Eric Wester, AAP, AFPP, APRP, NCP
Director of Member Services
UMACHA
Biography
Eric Wester serves as the Director of Member Services at UMACHA, where he combines deep operational experience with a passion for payments education. With more than five years in the Payments Association space and over five years in banking—including leadership roles in payments operations—Eric brings a practical, member focused perspective to every interaction. At UMACHA, Eric leads the Rules and Technology Committee, an advisory group that helps shape UMACHA’s feedback on the direction of the ACH Network, including proposed revisions to the Nacha Operating Rules, and other regulatory developments. His ability to translate complex rule proposals, operational challenges, and emerging industry issues into meaningful guidance ensures members’ voices are represented and their needs are understood. Through dynamic webinars, interactive workshops, consulting engagements, and day to day support, Eric makes payments rules and regulations approachable, actionable, and relevant. His hands on operational background allows him to connect authentically with members and offer solutions grounded in real world experience. Recognized for his energy, clarity, and commitment to strengthening the payments ecosystem, Eric is driven by a simple goal: empowering payments professionals to stay informed, compliant, and confident amid an ever changing landscape.
How is the nominee propelling the industry forward?
Eric is advancing the payments industry by strengthening the knowledge, preparedness, and collective voice of the institutions that rely on the ACH Network and other payment systems every day. He elevates the industry through education that translates complex regulations, operational challenges, and emerging risks into clear, actionable guidance. His ability to simplify complexity helps financial institutions operate more confidently, more efficiently, and with reduced risk. Through his leadership, Eric brings together a diverse group of payments experts to analyze regulatory proposals, anticipate operational impacts, and shape informed responses to Nacha and other industry stakeholders. This work ensures that member institutions—large and small—have their perspectives represented in conversations that influence the future of the payments ecosystem. Eric’s hands‑on background in bank operations and ACH leadership positions allows him to advocate effectively for practitioners, focusing on real‑world challenges rather than theoretical perspectives. His education programs, consulting engagements, and day‑to‑day member support help organizations modernize processes, prepare for rule changes, and sustain strong compliance cultures. By combining operational expertise, regulatory insight, and a passion for empowering professionals, Eric is actively helping the industry stay ahead of change and build a stronger, more resilient payments landscape.
Where do you see the nominee succeeding in the future?
Eric is positioned to play an increasingly influential role in shaping the future of the payments industry. With a rare combination of hands‑on operational experience, deep rules expertise, and a gift for translating complexity into clarity, Eric is well equipped to continue taking on greater leadership roles in industry education, regulatory collaboration, and strategic guidance for financial institutions. Eric will continue to guide industry dialogue, build consensus among diverse stakeholders, and represent member perspectives in conversations that influence future rulemaking. These skills uniquely position him for expanded involvement in national workgroups, advisory bodies, and broader industry governance. Eric’s passion for empowering professionals also sets him up for continued success in shaping the next generation of payments leaders. His ability to make education engaging, accessible, and actionable will allow him to scale his impact as he develops new programs, mentors emerging professionals, and advocates for thoughtful industry modernization.