Payments industry mourns loss of Bart Kohler, Congressman David Scott

Sadness and shock rippled through the payments community this week following the passing of Bart Kohler, a widely respected industry leader who had recently joined Impact PaySystem as chief revenue officer. News of his death came alongside the loss of longtime payments advocate and 12-term lawmaker Rep. David Scott, D-Ga., leaving the industry reflecting on the contributions of two influential figures.

A career defined by leadership and mentorship

Kohler’s death has drawn an outpouring of tributes from colleagues, friends and industry organizations who described him as a mentor, educator and steady presence in a rapidly evolving field. With more than two decades in the electronic payments industry, Kohler built a reputation for developing high-performing sales organizations, cultivating partner networks and supporting independent sales organizations across the country.

In March, Kohler was named chief revenue officer at Impact PaySystem, where he was tasked with leading revenue strategy and expanding the company’s national footprint. His appointment reflected a career defined not only by business growth, but also by a commitment to supporting agents, ISOs and newcomers to the industry.

“We’re so sad and in disbelief with the passing of our friend and Chief Revenue Officer Bart Kohler,” wrote Impact PaySsystem Chief Financial Officer Emily Karawadra in a social media post. “He leaves behind a legacy of his dedication to the payments industry. He made a huge impact on the industry and his willingness to mentor and educate.”

Dee Karawadra, CEO of Impact PaySystem, echoed those sentiments, emphasizing Kohler’s character and influence. “Bart wasn’t just someone in the industry to me, he was someone I respected, worked with and genuinely enjoyed being around,” she wrote. “What I’ll remember most is the way he carried himself, steady, engaged, and always present. He made an impression without needing the spotlight.”

ETA CPP advocate

Kohler was also deeply involved with the Electronic Transactions Association (ETA), particularly through the Certified Payments Professional (CPP) program. According to the ETA, he contributed across multiple committees, helped shape educational initiatives and served as an ambassador for the industry through events and mentorship.

“Bart was a tremendous advocate for ETA,” the association said in remarks. “He contributed meaningfully across multiple ETA committees over the years, offering steady leadership, thoughtful insight, and an unwavering commitment to advancing the payments profession.”

“Bart was a true leader and an inspiration. He will be profoundly missed by his colleagues, friends, and the broader ETA community,” added Jodie Kelley, CEO of the ETA.

Kohler’s colleagues frequently pointed to his willingness to share knowledge and help others succeed, qualities that defined his leadership style and left a lasting imprint on those who worked with him.

Allen Kopelman, CEO of Nationwide Payment Systems Inc., said, "Bart's passing really shocked me, as we just spoke a few days ago. I had many discussions with Bart about the ETA CPP program over the last couple of years. ... Bart has always been involved in the payment space at conventions and up for any kind of discussion!"

A parallel loss in public service

The payments industry is also mourning the loss of Rep. David Scott, who died at age 80. A longtime supporter of financial technology and electronic payments, Scott served as co-chair of the Congressional FinTech and Payments Caucus and played a key role in advancing policies that supported innovation and expanded access to secure transactions.

According to the ETA, Scott was a “steadfast champion of innovation” whose leadership helped strengthen the payments ecosystem and elevate Georgia’s status as a global hub for payments technology.

Scott’s decades-long career in public service included becoming the first Black chair of the House Agriculture Committee in 2020, underscoring his broad influence beyond the payments sector.

Both Kohler and Scott are remembered for their dedication to progress, their leadership and the impact they had on the industry and those around them.

Note: This is a developing story. Additional details about Bart Kohler’s life and information regarding any memorial arrangements will be shared as they become available.

Notice to readers: These are archived articles. Contact information, links and other details may be out of date. We regret any inconvenience.