Executive Leadership Team

Meet the MIS Executive Leadership Team

The executive leadership team of Merchants Information Solutions, Inc. collectively accounts for more than 200 years of business information expertise. With experience in specialty fields ranging from finance and collections to sales and marketing, our executives not only have the know-how, they also bring an unparalleled passion to the information needs of individuals and businesses.

Click on a name to learn more about each executive leadership team member:

Russell A. Johnson
President & CEO

James Collard
Vice President of Operations

Cedric Dave
Vice President of Human Resources

CT Henry
Vice President of Corporate Sales & Marketing

Kevin Sauer
Vice President, Chief Information Officer

Stephen Swope
Vice President, CFO & Treasurer

Russell A. Johnson

President & CEO

Russell Johnson brings nearly a quarter century of financial services experience to the table. Prior to joining Merchants, Mr. Johnson was Co-founder and COO of Outsource Financial Services. Before that, he held executive positions with Norwest Bank Arizona, First Interstate Bank, and Bank of America.

Mr. Johnson holds a BS degree in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse, and is an alumnus of the Graduate School of Bank Management at the University of Virginia. He has numerous business, educational, and professional affiliations and is a respected leader in the financial services industry.

James Collard

Vice President of Operations

Jim Collard has over 30 years of experience in operations, credit management and sales. Before joining Merchants, Mr. Collard served as General Manager for Babbitt Trading CO’s Tuba City Division and was Chief Financial Officer for White Eagle Building Materials. Recently, Mr. Collard held the position of President of the Credit and Financial Development Division of NACM and was Chairman for the Phoenix Area Credit Executives.

Cedric Dave

Vice President of Human Resources

Cedric Dave has more than 16+ years of experience in the human resources arena. Previously the Manager of Retail Marketing Human Resources for the retail business unit of ConocoPhillips Petroleum, Mr. Dave has also held management positions with American Express, Revlon International, Broadway Stores, and Hilton Hotels.

In addition to his work responsibilities, Mr. Dave also serves on the Greater Phoenix Urban League's Board of Directors and is a Human Resources Committee Volunteer with the local Habitat for Humanity. Mr. Dave is a member of the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM), the American Society of Training Development (ASTD), and the Professional Association for Compensation, Benefits and Total Reward (World-At-Work). He holds a degree in Social Psychology from Park University in Missouri, and a degree in Business Administration from the University of Maryland.

CT Henry

Vice President of Corporate Sales & Marketing

CT Henry has 40 years of banking, consumer credit, business-to-business sales, and general management experience. Formerly the Vice President of Sales for TransUnion LLC where he led a sales and operations team covering the Southwest United States. He also worked for Sears Roebuck & Company and Zale Diamond Corporation where he served as Credit Manager and Vice President of Credit.

Mr. Henry holds degrees from Emanuel College, Franklin Springs, Georgia and Methodist University in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He has served as President of the International Credit Association and as a previous Board Member for Consumer Credit Counseling Services.

Kevin Sauer

Vice President, Chief Information Officer

Kevin Sauer has over 20 years of experience in Information Technology, Quality Assurance and Engineering. Most recently Mr. Sauer served as Senior Director, Quality Assurance with Mobility Electronics, an $85 million (annual revenues) provider of product and solutions for the mobile electronic industry. Prior to that Mr. Sauer was the Corporate Vice President of Information Technology at Suntron Corporation, a $500 million (annual revenues) Electronics Manufacturing Service (EMS) provider. During his tenure at Suntron he led over 200 employees in different areas of the business, including Information Technology, Quality Assurance and other Operational support functions. Mr. Sauer has had global experience with responsibilities across the US, Asia, Mexico, and Europe.

Mr. Sauer holds a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington, has earned several professional Quality Certifications through the American Society for Quality (ASQ) and has authored many white papers on technology related topics.

Stephen Swope

Vice President, CFO & Treasurer

Stephen Swope has accumulated more than 20 years of experience in the finance and accounting arenas. Previously the CFO for Vital Processing Services in Tempe, he also held management positions with Wells Fargo and Bank of America.

Mr. Swope holds an MBA in Finance and a BS in Accounting from the University of Akron. A certified public accountant (CPA), he is an active member of the Arizona Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

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