Electronic Transactions Association names interim chief

The Electronic Transactions Association has appointed one of its executives, Amy Zirkle, to serve as its interim CEO while it begins its search to replace Jason Oxman. Oxman moves to head the Information Technology Industry Council later this month after seven years as the association's chief executive.

Zirkle will assume the temporary post Feb. 22, while a committee built from the association's board of directors works with an executive search firm to find a permanent CEO, the Washington-based organization said Thursday.

Zirkle, currently vice president of industry affairs for the association, joined the nonprofit in 2014. She handles relations with other organizations and industry forums, including standards-setting bodies, and represents the ETA on the PCI Security Standards Council Board of Advisors.

Before joining the Electronic Transactions Association, Zirkle worked as a consultant for mobile payments initiatives in developing markets. Previously she served in various capacities at American Express and MCI Communications (now Verizon).

“ETA finds itself at an inflection point due to innovation, market consolidation, and the entrance of new players to the payments ecosystem," Zirkle said in a press release. "How we, as an association, respond to these changes, meet the needs of the industry, and define opportunities going forward will be key to our growth.”