First Data's Card Services Group Promotes 2 Execs in Merchant Unit

First Data Corp.'s Omaha-based card services group announced the promotions of two senior executives within its First Data Merchant Services unit.

Stephen J. Shaper, 59, has been promoted to president of sales and marketing for credit and debit card services and Telecheck Services merchant acceptance. Mr. Shaper had been serving as the executive vice president and chief operating officer of Telecheck, a First Data subsidiary based in Houston, where he will continue to operate.

Mr. Shaper joined First Data in November, when the company acquired Telecheck through a merger with First Financial Management Corp.

R. Dennis Wildsmith, an eight-year First Data employee, has been promoted to executive vice president of operations for the merchant services unit.

Mr. Wildsmith, 41, will oversee customer relations, contract negotiations, organizational development, and strategic planning. He had been senior vice president of Plasticard custom services within First Data Resources.

He will be based in Sunrise, Fla.

Both executives will report to Roger Peirce, group president of Electronic Funds Services, which oversees First Data Merchant Services.

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