Kurt Strawhecker

TSG’s founder and namesake, Kurt Strawhecker cut his teeth in marketing in his first two careers, before joining First Data (now Fiserv) as its first “non IBM-type” management hire in the 1980s and created the division that introduced innovative advertising into credit card statements (thanks, Kurt). He helped take the company international in the 1990s with its expansion into the UK, and upon return to the US, was one of the individuals who assisted in forming the payment industries initial joint-venture “Alliances” and also managed the “Omaha Platform”.

Based on his experience at First Data, Kurt saw a need for specialized Merchant Acceptance payments consulting, and started the firm in 2001 and rebranded it as The Strawhecker Group in 2006 with a former client – Jamie Savant. His son Mike joined him at the company at that time as well.

Today, Kurt is primarily focused on client engagement, TSG team development and positively expanding the industry through “data-driven decision making” Kurt has been referred to as an industry Thought Leader. As early as 2014, he was an early proponent of the “Evolved Acquirer” concept and has coached countless Payments Industry clients in developing new, and more focused, approaches to business development based on industry verticals, partnering with software developers, and other forms of ‘specialization” of the industry as it continues to expand beyond its traditional focus.

Kurt’s mantra within TSG has always been, “Life doesn’t reward you for what you know, but for what you do”. A great lesson for life as well as TSG’s mission for its clients.

Born and raised in Omaha, he has called Los Angeles and London home over his varied and diverse business career. Strawhecker brings a strong Midwest work ethic to his company and his business philosophy is just as strong, being built on the belief that anything is possible if you work hard enough and have a plan, it will happen. Strawhecker is married with three grown children, one of which is Mike Strawhecker, who is the current TSG President.