Staffing Changes And New Initiatives Announced At NACHA

NACHA, the Electronic Payments Association, announced Friday several staffing changes along with realignment of some responsibilities – efforts the overseer of the ACH network said would dovetail with new strategic directions.  

Those strategic directions involve reducing friction and boosting use of the ACH Network, with additional aims of diversifying the organization itself.

NACHA said that Janet Estep continues as its president and CEO, while Jane Larimer becomes chief operating officer in a new role effective Sept. 1. NACHA said that managing director of network development and strategic initiatives George Throckmorton will report to Estep. Throckmorton will work on initiatives, including API development, Elevation consultative services and corporate strategic relations.

Larimer also maintains her position as general counsel.

Larimer had previously served as executive vice president of ACH network services and general counsel. Her duties, according to NACHA, included responsibilities for all activities that support NACHA’s role as administrator of the ACH network and conducting legal oversight for the NACHA Operating Rules.

Reporting to Larimer will be other executives moving into new roles. Those named to new positions include Michael Herd, newly named as senior vice president, ACH network administration. That role marks a transition from senior managing director, ACH Network Rules. Herd, said NACHA, will oversee the rules and risk functions.

Also reporting to Larimer are three other executives named in the release. Jeanette Blanco joined as associate general counsel, and the others include senior vice president of association services Scott Lang and senior director and group manager of communications and marketing Victoria Day.

NACHA said its board of directors also approved new strategic direction statements for both NACHA and the ACH Network. Among them: ACH “enables end users to easily make payments through a high-quality, ubiquitous payment system that securely and efficiently moves money and information directly from one bank account to another.”  And in addition, “NACHA enables financial services industry stakeholders to shape and benefit from common rules sets and standards for ACH and other transaction types through its expertise in convening diverse parties in rulemaking, standards development, governance and education.”