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Payment Systems Expertise

We provide expert guidance on payment system rules, including ACH, checks, cards, wires and associated risk and fraud management.

Risk and Fraud Management

Our payments professionals help organizations implement effective risk management strategies and best practices to prevent fraud.

Industry Representation

We are your voice at a national level, working to influence new payment applications, policies and practices in the best interest of our members.

Map of states EPCOR serves
Who We Serve

We Are Dedicated to Our 1,700+ Member Organizations

EPCOR serves more than 1,700 member banks, credit unions, thrifts and affiliated organizations located in Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Mission

To provide payments expertise through education, advice and member representation.

Vision

The leading payments association where our members are well supported, our employees feel valued and innovation flourishes.

Culture

Through trust, respect, knowledge and collaboration, we strive for efficiency, innovation and a relentless focus on providing exceptional member service. 

We know we are in good hands when EPCOR completes our audits because we know they are very knowledgeable when it comes to rules and regulations. I really appreciate the way they conduct the audits and risk assessments, provide feedback and assist with any questions before, during and after the audits and assessments.

Ashley Bugbee
BTC Bank
Membership Benefits

We’re Here to Serve You

EPCOR is a robust and influential organization uniquely positioned to foster and promote improvement of the payment systems. Our staff of payments professionals, AAPs, NCPs and risk/fraud experts is available to support you in a variety of ways.

ACH Audits & Risk Assessments

Led by Accredited ACH Professionals with banking experience, you can count on thorough evaluations and effective risk mitigation.

Advisory Services

Whatever payments challenge you are facing, look to our experienced payments professionals for customized guidance.

In-Person & Online Educational Events

From our annual Payments University and seminars to convenient webinars and customized flex training, we offer a variety of payments education opportunities to fit your organization’s needs.
Nacha Direct Member

As a Direct Member of Nacha, EPCOR is a specially recognized and licensed provider of ACH education, publications and support.

Center for Payments

As a sponsor of the Center for Payments, we work to advance U.S. payments systems via market intelligence and thought leadership.

Faster Payments Council Founding Member

EPCOR, as a Founding Member, is a specially recognized supporter of the United States Faster Payments Council.

Meet EPCOR

Our Dedicated Staff

Brandie Thacker, AAP, CAE

Brandie Thacker, AAP, CAE

President & CEO
Chris Richardson, CPA

Chris Richardson, CPA

CFO & Managing Director, Advisory Services
James Carrick

James Carrick

Vice President, Education
Brian Dao, AAP

Brian Dao, AAP

Vice President, Growth & Industry Relations
Kristel Goins, AAP

Kristel Goins, AAP

Vice President, Brand & Member Experience
Fianna Aird

Fianna Aird

Instructional Designer
Melissa Asher, AAP, AFPP, APRP

Melissa Asher, AAP, AFPP, APRP

Manager, Member Support
Jess Bee, AAP

Jess Bee, AAP

Analyst, Payments, Risk & Compliance
Luke Benning, AAP

Luke Benning, AAP

Analyst, Payments, Risk & Compliance
Keldon Bowling

Keldon Bowling

Communications Manager
MacKenzie Bozarth

MacKenzie Bozarth

Executive Assistant
Myranda Brown, AAP, APRP

Myranda Brown, AAP, APRP

Analyst, Payments, Risk & Compliance
Marcy Cauthon, AAP, AFPP, APRP, NCP

Marcy Cauthon, AAP, AFPP, APRP, NCP

Director, On-Demand Education
Ryan Chilton

Ryan Chilton

Controller
Liz Cone, AAP, AFPP, APRP

Liz Cone, AAP, AFPP, APRP

Director, FI Payments, Risk & Compliance
Casey Demma, AAP, AFPP, APRP

Casey Demma, AAP, AFPP, APRP

Senior Analyst, Payments, Risk & Compliance
Amy Donaghue, AAP, APRP, NCP

Amy Donaghue, AAP, APRP, NCP

Director, Third Party, Risk and Compliance
Ashley Franks

Ashley Franks

Manager, Business Development
Karen Gingles

Karen Gingles

Director, Human Resources
Carly Gundaker

Carly Gundaker

Manager, Meetings and Events
Christine Higgins

Christine Higgins

Accounting Associate
Madison Howard, AAP

Madison Howard, AAP

Director, Marketing & Communications
Shirley James, AAP, CMP

Shirley James, AAP, CMP

Director, Conferences & Events
Deanna Jewell, AAP, APRP

Deanna Jewell, AAP, APRP

Senior Analyst, Payments, Risk & Compliance
James Kallergis, AAP, APRP

James Kallergis, AAP, APRP

Senior Analyst, Payments, Risk & Compliance
Drew Kimmel

Drew Kimmel

Creative Manager
Jennifer Kline, AAP, AFPP, APRP, NCP

Jennifer Kline, AAP, AFPP, APRP, NCP

Director, FI Payments, Risk & Compliance
Lisa Lihs, AAP

Lisa Lihs, AAP

Manager, Member Support
Stephanie Mareski, AAP, APRP

Stephanie Mareski, AAP, APRP

Director, Member Support
Emily Nelson, AAP, AFPP, APRP, NCP

Emily Nelson, AAP, AFPP, APRP, NCP

Manager, Payments Education
Shelly Sipple, AAP, AFPP, APRP, NCP

Shelly Sipple, AAP, AFPP, APRP, NCP

Director, Certifications & Continuing Education
Raven Smith, AAP, AFPP, APRP, NCP

Raven Smith, AAP, AFPP, APRP, NCP

Senior Analyst, Payments, Risk & Compliance
Matthew T. Wade, AAP, AFPP, APRP, CPA

Matthew T. Wade, AAP, AFPP, APRP, CPA

Payments, Risk & Compliance Advisor
Trevor Witchey, AAP, APRP, NCP

Trevor Witchey, AAP, APRP, NCP

Director, Payments Education
Kerri Woidke, AAP, AFPP, NCP

Kerri Woidke, AAP, AFPP, NCP

Manager, Member Support
Jared Wolfe

Jared Wolfe

Manager, Instructional Design
Trista Woolston, AAP, AFPP, APRP

Trista Woolston, AAP, AFPP, APRP

Program Manager
Matt Yates, AAP

Matt Yates, AAP

Advisory Services Coordinator

More About EPCOR

Employment Opportunities

If you want to help make a difference in the financial services industry and work with colleagues highly committed and passionate about what they do, you’ve come to the right place.

EPCOR Awards

Each year, EPCOR recognizes individuals and organizations for their outstanding leadership, innovation and excellence. All members are are eligible nominees.

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