Mr. Akeson will lead Sterling's ISO business development strategy, drive initiatives to build ISO programs and support, further enhance Sterling's unique technology for sale by ISOs, and help Sterling ISOs increase their market share through the sale of leading edge loyalty solutions.

"I'm proud to bring someone of Jeff's caliber on board," said Paul Hunter, President and CEO of Sterling Payment Technologies. "Jeff brings 14 years of bank card industry experience and formidable agent recruitment skills that will fuel Sterling's growth in 2013 and beyond."

Prior to joining Sterling, Mr. Akeson was VP of Third Party Sales with payment processor PowerPay for seven years, where he was responsible for recruiting and establishing sales procedures that supported the company's growth objectives. In that role, Mr. Akeson introduced new tools, processes and value-added products and services that resulted in a significant expansion of the company's sales portfolio.

Mr. Akeson's first major success in the payments industry came as a founding member of Cornerstone Payment Systems, where he was Director of Sales and Marketing until the company was sold to Sage Payment Systems five years later.

At Sterling, Mr. Akeson will develop a strategic plan to expand the company's ISO sales channel by building significant relationships with sales partners and helping their organizations and agents excel in the payment industry.

"My commitment is not only to help facilitate Sterling's growth but to take a personal interest in an ISO or agent's success," Mr. Akeson said. "If they're not successful, that means we're not successful. I'm proud to join Sterling and look forward to working with the Sterling team to help grow the ISO sales channel."