Kenneth W. Biel

Chairman

Ken, a CPA with over 25 years in banking, had an idea to help alleviate the back office burdens associated to a business managing checks. With this idea iStream was born. Ken’s focus was to develop and lead iStream just as he had successfully for prior companies over the years.

Before iStream, Ken served as a Senior Executive for Fifth Third Payment Processing via Fifth Third’s acquisition of Universal Companies. He coordinated the sale of Universal to Fifth Third Bank in 2001. While at Universal Companies, Ken served as the CEO and was an original founder of the business. He led Universal to be an industry leader with strategic planning and development of the Universal processes and systems that lead to the strategic merge with Fifth Third.

Prior to Universal, Ken had extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions with a Chicago venture capital group. Additionally, he started the first micro-securitized small ticket leasing program.

Richard (Fred) Joachim

President

Fred joined iStream in 2004 with over 25 years in data processing knowledge related, but not limited to, building and leveraging distribution channels. Fred focuses on the synergy and partnerships developing win-win situations for organizations that look to partner back with iStream or each other. During a combined 8 years at Fifth Third Bank and Universal Payment Processing, Fred implemented and developed a diverse sales distribution strategy making Universal a powerhouse in sales and strategic partnerships. 

Prior to Universal, Fred was Senior Vice President at First Data Corporation (FDC). During his 10 years at FDC, Fred experienced both the issuing and acquiring side of credit card processing. He ran the data processing center in San Mateo, CA, as well as, managed sales and distribution channels. He worked with major clients such as First USA and Brooks Brothers. He successfully negotiated FDC's alliances with Wachovia and Bank of Boston. Fred also served in various senior-level management positions at ADP (Automated Data Processing), Inc. and Xerox.

James (Jim) A. Button

General Counsel

Jim joined iStream in 2007 bringing an extensive background in commercial law. Prior to starting at iStream, Jim founded his own firm practicing commercial law, as well as held various in-house corporate counsel positions with eFunds Corporation, Citibank, N.A. and IBM Corporation. In these positions, Jim developed an extensive working knowledge of the financial services, electronic payments and information technology industries and substantial experience in a wide variety of legal areas. 

Jim has also spent significant time in corporate positions providing management and employee training. He has presented at numerous bar association and other legal seminars on a variety of topics.

Michael Nell

VP Information Technology

Mike joined iStream in 2005 bringing over 20 years in electronic payments expanding from operations and processing to compliance and accounting dealing with EFT, ATM, Credit, Debit, Risk based systems and checks. In his three years with iStream, Mike has worked with the development team to build industrial, yet flexible systems and processes that will hold up in the industry. Mike's initiative to offer a more secure, reliable payment processing platform led to the completion of a SAS 70 Type II audit of the end-to-end controls around all elements of the RDC process, systems and infrastructure. Mike will continue to manage and own this annual audit.

Prior to iStream, Mike was Vice President of Product Development at eFunds and Deluxe Data Systems. Mike and his team in conjunction with Universal Payment Processing, a client at the time, helped build a back end platform. An acquisition and ten years later, that platform is still in use today with double the volume. Mike has also been SVP of Operations for a mortgage processor, as well as, an Independent System consultant for airlines systems on a Unisys based application.

Kathleen (Katie) Robinson

New Business Development

Katie joined iStream in 2005 with 14 years of experience in merchant payment processing, sales training for partners and merchant relationship management. Katie's organizational skills allow her to maximize the profitability of key business functions by streamlining processes, while creating efficiencies. Katie worked closely with the operations, risk, sales and IT departments to align strategic partnerships with organizations, develop all-in-one payment processing solutions, generate new lead sources, and provide one-on-one servicing back to sales organizations and customers.

Prior to iStream, Katie gained experience from sales training, operations, and relationship management at Universal Payment Processing, Inc., where she served as a Director of Relationship Management until 2001, when Universal was acquired by Fifth Third Bank. Katie served as Assistant Vice President of Relationship Management at Fifth Third until 2004, before becoming Principal of SolutionFinders, Inc, an independent sales office, offering merchant payment processing solutions.

Robin Ferrari

Marketing Director

Robin has been active in the financial services industry, focused on payment processing, for ten years working directly with small businesses to large corporations, financial institutions, independent sales organizations and other third party vendors. Prior to her position at iStream Financial Services, Robin supported marketing and business development of payment processing services, such as credit, debit, check conversion (POP and ARC), and gift card products with Fifth Third Bank’s Processing Solutions Division.

Robin joined iStream Financial Services in July 2004 and helped break new ground with the remote deposit capture industry from a business and financial institutions perspective. She consults, implements and helps strategize marketing, sales and development for multiple distribution channels regarding iStream Financial Services' products and banking solutions. Robin’s specialty involves creatively taking theory and turning it into practical marketing and promotional strategies specifically related to resources and capabilities of financial institutions, sales entities and vendors to increase growth.