YPP SPOTLIGHT – MAKING THE MOST OF THE PAYMENTS TECH RENAISSANCE

Technology moves fast, and ETA members have been at the forefront of integrating new and exciting innovations into payments products for merchants and consumers alike. For two ETA Young Payments Professional Scholars — Logan Frye, a Manager of Strategic Partnerships at CardFlight, and Jamie Pyron, a Product Developer at Payment Alliance International (PAI) — staying ahead of the curve is an absolute necessity.

After coming into the payments industry from a variety of backgrounds — Frye, a history major, Pyron, a criminal justice major — both have found a home in bringing high-tech products like mobile wallets, smart POS devices and cardless cash to the market.

“I didn’t know much about the payments industry before I joined CardFlight,” says Frye. “When I learned about the company and the team, and the positive impact we have on small businesses, I knew I wanted to be a part of it.” Frye, a University of Michigan alumnus, says his focus is to help CardFlight’s partners make the most of the company’s SwipeSimple mPOS, a smartphone-based EMV reader.

Pyron, a five-year veteran of the industry, says she is mostly focused on delivering growth through forward-thinking technology gained by partnering with third party developers: “My role within Payment Alliance International is to ensure we meet the needs of our market partners by providing solutions that are easy to implement, will increase customer traffic to our merchants and bring added revenue and value to their portfolio.”

Both have been following the development of mobile payments as an important trend to incorporate into the payments capabilities they are offering their partners.

“I’ve only seen an increase in demand for mobile payments solutions. More and more people are open to the fact that their smartphone can become a powerful and easy way to accept payments,” says Frye, “Gateway to entry is practically zero since everyone has a smartphone.”

Pyron says the numbers don’t lie. “By 2021, it is estimated that mobile point-of-sale revenue around the world will reach $50 billion…customers can check out virtually anywhere there is a mobile device present.”

But a key aspect of their roles as product managers and developers is to always be thinking of the next big thing.

“Cardless cash products at the ATM interest me,” says Pyron. “I am often referred to as the ‘cardless cash guru’ as I currently support PAI’s cardless cash initiatives. There are many, many types of products that are offered today for all consumer situations.”

Other smartphone-based payments technologies are of interest to Frye as well. “Peer-to-peer payments are definitely on my radar,” Frye says, “the ease of use and simplicity is great.”

Trends and products aside, being a young payments professional carries its own responsibilities to stay up-to-date and networked, the YPP scholars said. “I think I’ve subscribed to every payments publication that’s available,” says Frye, “there are just so many intricacies to payments that you really have to make it part of your day-to-day or else you’ll fall behind.”

Getting to know the veterans of the industry is important, says Pyron, and always keep an open mind. “I have learned in the payments industry that there will always be new innovative products that haven’t been introduced to you. Additionally, I have found over the last five years that if you stop to listen to people around you, the industry veterans appreciate you more and we as young professionals walk away with an incredible amount of knowledge.”

And building a network – through organizations like ETA – is critical too. “Many people in the industry have been here for decades and seem to know everyone,” says Frye, “ETA has done a great job of showcasing emerging payment professionals and introducing me to mentors and others, which has been helpful in my career development. I’m proud of the network I’ve built in a short time, but I am always looking to meet even more people in our industry.”

The 2017 ETA YPP Scholars — generously sponsored by Discover Global Network — represent the finest young minds across the payments technology ecosystem. Read more about the program here.