Jacksonville-based FIS (NYSE:FIS) announced this week Stephanie L. Ferris would be taking over the role of CEO from Gary A. Norcross, who has served as the company’s CEO for the last eight years and chairman since 2018.
Ferris will continue her role as president as well as assume Norcross' role of CEO as he takes on the role of executive chairman of the board. Ferris was promoted to president in February.
Ferris was also appointed to the FIS Board of Directors.
In her role as FIS president, Ferris has been responsible for steering and executing the company’s global business strategy, including M&A, and its global business operations serving financial institutions, merchants and corporates of all sizes and geographies. A 28-year industry veteran with expertise in payments, technology platform businesses and driving digital transformation, Ferris led the integration of Worldpay into FIS, surpassing both revenue and cost synergy commitments, according to a statement from the company.
“Continually growing and developing FIS leadership talent, including succession planning, has remained a key focus of my agenda with our board,” FIS Chairman and CEO Gary Norcross said. “Since joining FIS, Stephanie has continually demonstrated tremendous leadership and bold actions in achievement of our goals. The Board and I are extremely confident in her ability to lead FIS in its next chapter of growth and transformation.”
Ferris will assume the president and CEO role on Jan. 1.
Under Norcross’ leadership, FIS has delivered consistent and profitable financial performance growing from a $6 billion business to the $14 billion global business it is today, the company said in a statement.
“I am incredibly honored to assume the CEO role from Gary and sincerely appreciate his partnership and mentorship. Few companies can match FIS’ rich, stellar history, industry-best breadth and scale, and focus on innovation," Ferris said. "We are uniquely positioned to chart the course for fintech innovation, and thanks to the confidence placed in me by Gary and FIS’ Board of Directors, I’m incredibly excited to lead the company into its future.”
