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TradeAssociationNews

Words of gratitude that when you don't have an interview but still put on
a suit and sit outside the interview room until someone
from Ken Musante speaks with you—that's tenacity.

Wells Fargo was a great place to start, but I sensed there
was more. ... In 1993, Ted Mason, CEO of Humboldt Bank,
hired me to start the bank's merchant services program.
For 10 years, I had the chance to work with exceptional
individuals who challenged me and made me better.
We took pride in what we built. I met Tim Miller, Chuck
Burtzeloff, Tim Jochner and Joe Kaplan in my early days.
Each of them was formative in my career.

It was during those days that I became friends with Deana
Rich and Susan Horne, as we each led sponsor bank pro-
grams. I value their friendship to this day.

en Musante received the Midwest Acquirers When the bank sold the merchant services division in
Association's Lifetime Achievement Award 2003, I had the opportunity to continue leading Humboldt
at the organization's annual meeting held Merchant Services, this time as a standalone company
K in Chicago on July 30 and 31, 2025. We are and as part of a bank holding company—thanks to the
pleased to publish the speech he gave when accepting the Lamb family, whom I met through Pacific Coast Banking
award. Here are Ken's words: School. To those who were with me during the Humboldt
years, I hope you learned as much from me as I did from
Ya'all like my sweater? When certain people see me in this you.
sweater, they know one of two things: I'm either a very
gifted knitter—or somebody loves me. My wife is with me For 15 years at Humboldt, I was often the youngest per-
today. She makes me better. She is my witness and I am son in the room. Times have changed, but I strive to con-
hers. If you see her at the bar, say something nice about tinually learn. Those years gave us a foundation to thrive
me. ... and she'll buy you a drink. in payments. Today, the Western States Acquirers Asso-
ciation is led by Humboldt alumni: Deborah Camm, the
When Rod called me that spring morning, I was with a outgoing president, and Scott Defazio, the incoming. Be-
long-time client, eMerchant. Rod and I speak from time fore them, Pat Ford and X. Ayala, also Humboldt Alums,
to time about various topics, and I assumed this call was served as President.
no different. I returned his call at the end of the day. I
was dumbstruck when he shared the reason for his call. I Hilda Tuel, Linda Straub, Jamie Savant, Scott Bartlett,
couldn't wipe the smile off my face. Steve Kimberling, Matt Dreise, X. Ayala, Scott DeFazio
and Deborah Camm all went on to found additional pay-
I am truly honored to be at this podium. The acknowl- ments companies. That is a legacy I'm proud to be a part
edgement of the people in this room humbles and inspires of. Amanda Beam went on to work at Humboldt longer
me. than I worked there.

If you are a past MWAA award recipient, thank you for In 2008, our owner bank failed—SVB, I see you. We navi-
being here. I reached out to each of you because you em- gated through and were acquired by Moneris. Watching
body the reason this award holds such honor. Your accom- the company I helped build become part of something
plishments give this award meaning and context. To the new was difficult. But I worked for Greg Cohen and did
Board of the MWAA, I am humbled, and I will carry this my best to integrate Humboldt into Moneris. We even-
honor with me for as long as memory serves. Past award tually sold the name and part of the business to Marc
winners, including those here today— Fadi Cheikha, Jim Gardener, and I'm pleased that the Humboldt name lives
Oberman, Bob Jenisch, Mark Dunn, Juan Ortiz, O.B. Raw- on. One of my close friends, Joe Garza, came into my life
ls and Deana Rich—and I appreciate you. through Moneris.

As for what brought me here, nothing I've accomplished In 2010, the weekend before I left Moneris, I told my then
has been done in isolation. I've been in payments for over 12-year-old daughter of my plans to join longtime friends
three and a half decades. Like many of you, I started at the Steve Kimberling and Scott Bartlett and start Eureka Pay-
ground level. My first job after college was at Wells Far- ments. She looked me dead in the eye and said with only
go's issuing center in Concord, California. The recruiter the total honesty of a 12 year old, "Daddy, what's your
hired me because they said I was "tenacious." At the time, back-up plan?" It was only then that I realized I played a
I didn't even know what the word meant. I later learned part in her upbringing.

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