CHICAGO, July 31, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Midwest Acquirers Association (MWAA) today announced that Robert (Bob) Owen Carr, chairman and CEO of Heartland Payment Systems, has been chosen as the 2003 Midwest Life Achievement Award recipient for his extensive contributions to the merchant bankcard acquiring and Independent Sales Organization (ISO) industry. Mr. Carr has directed Heartland's growth from its first card transaction on July 15, 1997 with a business investment of $1 million, to one of the largest privately-owned payment processors, servicing a portfolio in excess of $16 billion in annual volume. The Company was ranked number 57 on the "2002 Inc. 500" list of the fastest-growing private companies in America.
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 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.
"I feel privileged to present this award to Bob," said Mark Dunn, president of the MWAA and national sales manager of Newtek Merchant Solutions. "He has had an enormous influence on the informational and educational needs of this industry, and it is an honor for the MWAA to present this award in recognition of his contributions and leadership."
About MWAA
Midwest Acquirers Association (MWAA) is 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.
The MWAA First Annual Conference at the Allegro Hotel is comprised of a two-day meeting attended by more than 300 payment experts. Leaders in the industry will be presenting information on such topics as 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 Heartland
Heartland Payment Systems, Inc. (HPS) is a full service payment systems solutions 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 "2002 Inc. 500" list as one of the fastest growing private companies in the U.S. For more information, please visit www.heartlandpaymentsystems.com.
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