Kelley Knutson has been promoted to senior executive vice president of Total System Services Inc. and president of Netspend, the company's prepaid debit card unit.
Knutson replaces Chuck Harris, who left payment processor and technology provider TSYS in December 2017 to accept a job at the University of Texas.
Knutson has been with Columbus, Ga.-based TSYS since 2003, serving as an executive vice president and president of International Issuer Solutions, operating out of London. Before joining TSYS, he was CEO of Clear Money Ltd., a provider of electronic bill management to U.K. billers and financial institutions.
"I am thrilled to join the talented Netspend team who serve the millions of Americans who choose prepaid as their financial tool," Knutson said in a Friday press release. "I'm impressed with Netspend's customer-first mentality and innovative approach to developing market leading solutions, and confident in the future growth opportunities as we continue to focus on the customers and businesses we serve."
Knutson has held a variety of other leadership roles in the global payments industry during his career, including at GE Capital and Visa Inc.
“Kelley’s vast experience in the financial industry and TSYS, made him the ideal candidate to lead our Netspend business," TSYS chairman, president and CEO M. Troy Woods said in the release. "He has been the driver of our international issuing business and continues to deliver financial targets year after year.”
