PYMNTS.com asked industry expert and author of Paying with Plastic, David S. Evans to profile industry thought leaders and executives to find out what's next in the world of payments.

In this edition of the Captains of the Industry, David interviewed the Chairman and CEO of American Express, Ken Chenault. Since 2001, Ken has been the CEO of a company that has built a reputation and brand around the three pillars of security, service, and trust since 1850. From freight forwarding to traveler's checks, American Express has been shaping the payments industry.

In part two of our exclusive interview, Ken shares how American Express has weathered the financial crisis, and how recent government regulations have impacted the payments industry. (To read the transcript of this interview, click here.)

Click here to listen to Part One: American Express and Innovation - Past Present and Future

Part Two: How American Express Has Navigated the Financial Crisis and Government Regulation

Executive Bio: Kenneth I. Chenault, Ken has been Chief Executive Officer of American Express Company since January 2001 and its subsidiary, American Express Travel Related Services Company Inc. since February 1997. Mr. Chenault joined American Express in September 1981 and served as President of the U.S.A division of American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. since 1993. He served as President and Chief Operating Officer of American Express Co. from February 1997 to January 2001. He held several senior management positions at Bain & Co. He has been Chairman of American Express Company since April 2001 and American Express Travel Related Services Company Inc., (TRS), since April 2001.

Mr. Chenault is a Member of the board of directors of the New York University School of Medicine, the NYU Hospitals Center and the Partnership for New York City. He serves on the Dean's Advisory Board of Harvard Law School and is a Member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Mr. Chenault holds a JD from Harvard Law School and a BA in History from Bowdoin College.

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