Executive Leadership Team
Meet the Merchants Executive Leadership Team
Click on a name to learn more about each executive leadership team member:
Russell A. Johnson
President & Chief Executive Officer
James Collard
Vice President, Operations
Jim Collins
Vice President, Sales & Marketing
Mark Pribish
Vice President & ID Theft Practice Leader
Michael Mortensen
Vice President, Information Technology
Stephen Swope
Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
Russell A. Johnson
President & Chief Executive Officer
Russell A. Johnson, President & Chief Executive Officer of Merchants Information Solutions since 2004, has 20 plus years of experience within the financial services industry including past positions as a Senior Vice President with BofA and Wells Fargo.
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 from the University of Virginia. He has numerous business, educational, and professional affiliations and is a respected leader in the financial services industry. He has been a member and chairman of the Board of Directors for Consumer Credit Counseling Services and currently serves as a board member for the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation.
Hear Mr. Johnson's radio interviews by clicking the links below.
Back to top
James Collard
Vice President, 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.
Back to top
Jim Collins
Vice President, Sales & Marketing
Jim Collins has over 20 years of experience overseeing the Sales and Marketing functions for some of the largest pre-employment screening companies in the country. Most recently, Mr. Collins was President of HRPlus Screening Services, a division of AlliedBarton, and prior to that served as President of the Commercial Services Division of USIS. Before that, Mr. Collins was the Vice President of Sales & Marketing for ChoicePoint, Inc.
Back to top
Mark Pribish
Vice President & ID Theft Practice Leader
Mark Pribish has over 19 years of experience in working with financial institutions, associations and Fortune 1000 companies throughout the United States. His background includes the marketing and management of Identity Theft, Data Breach, Insurance, and Risk Management services. Prior to joining Merchants, Mr. Pribish was Senior Vice President for Aon Risk Services of Arizona, Inc., and National Sales Manager for AIG Life and AIG Environmental Banking Group.
Back to top
Michael Mortensen
Vice President, Information Technology
Michael Mortensen has over 20 years of experience in Information Technology, Accounting and Finance. Most recently Mr. Mortensen served as an Analyst with US Airways, supporting its merger with America West Airlines. Prior to that Mr. Mortensen was the Vice President of Information Technology at APPS Software, a boutique software consulting firm headquartered in Scottsdale, AZ and also served as Financial Analyst for NDC Health Information Systems.
Mr. Mortensen holds an MBA and a MS degree in Information Management as well as a BS in Accounting, all from Arizona State University.
Back to top
Stephen Swope
Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
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.
Back to top