Company Leaders
, joined us in March 1997. From March 1997 until March 2009, Mr. Parks also served as chief executive officer of Alliance Data and from March 1997 until October 2006, as president of Alliance Data. Before joining us, Mr. Parks was president of First Data Resources, the credit card processing and billing division of First Data Corporation, from December 1993 to July 1994. Mr. Parks joined First Data Corporation in July 1976 where he gained increasing responsibility for sales, service, operations and profit and loss management during his 18 years of service. Mr. Parks holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas.
, joined us in May 1998. From May 2000 until March 2009, Mr. Heffernan served as an executive vice president and chief financial officer of Alliance Data and, prior to that, he was responsible for mergers and acquisitions for Alliance Data. Before joining us, he served as vice president, mergers and acquisitions, for First Data Corporation from October 1994 to May 1998. Prior to that, he served as vice president, mergers and acquisitions for Citicorp from July 1990 to October 1994, and prior to that he served in corporate finance at Credit Suisse First Boston from June 1986 until July 1990. Mr. Heffernan was a director and chair of the audit committee of VALOR Communications Group, Inc. from 2005 until its merger into Windstream Corporation in 2006. Mr. Heffernan holds a Bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan University and an MBA from Columbia Business School.
, joined our wholly-owned subsidiary, Epsilon, in June 1996. Mr. Kennedy has served as chief operating officer for Epsilon since October 2001 and, prior to becoming president of Epsilon in January 2009, he held various senior management and executive positions within Epsilon. Prior to that, Mr. Kennedy held management positions with Capstead Mortgage Corporation from June 1990 to August 1994. Mr. Kennedy holds a Bachelor’s degree from Wheaton College and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
, joined us in October 1999. Mr. Kubic assumed the role of interim chief financial officer in addition to his other responsibilities in March 2009. Before joining us, he served as vice president of finance for Kevco, Inc. from March 1999 to October 1999. Prior to that, he served as vice president and corporate controller for BancTec, Inc. from September 1993 to February 1998. Mr. Kubic holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts and is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Texas.
, joined our wholly-owned subsidiary, LoyaltyOne, Inc., in November 1992 and assumed his current position in 2006. Mr. Pearson has served as president for the AIR MILES® Reward Program since January 1999 and prior to becoming president, he held various senior management and executive positions within the AIR MILES Reward Program. Mr. Pearson held management positions with Alias Research Inc. from June 1991 until October 1992. Prior to that, he worked in brand marketing at Quaker Oats Company of Canada from July 1988 until June 1991. Mr. Pearson holds a BScH degree and an MBA from Queen’s University.
, joined us in May 1998. Before joining us, he served as a director and chief operating officer of Forman Mills, Inc. from November 1996 to February 1998. Prior to that, he served as executive vice president and chief financial officer of Charming Shoppes, Inc. from November 1981 to January 1996. Mr. Szeftel holds Bachelor’s and graduate degrees from the University of Cape Town and was certified as a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Pennsylvania and as a Chartered Accountant in South Africa.
, joined us in June 1999. Mr. Tucker was responsible for human resources from June 1999 until August 2005 and re-assumed responsibility for human resources, corporate marketing and communications during 2007. From June 1999 until September 2003, he also served as chief administrative officer and became president, Transaction Services in October 2003. Before joining us, he served as vice president of human resources for Northwest Airlines. Mr. Tucker joined First Data Corporation in March 1990 where he gained increasing responsibility for business unit and corporate human resources, operations and profit and loss management during his eight years of service. Mr. Tucker holds a Bachelor’s degree from Tennessee State University.
, joined us in September 2001. He is responsible for legal, internal audit, compliance and corporate administration. Before joining us, he served as a partner at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, where he practiced law since October 1990. Mr. Utay holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas and a J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law.