selecting Mike Ponder as the 2007 recipient of their Lifetime Achievement Award, the Midwest Acquirers Association has recognized what has set Mr. Ponder apart -- not just his success, but his commitment to integrity and his high standards.
About Integrity Payment Systems
Located just outside O'Hare airport in Des Plaines, IL, Integrity Payment Systems (IPS) has grown to be a multi-billion dollar credit card processor in only five years. IPS is unique in that unlike most "processors", the majority of who are really brokers or sales offices, IPS performs its business operations in-house in order to maintain greater quality control. IPS may be contacted toll-free at 888-477-4500 with any questions; or visit their website at http://www.IntegrityPaymentSystems.com.
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