GSMA'S BILL GAJDA TO HEAD UP VISA'S MOBILE INITIATIVE WHILE MAINTAINING ROLE AS PRESIDENT OF THE GSM FOUNDATION

Visa Inc. (NYSE: V), the world’s largest retail electronic payments network (based on payments volume, total volume, number of transactions and total number of cards in circulation), announced today that Bill Gajda, currently Chief Commercial Officer at the GSMA, will join Visa as head of mobile.

Gajda’s position at Visa is designed to further advance Visa’s mobile strategy, working in collaboration with the wireless and financial services industries to bring mobile payments and related services to consumers around the globe. Gajda comes to Visa with nearly 15 years experience in the wireless industry, including seven years with the GSMA, the organization which represents the interests of the worldwide mobile communications industry. Spanning 219 countries, the GSMA unites nearly 800 of the world’s mobile operators, as well as more than 200 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem.  

During his tenure at the GSMA, Gajda held senior level positions including chief marketing officer, and most recently, chief commercial officer, where he was responsible for strategic initiatives including Mobile Money, Mobile Money Transfer, Mobile Advertising, Strategic Partnerships, Mobile Innovation and Business Development. Gajda also currently serves as president of the GSM Foundation, a position he will continue to maintain as head of mobile at Visa Inc.  

“Visa has made great strides in forming strategic alliances and working in collaboration with the wireless industry to bring mobile financial services to consumers in both mature and emerging markets,” said Elizabeth Buse, global head of product at Visa Inc. “Bill’s experience in working with mobile network operators, handset manufacturers and other leaders in wireless, combined with his track record in helping to developing successful business models, will be a significant asset as Visa’s aims to commercialize mobile financial services around the globe.”

Previous to his role at the GSMA, Gajda was head of marketing at Ericsson, and also held key positions at Bell Canada International and TELUS.