Session 01

• Peter Geronimo, Managing Director - Citibank N.A.
• Kelvin Ang, CPA, CFA, Director, Client Advisory Group - Citibank N.A.
• Brook Ballard, Treasurer - Oceaneering Intl.

Monday, April 28th
9:45am - 10:45am
Grand I

Session Description

Implementing an In-House Bank (IHB) is like preparing a Soufflé. You have to pay attention to the base layer that provides the foundational layer (of intercompany loans) and (savory or sweet) flavor, and you have to focus on the top layer as well, because that is the most challenging part in determining success or failure. While operating an IHB is an indisputable treasury best practice, the success of an IHB to a company depends on the Chef de Maison (Treasurer) in having an eye for detail on the complexity level, timeliness, scope, and technology deployment. Despite the potential challenges that you will face, the time and effort invested in the IHB Soufflé will be worthwhile and rewarding.

• Learn practical approaches and strategies for developing a successful in-house bank
• Apply tried-and-tested steps and best practices for creating an IHB in your organization, starting from a tactical discussion to a strategic enterprise value-add

Speaker Information

Peter Geronimo manages the teams that are responsible for ensuring that our clients have an excellent experience with Citi that leads to new opportunities to partner together. Peter’s teams are responsible for building solutions for those new opportunities that help our clients increase revenue, decrease costs, and drive operational efficiencies. In addition, Peter is responsible for the North American CCB acceleration strategy, which focuses on solution packaging across all industries and enhancing the overall client experience. Peter has been with Citi for over 15 years, and has held diverse roles across the firm including: Operations, Customer Service, Solution Sales, and Business Development. Most recently, Peter was the NAM eCommerce Sales Head supporting our client direct to consumer journeys.

Kelvin Ang is a Principal Consultant, Director, Client Advisory Group of Citibank Treasury & Trade Solutions. Based in New York, Kelvin is responsible for leading the delivery of advisory services to Citi clients in the areas of treasury operations, working capital management, risk mitigation, and treasury technology. With over 25 years of treasury and accounting experience, Kelvin joined Citi in April 2015 with extensive corporate experience, having been based in Asia, the US, and the Middle East in various positions managing regional treasury centers and in-house banks. Kelvin holds an accounting degree from the Nanyang Technological University of Singapore, and is a Singapore Chartered Accountant as well as a Chartered Financial Analyst.

Before joining Oceaneering, Brook Ballard managed the Treasury Operations for Cheniere, where his team won an award for best Treasury Transformation from Treasury Management International. Brook has a passion for Treasury, Technology and Transformation using these skills on the team recruited to aid AIG in the financial crisis, on team at the forefront of building the architecture for Remote Capture and Treasury solutions at Sysco or building the Treasury systems for Live Nation. He is a past president for HTMA, past chair of TEXPO and board member of the Alliance of Texas Treasury associations (ATTA), the governing body for TEXPO.

• Paul Tucker, Chief Information Security Officer - BOK Financial

Monday, April 28th
9:45am - 10:45am
Grand B

Session Description

There are countless ways, and more appearing every day, of how cyber criminals are using artificial intelligence to defraud and disrupt payment processing. This invisible threat is having a grave impact on all industries across the United States and is costing $12.5 billion per year in lost revenue. With attacks becoming increasingly sophisticated, there are processes that a company can take to mitigate these risks. This session will help inform attendees of what their company needs to do to mitigate these risks, what training employees need to complete, and what to do when a company is attacked by cyber criminals.

The session will use real life examples and case studies to highlight methods and best practices for detecting AI driven fraud. Will all discuss using AI to detect fraud and identify unusual account activity.

• An increased knowledge in the sophistication of cyber criminals in their use of AI to trick and defraud payment processors.
• Steps a company can take to mitigate the risks from criminals using Artificial Intelligence for nefarious means.
• Identifying gaps in your organization’s security that may be exploited by cybercriminals.

Speaker Information

Paul Tucker is Senior Vice President and Chief Information Security and Privacy Officer at BOK Financial. In this role Tucker leads the cybersecurity team responsible for the bank's efforts to protect information important to the bank's operation, while ensuring the overall cyber resiliency and privacy of the bank. With over 28 years of building and running enterprise security functions, security engineering, security governance and program management, Tucker has had the opportunity to lead many successful teams around security compliance, identity management, incident response, information protection, cloud security and security risk management. Tucker oversees cybersecurity compliance activities from the Department of Treasury, Federal Reserve Board, SEC, SOX, GLBA, GDPR, FFIEC, SOC 2, PCI, and ISO 27001. Prior to joining BOKF, Tucker managed an Information Security and Risk Management program within a Fortune 500 energy company, that handled a wide variety of information security issues including industrial control system security. Tucker has served as the President of the Tulsa, Oklahoma ISSA, instructed network security classes at Oklahoma State University (OSU), and currently serves on several boards including OSU Institute of Technology, Oklahoma Infragard, Optiv Security, University of Tulsa, and Tulsa Habitat for Humanity. He has also contributed on many DHS, TSA, FBI, and Energy/Financial Sector special committees for cybersecurity initiatives.

• Jeff Jones CFO - 2022 Dallas CFO of the Year, BBA - Accounting, MA - Conflict Management/Resolution - Twisted X
• Wes Rager CPA, Senior Portfolio Manager - Invesco
• Brittany O’Shea, Executive Director, Head of Liquidity, Pricing and Receivables Product Management - Texas Capital Bank

Monday, April 28th
9:45am - 10:45am
Grand H

Session Description

In today’s dynamic economic environment, corporate Treasurers face unprecedented challenges in managing liquidity and optimizing balance sheets. This session will provide actionable insights into how Treasurers should be thinking about key factors shaping global markets, including rising interest rates, persistent inflation, and the evolving trade policies under the new Presidential administration.

Join our panel of experts as they discuss:

•  Interest Rates: Strategies to manage cash and debt in the face of rate hikes, and how to navigate uncertainty in the timing and magnitude of future changes.
• Inflation Pressures: Tools to preserve purchasing power, mitigate inflationary risks, and ensure operational resilience in a high-cost environment.
• Trade and Tariffs: The impact of new tariff policies on supply chains, cash flow forecasting, and cross-border liquidity planning.

Attendees will walk away with a clear framework to adapt their liquidity strategies to this challenging macroeconomic backdrop and leverage these insights to support their organizations’ financial health and long-term goals.

Speaker Information

Jeff Jones is the CFO and Treasurer at Twisted X, Inc., an international distributor of footwear in the work, casual and western categories. Jeff leads the accounting, finance and logistics teams. In previous roles, he has led and been a part of multiple operational roles including retail and wholesale sales, fulfillment, customer service, IT and HR. Jeff has a BBA in Accounting and an MA in Conflict Resolution from Abilene Christian University. Jeff was recently honored as a D CEO Financial Executive of the Year. Jeff is also a speaker and trainer on topics including conflict management, leadership development, team building and peacemaking. Jeff is married to Kelly and they have 6 married children and 5 grandchildren (pictures available for viewing).

Wes Rager is a Senior Portfolio Manager for the Global Liquidity team at Invesco. In this role, he is responsible for the management of all cash management products, including institutional, retail and offshore money funds, as well as private accounts. Mr. Rager joined Invesco in 2010 in the Financial Planning & Analysis division, where he was a senior financial analyst. He assumed his current position in 2014. Before joining Invesco, he worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers for six years. Mr. Rager earned a BS degree in accounting and finance from Indiana University. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

• Judson McAdams, Executive Vice President Director of Treasury Management & Payment Solutions - SouthState Bank
• Craig Jeffery, Founder & Managing Partner - Strategic Treasurer

Monday, April 28th
9:45am - 10:45am
Grand E

Session Description

Payment types are multiplying, with new payment rails offering innovative features around three main priorities: speed, enriched data, and security. Security is always important, rich data is important in most use cases, and speed is a priority in certain use cases. This session will look at how payments can be better on a comprehensive basis, rather than focusing on only one dimension. A variety of use cases will be used to explore the need for speed, data, and security in different situations.  We will review some of the key drivers for the use of “instant” payments.

Attendees will come away with an improved understanding of different payment types and how they address particular use cases at various organizations.

Speaker Information

Judson McAdams is Executive Vice President and Director of the Treasury Management & Payment Solutions department at SouthState Bank. Judson is responsible for executing the bank's overall commercial payments strategy including the sales, support, and product management of South State's Treasury Management, Merchant Services, and Purchasing Card solutions. He has 20+ years of experience as a commercial and business banker. Judson has a Bachelor of Arts in Managerial Economics from Hampden-Sydney College and a Masters from the ABA Stonier Graduate School of Business.

Craig Jeffery formed Strategic Treasurer LLC in 2004 to provide corporate, educational, and government entities direct access to comprehensive and current assistance with their treasury and financial process needs. His 20+ years of financial and treasury experience as a practitioner and as a consultant have uniquely qualified him to help organizations craft realistic goals and achieve significant benefits quickly. He is primarily responsible for relationship management and ensuring total client satisfaction on all projects.

• Mike Frost, Product Solutions Director - JP Morgan
• John Gordon, CEO - Validifi
• Elena Michaeli, Global Marketplace Risk, Intelligence, and Strategy - Wal-Mart

Monday, April 28th
9:45am - 10:45am
Grand G

Session Description

Our panel of experts will delve into the importance of having a policy that defines how Treasury will meet the new requirements, and how to put procedures in place for enforcing this policy ahead of any operational changes. We will also delve into how to effectively partner with IT teams to build a robust Treasury defense.

Attendees will learn how to outsmart fraudsters and develop winning strategies against new threats and vulnerabilities, including how AI is being weaponized by fraudsters. We will share best practices that can empower Treasury to keep the business safe by staying ahead of the curve. Lean into proactive protection, not just crisis management. Join us for an insightful session that help you make your Treasury more resilient today and into the future.

Speaker Information

John Gordon, CEO at ValidiFI, has more than 15 years of experience in the alternative credit data market. He was previously Global VP of Sales and Business Development at FactorTrust, acquired by TransUnion (TU) (NYSE: TRU). At TU, John managed the alternative credit, key account sales team, helping financial service providers leverage data to solve for fraud, risk, and account management challenges. John holds a BA in History from the University of Georgia.

Elena Michaeli is a renowned Fraud & Risk Strategist with a proven track record in eCommerce, Banking, Fintech, and Cyber Intelligence. Leading identity and account security strategies at Walmart Marketplace, she drives growth and enhances customer trust. Her roles at Bank Leumi, Pepper Digital Bank, Pepper Pay, and Shutterstock, along with her active involvement in the Merchant Risk Council and Marketplace Risk Advisory Board, showcase her commitment to digital resilience.

• Chris Allen, VP of Sales - Trovata
• Erica Proctor, Senior Treasury Manager - Dallas Cowboys

Monday, April 28th
9:45am - 10:45am
Iris

Session Description

APIs are transforming treasury management by connecting critical systems, enhancing security, and unlocking actionable insights. Yet, many finance teams still face hurdles in adopting these game-changing tools. This session addresses the challenges of API adoption head-on, offering practical strategies to modernize your treasury tech stack. Learn how to bridge the gap between existing systems and APIs to streamline processes, improve decision-making, and future-proof your operations.

Attendees will:

• Strengthen their tech knowledge to better communicate challenges with current systems and highlight the benefits of emerging technologies
• Obtain the skills to wield tools like APIs and AI to manage liquidity and provide strategic guidance
• Learn to assess their technology landscape and develop a practical roadmap for implementing a future-proof API strategy without the need to go back to school for a computer science degree

Speaker Information

Chris Allen has spent the last 15 years in tech and SaaS sales spanning multiple industries and segments building and scaling successful sales teams. Prior to Trovata, Chris led all Enterprise go-to-market functions for Podium, a company he helped scale from $5m to $200m ARR. Chris Allen has spoken at a variety of finance and treasury events, including the Northwest Association for Finance Professionals and the San Francisco Treasury Management Association. He’s also partnered with banks, including the Bank of New Zealand, to share thought leadership at their client events.

Erica Proctor is the Senior Treasury Manager for the Dallas Cowboys, overseeing cash management, forecasting, and banking operations for one of the world’s most recognized sports franchises. A Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) with deep expertise in treasury strategy and automation, Erica brings valuable insights into optimizing financial operations in a fast-paced environment.

• Greg Litster - SAFEChecks

Monday, April 28th
9:45am - 10:45am
Periwinkle

Session Description

The liability for check fraud losses continues to evolve as check fraud continues to explode. Almost every week there are new headlines about check fraud, and almost every report continues to list it as a core concern for financial institutions, and for companies that get hit repeatedly. Many individuals, companies, and financial institutions think they are protected, and yet are woefully ignorant about some of the most basic principles of the Uniform Commercial Code, Check 21, Holder In Due Course, Sight Review, and other laws governing banking and checking.

Beyond basic principles, even some top banking executives are seriously lacking in awareness of the deeper implications and liabilities facing their organizations because of multi-layered and overlapping laws and regulations.

Learn from a seasoned expert witness and “recovering banker” about the intricacies and overlapping liabilities that can ensnare supposedly robust fraud prevention programs.

• Attendees will learn what Sight Review is, why it’s important, and how to establish an effective Sight Review process.
• Attendees will learn little-known but extremely powerful elements of Check 21, Holder In Due Course, and the Uniform Commercial Code which intertwine to create liabilities that companies don’t know about until they are hit with a claim.
• Attendees will receive straightforward strategies to create the strongest defense possible against check fraud, including real-life fraud situations and how they could have been avoided.

Speaker Information

Greg Litster is President and CEO of SAFEChecks, a company specializing in fraud prevention. Mr. Litster is a former 18-year banker who held various executive-level positions in banking prior to acquiring SAFEChecks from a California business bank in 1996. SAFEChecks manufactures business and personal high-security checks designed by Frank Abagnale, and also offers fraud-prevention software, educational seminars, and expert witness and consulting services. Mr. Litster is Editor of Frank Abagnale’s Fraud Bulletin, and has written numerous articles for publications such as AFP Exchange, American Payroll Association, American Land Title Association, and Sheshunoff’s Corporate Cash Management Manual. He has given fraud prevention seminars to hundreds of financial and professional organizations across the USA, and has extensive experience as an expert witness, serving on several national and international check fraud and embezzlement cases. Mr. Litster earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics and an MBA in Finance, both from Brigham Young University.

• Dubos Masson, Ph.D, CTP, CertICM, President, The Treasury Academy
• Raymond Vines, CTP - Part Time Treasurer, Treasury Consultant, Trainer - Turningpoint Communications

Monday, April 28th
9:45am - 10:45am
Sunflower

Session Description

• Chapter 10: Introduction to Working Capital Management
• Chapter 11: Working Capital Metrics

Speaker Information

D.J. Masson, Ph.D., is President of The Treasury Academy, a training and consulting firm specializing in treasury management, international finance, business forecasting, and risk management. Over the past 25 years, D.J. has provided business and financial consulting and training services to a wide variety of corporations, financial institutions, and not-for-profit organizations in the U.S., Canada, and abroad. He is currently an Associate Clinical Professor of Finance at Indiana University’s Kelly School of Business and is a trainer and curriculum developer for programs with Association for Financial Professionals (AFP), GT News and Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT) in the U.K, and Citibank’s Global Transactions Services unit. D.J. has extensive experience in developing curriculum for a wide range of teaching and training environments, both residential and on-line. He has developed classes and taught at all levels of higher education: undergraduate, MBA, Executive MBA, and in-house, custom-designed courses. D.J. has worked with professional associations to develop workshop, training materials, and certification programs in the areas of Treasury Management, Credit Management, Global Cash Management, Financial Forecasting, Commercial Banking, and Risk Management. D. J.’s educational background includes a B.A. in Business from the University of New Orleans and an MBA and Ph.D. in Finance from Indiana University. D.J. earned his Certified Cash Manager (CCM/CTP) credential in 1988. D.J. also earned the Cert ICM, an international cash management certification, from the Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT) in the UK in 1999.

Ray Vines brings 30 years of corporate treasury experience (and honesty) to bear for Turningpoint Communications’ treasury management sales trainees, customers, customers’ clients and other key constituents as the “voice of the client” for programs, documentation and high-touch client experiences. Ray is also an instructor for the Association for Financial Professionals’ (AFP) Certified Treasury Professional (CTP), Treasury Learning System instructor-led courses, educating hundreds of prospective CTP candidates each spring and fall for Rice University and the University of Texas. Formerly, Ray served as Director of Treasury for Dean Foods in Dallas for seven years, where he was responsible for leading treasury operations and his team, managing internal and external relationships and continuous process improvement. Prior to Dean Foods, Ray spent 20 years at RadioShack as Director of Treasury Operations. Ray is an active participant in enhancing the role of treasury management as an industry and career through his participation on industry roundtables and his leadership of the Dallas AFP, including his role as past president of the . Ray co-chaired the award-winning TEXPO conference in Dallas in 2018, leading all technological, marketing and communications aspects of the conference and is a key member of the content team for #DallasTEXPO2023. Ray holds a B.S. in Finance and MS in Accounting from the University of Texas and is a Certified Treasury Professional (CTP). Ray is also a WSET Level 3 Advanced (Wine & Spirits Education Trust) Wine and Spirits Certified instructor, and customizes courses in wine/spirits etiquette for financial audiences and executives.