J Carlos Ruiz CEO/President
J. Carlos Ruiz founded First Payment International (FPi) in 2003 and currently assumes the role of President/Board of Directors Chairman FPi.
A results-oriented leader with a proven record of success in maximizing earnings by focusing on a company’s foundational strengths.
He is known by his customers, managers, staff and contemporaries as having uncompromising integrity, ingenuity, vision, and commitment, all topped off with a winning attitude.
Prior to founding FPi, Carlos worked for over 13 years at American Express in their Integrated Payment Systems (IPS) division, which was later spun-off to become First Data Corporation (FDC) MoneyGram. While working for FDC/MoneyGram, Carlos was responsible for the ongoing management of partner account relationships as well as the organization’s sales agents in his assigned territory.
During his tenure with FDC/MoneyGram, Carlos was part of the team which pioneered the system for wiring funds worldwide and domestic utility bill payments.
Rob Ayers – Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Rob Ayers Chief Operating Officer (COO) with FPi.
With over 35 years of unparalleled experience in the global financial services and payments industry, Rob has held prominent roles at industry-leading organizations, including Chartwell Compliance, World Remit, ChoiceMoney Transfer, Coinstar Money Transfer, and Travelex Money Transfer. His expertise spans business development, operational strategy, and innovative payment solutions, making him a driving force in the evolution of the industry.
In 1987, Rob demonstrated his visionary leadership by founding and developing the MoneyGram money transfer service as part of the American Express suite of offerings. Under his guidance, the business grew from inception to generating $200 million in annual revenue, a testament to his ability to build and scale transformative financial services.
As an integral part of FPi, Rob brings his unmatched expertise, strategic insights, and proven leadership to propel the company’s mission of delivering innovative, dependable, and secure payment solutions to its clients worldwide.
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Robert Morris, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) with FPi
Robert Morris is an accomplished engineering leader in driving innovation and operational excellence.
With expertise spanning IT, data management, data quality, data governance, fintech, and converged telecommunications, Robert has played pivotal roles in advancing FPi’s technological capabilities. Known for his strategic vision, agile methodology implementation, and ability to lead global teams, he has consistently delivered superior results in complex, high-stakes environments.
Prior to joining FPi, Robert served as a Senior Solutions Engineer and Professional Services leader, where he was instrumental in developing and deploying cutting-edge solutions for diverse industries. His commitment to excellence is further underscored by his Master’s in Engineering Management, which has equipped him with a unique blend of technical and leadership skills.
Recognized for his integrity, ingenuity, and forward-thinking approach, Robert continues to position FPi at the forefront of innovation in payment solutions and telecommunications.
Rehan Ahmed – Emerging and International Markets, Advisory Board Member with FPi
Rehan served as an International Manager for FDC/MoneyGram for much of his career, where he was responsible for developing, expanding, and promoting electronic funds transfer services worldwide. Recognized by his peers as an accomplished Business Development and Account Management professional, he spearheaded the promotion and development of financial products and services for both large and small business clients.
Rehan earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, Mathematics, and Geography from the University of Karachi, Pakistan, and later completed an additional Degree in Business Management and Accounting from the Barnes Business School.
Rehan is a key member of FPi, playing an integral role in the company’s success and growth.
ADVISORY
Wendy Ruiz is a major stakeholder in FPi and plays a key role in its development.
With over 20 years of experience in the financial and payments industry, Wendy has extensive expertise in policy structures, procedure implementation, and vendor management. Her no-nonsense, professional approach, combined with her deep industry knowledge, ensures FPi’s operations stay on track.
Wendy graduated from Metro State University in Denver, Colorado