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EPCOR CEO Awarded Lifetime Achievement Award

Marquis Who's Who, the world's premier publisher of biographical profiles, recently presented Ann-Marie Bartels, AAP, with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. An accomplished listee, Ms. Bartels celebrates many years' experience in her professional network, and has been noted for achievements, leadership qualities and the credentials and successes she has accrued in her field. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

With more than 40 years of experience to her credit, Ms. Bartels has become an authority in her industry and currently serves as chief executive officer at EPCOR, a not-for-profit trade association serving financial institutions in the payments industry. Previously, she excelled as a public relations director at Showtime, Inc. from 1976 to 1978, a public relations coordinator and director at Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Baily Circus, from 1978 to 1982, a marketing manager and conferences director at the American Federation Information Processing Societies (AFIPS) from 1982 to 1987 and owner of The Amber Group from 1987 to 1990. Subsequent to these appointments, Ms. Bartels worked as the communications director from 1988 to 1995, vice president from 1995 to 1998 and president/chief executive officer from 1998 to 2009 of Mid-America Payments Exchange (MPX). She was named chief executive officer of EPCOR in 2009, after MPX merged with Payments Central to form EPCOR.

Ms. Bartels has served on the board of directors for a number of associations including EPCOR, Nacha, Mid-America Payment Exchange, The Bankers Institute, Routing Number Administrative Board and The Payments Institute Board of Regents. During her career, she has been a member and/or chairperson of numerous payments industry organizations including the U.S. Faster Payments Council, Federal Reserve Faster Payments Task Force, Nacha Communications & Marketing Advisory Group, the Corporate Payments Council, Center for Payments, Payments Executives Leadership Forum, Global Payments Forum, Internet Council, Electronic Check Council, Council for Electronic Billing & Payment, Risk Management Advisory Group and ACH Quality Task Force.

Ms. Bartels remains informed of the changes and advancements in her industry through relevant organizations including the American Society of Association Executives, Kansas City Society of Association Executives, Nacha and the Association for Financial Professionals.

Prior to becoming an esteemed professional, Ms. Bartels pursued higher education, completing coursework at Southern Illinois University from 1972 to 1976. She is an Accredited ACH Professional (AAP) through Nacha. Ms. Bartels has also contributed numerous articles to national and regional publications and has been a frequent speaker at industry conferences.

Ms. Bartels has received a number of awards throughout her career. She received a Merit Certificate from the Printing Industries of America in 1982 and an Excellence Certificate in convention promotions from Association Trends in 1983, Meritorious Service Awards from the American Payroll Association in 2000 and 2001 and the Marquis Award from Mid-America Payment Exchange in 2003. Ms. Bartels has been featured in several editions of Who's Who in America, Who's Who in the World, Who's Who of American Women and Who's Who of Emerging Leaders in America.

Ms. Bartels is married to Anthony E. Cowell. She is a member of Unity Temple on the Plaza. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, gardening and photography.

In recognition of outstanding contributions to her profession and the Marquis Who's Who community, Ms. Bartels has been featured on the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement website. Please visit www.ltachievers.com for more information about this honor.

Source: Marquis Who's Who®