BitPay Inc., the world's leading payment processor for bitcoin, announces it has hired Bitcoin core-developer Jeff Garzik.
Jeff has been working part-time on Bitcoin for the past three years, contributing to the core Bitcoin protocol, while he worked full-time for Red Hat in North Carolina. The job at BitPay will allow him to work full-time on Bitcoin, BitPay, and related open-source projects to benefit the Bitcoin community.
"BitPay recognizes the need for more resources and developments in the core Bitcoin protocol, especially in the areas of scalability and reliability," says Tony Gallippi, co-founder and CEO of BitPay. "We strongly encourage other Bitcoin companies to do the same, either through crowdfunding efforts or direct contracts, grants, or scholarships."
Jeff adds: "Bitcoin is growing up, no longer a hobby but now a professional payment network used worldwide. BitPay's contributions to the bitcoin open source software will benefit the entire community. After working on bitcoin open source software for years as a volunteer, I'm excited that BitPay is now sponsoring my work."
BitPay has also hired Bryan Krohn as Chief Financial Officer. Bryan has previously worked as VP of Finance and Director of Finance for several Atlanta-based companies in the IT and Healthcare spaces. Bryan's experience with international banking and treasury management will greatly help BitPay's service meet the needs of larger clients. Bryan will report to Tony Gallippi, CEO of BitPay.
Chaz Ferguson has also joined BitPay as a Software Engineer. He is a junior at West Georgia College majoring in Computer Science and has begun making improvements to the BitPay workflow to better handle edge conditions. Chaz will report to Kevin McInturff, VP of Product Management.
The addition of Jeff, Bryan and Chaz brings the total number of full-time employees at BitPay to ten.
BitPay is a Supporting Sponsor of Bitcoin 2013: The Future of Payments, taking place this weekend in San Jose, California. BitPay executives are also presenting at the conference on Overcoming Challenges to Accepting Bitcoins, Driving Business Adoption of Bitcoin, and Funded Entrepreneurs. Attendees of the Conference can meet the entire BitPay team.