Aqua brings dreams to life

Kurt joined Aqua Finance as CEO in February 2023. With more than 30 years of experience in financial services domestically and internationally, Kurt looks forward to leveraging his experience and expertise to continue building Aqua’s reputation as a leading finance provider.

Before joining Aqua, Kurt held a number of executive roles including CEO of Global Holdings LLC, COO of Synchrony, President and CEO of GE Money Bank, and CEO of GE Capital Bank in Austria.

Recognized for his expertise in leading operational transformations, improving efficiencies, reimagining customer experience, and driving growth, Kurt is committed to advancing Aqua’s strategic goals.

Kurt holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf, working out, and following Notre Dame Football. He is a former board trustee and treasurer of the National Federation for Credit Counseling.

Bill joined Aqua as Chief Operations Officer in August 2024 bringing more than 30 years of experience in financial services.  Bill will lean on his experience and reputation for successfully leading organizations in transformative growth initiatives while improving financial performance and driving operational excellence at Aqua. 

Before joining Aqua, Bill worked for GE Capital, Wells Fargo and JP Morgan Chase, most recently, leading a product and business transformation team at JP Morgan Chase that was responsible for digital lending strategy and execution, AI development and integration, and document lifecycle management.

Bill holds a Bachelor's in Business Administration from Boston College. In his spare time, he enjoys being with his family, traveling, scuba diving, flying planes and anything active and outside. 

Johan joined Aqua Finance as Chief Financial Officer in October 2023 bringing more than 20 years of experience in financial services. Johan will lean on his extensive mergers and acquisitions (M&A), strategy, and capital markets expertise to drive transformation and growth at Aqua. A hallmark of his leadership style is building high performing teams and driving efficiency through technology.

Before joining Aqua, Johan was the CFO for Finance of America Companies. Prior to that he spent a decade at Capital One in several executive roles and seven years at Wells Fargo.

Originally from South Africa, Johan holds a BS in Accounting from the University of South Africa and an MBA from Santa Clara University. In his spare time, Johan is an avid runner, cyclist, golfer, and skier.

Jeremy joined Aqua Finance as Chief Credit Officer in July 2023, leading the credit and risk function and focused on using modern underwriting technologies to deliver a best-in-market customer and dealer experience.

Jeremy’s background includes Chief Credit Officer and Vice President Risk roles at several startup fintechs, and key market players, such as Synchrony and GreenSky, with a primary focus in dealer-based lending partnerships.

Jeremy holds a BS in Mathematics from California State Bakersfield. Jeremy enjoys time outdoors hiking and paddling whenever possible.

Travis joined Aqua Finance as Chief Information Officer in August 2022 to lead the information technology and information security groups, with a focus on transforming Aqua into a best-in-class digital organization.

Travis brings a keen focus on process automation, team development, strategic planning, project implementation, and cloud infrastructure. He is passionate about guiding high-performing technology teams through innovative technological advances.

Before joining Aqua, Travis spent more than 20 years managing technology organizations across a range of financial services companies.

Travis earned a BBA in Management Information Systems from the University of Georgia. He enjoys hiking, boating, and is currently on a mission to visit all the National Parks across America.

Larissa joined Aqua Finance in August 2022, assuming leadership of the Account Servicing team. Her primary focus centers on driving the team to deliver a best-in-class customer experience while nurturing an environment of continuous improvement and employee development.

With a career spanning over two decades in banking and finance, Larissa boasts diverse leadership experience across contact centers, customer experience, complaints, collections, recovery, credit, sales, and remarketing.

Academically, Larissa holds an undergraduate degree from Northwest Missouri State University and an MBA from Walsh College. She's notably a graduate of the Consumer Bankers Association Executive Banking School. Moreover, Larissa is a Veteran who served in the U.S. Army, during Operation Joint Guard, contributing to a NATO-led multinational peace enforcement mission in Bosnia and Hungary.

In her leisure time, Larissa finds joy in quality time with family and friends. She is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys travel, water-based recreation, hiking, gardening, and losing herself in a good book.

Kim has served as Aqua’s General Counsel since January 2022, leading the legal and regulatory compliance teams and advising the board and senior management to help ensure a superior experience for dealers, borrowers, and other stakeholders.

She has worked as a senior lawyer at global and regional banks and fintechs, including Bank of Montreal, MB Financial, and Diende Financial.

She is committed to the development of inclusive workplaces and has served as the Mentorship Committee Chair for the BMO Legal Corporate Compliance Group Diversity Counsel, Deinde Financial Mentorship Committee Chair, and Citizens School Mock Trial Group instructor.

In addition to jigsaw puzzles and traveling, Kim enjoys running marathons and playing golf.

She earned her JD from Loyola University Chicago School of Law and a BA in political science and public relations from Illinois Wesleyan University.

Greg joined Aqua Finance as Executive Vice President Growth Initiatives, in March 2023. Greg focuses on providing strategic direction and leadership to maximize Aqua’s various growth opportunities, including strategic partnerships, new product development, new markets and segments, and marketing and brand optimization.

Greg’s background includes strategic client management, marketing, product development, and Six Sigma quality roles. He has held several executive roles including, General Manager of the Belk Department Stores relationship for Synchrony, CMO for the GE Capital Walmart portfolio, CMO of GE Capital’s consumer bank in Zurich, Switzerland, and CMO for GE Capital’s Payment Solutions business which, like Aqua, was heavily focused on dealer-based originations.

Greg holds a Bachelor’s in English and Psychology from the University of Michigan. Greg is a passionate supporter of his alma mater and a Michigan football season ticket holder. Greg enjoys golf, boating, and spending time with his wife and three daughters. Greg has volunteered as a trustee and Deacon at Grace Point Church (Bentonville, AR) and Mission Community Church (Charlotte, NC).

Charlie joined Aqua Finance as Executive Vice President and General Manager, Power in August 2023. With more than 25 years in the financial services industry, Charlie is a seasoned leader in indirect lending. With his experience and expertise, he is focused on expanding Aqua’s presence in all recreational verticals.

Before joining Aqua, Charlie held several roles within indirect lending including Collection Manager, Underwriting Manager, Sales Manager, and Fulfillment Director for MB Financial and Fifth Third Bank.

Charlie holds a BBA from the Lewis University. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf, and traveling. Over the years, he has coached multiple youth sports teams and is currently the manager of a travel fastpitch team.

Jordan joined Aqua Finance as Senior Vice President of Sales in September 2023. In addition to cultivating a high-performing sales organization, Jordan fosters cross-functional partnerships and contributes to the development of Aqua’s customer-centric products and services.

Throughout his career, Jordan has demonstrated adept leadership across diverse realms, spanning Field Sales, Inside Sales, Sales Operations, and Marketing. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President of Sales at Finance of America Home Improvement (formerly Renovate America). Jordan has also held positions at Uber, Amazon, and Angeleno Group, a Los Angeles-based private equity firm.

Jordan holds a BS in Neuroscience from the University of California, Los Angeles, as well as an MBA and MS from the University of Michigan. Originally hailing from Grand Haven, Michigan, he now resides in San Diego, California, with his wife and children.

Ryan joined Aqua Finance as Senior Vice President of Product Management in August 2023. Ryan provides product strategy and vision for Aqua focusing on new product development and roadmaps, customer-centric user experiences, market analysis, and competitive intelligence.

Ryan’s background includes 20+ years of experience in product management, product marketing, channel marketing, and business development. Most recently Ryan was Senior Vice President, GM, Product Management and Marketing at Dividend Finance, which was acquired by Fifth Third Bank in 2022. Ryan has held product, marketing, and business development roles in large publicly traded international conglomerates including Siemens AG and Philips and venture-backed startups.

Ryan holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech. In his spare time, Ryan volunteers with FIRST Robotics, an organization focused on engaging kids in STEM at an early age. Ryan enjoys strategy board games, fantasy books, and spending time with his wife and two sons.

Jess joined Aqua Finance as Chief Human Resources Officer in 2023. She provides strategic leadership in employee experience, talent development, total rewards, organizational culture, and diversity, inclusion, and belonging.

Jess is an accomplished human resources professional with nearly 20 years of experience in the industrial and financial services industries. Most recently, she served in executive-level roles at NorthRock Partners and Connexus Credit Union. Before that, she served in leadership roles for global organizations, such as Donaldson Company and Federal Mogul.

With her proven track record and broad expertise, Jess has earned the reputation of being driven, innovative, inclusive, and credible. She is passionate about partnering with fellow business leaders to deliver high-quality and relevant HR initiatives that support an excellent client experience. She is steadfast in her focus on ensuring employees at Aqua can achieve success and growth in their careers while consistently experiencing a values-driven culture.

Jess holds a BA in Communication Studies from Winona State University, with a minor in Women’s and Gender Studies. Additionally, she is a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach and a member of the National Communication Association and Chief. In her free time, Jess coaches Junior Olympic volleyball, is an avid reader, and has recently begun to dabble as a boating enthusiast. She is also the mom and co-parent of three very active children who never fail to keep her on her toes.