MasterCard International today announced that W. Roy Dunbar has been named President, Global Technology and Operations. MasterCard's Global Technology and Operations unit is responsible for a global network that processes US$1 trillion per year; authorizes as many as 40 million card transactions on a single day; and settles as much as US$10 billion on a single day. Dunbar, who will join MasterCard at the end of September, succeeds Jerry McElhatton, who is retiring from MasterCard at the end of the year.
"During his 10 years with MasterCard, Jerry led Global Technology and Operations to achieve successes that have set MasterCard apart in the global payments industry," said Robert W. Selander, MasterCard President and CEO. McElhatton oversaw the investment of more than $160 million in MasterCard's core technology as part of the company's Systems Enhancement Strategy, which was aimed at improving speed, capacity, flexibility, and customization opportunities for customers. In addition, McElhatton oversaw the building of a state-of-the-art Global Technology and Operations headquarters near St. Louis, Missouri; technological convergence with Europe following MasterCard's 2002 integration with Europay International; and significant strengthening of the company's back-up and co-processing capabilities.
Dunbar, 43, joins MasterCard from Eli Lilly, where he has served for 14 years. Since January 2004, he served as president of Eli Lilly's Intercontinental Region, with responsibility for operations in Africa, the Middle East, the Commonwealth of Independent States, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. Previously, he was vice president of information technology and chief information officer. In this capacity he oversaw a staff of more than 2,700 technology professionals and delivered a number of high-impact information systems projects directed at shortening product development cycles, enhancing knowledge management, increasing productivity, and improving customer relationships. He is credited with having led Eli Lilly to rank as the most innovative user of technology in the pharmaceutical industry.
"Roy possesses a unique combination of skills and experience in technology, sales, marketing, product development, and general management - a background that will serve him well as MasterCard seeks to further leverage its technology and processing capabilities for customers around the world," said Selander.
Born in Jamaica and raised in England, Dunbar graduated from Manchester University in the United Kingdom with a degree in pharmacy. He later received a master's of business administration from Manchester Business School. In 2003, Information Week named him Chief Information Officer of the Year.