Core10, Inc. (Core10), a U.S.-based financial technology company that provides lending and account opening products, as well as software development services, today announced that Russ Bernthal, Rodney Whitwell and Ryan Zacharia have joined its board of directors. 

Bernthal, the former SVP, Jack Henry and Associates, and president, ProfitStars; Whitwell, a principal at Patriot Financial Partners; and Ryan Zacharia, a managing partner at JAM Special Opportunity Ventures (JSOV), have more than 75 years of combined Fintech experience and will play an instrumental role in furthering the growth of Core10.

“Our board shares a common vision, and Core10 recognizes their exceptional leadership abilities and the vast amount of experience each has in our industry,” said Jeff Hanson, CEO of Core10. “Core10 exists to unleash untapped potential in our team members, clients we serve and communities in which we engage. We welcome Russ, Rodney and Ryan, who understand the value Core10 brings to its clients.”

Bernthal retired from Jack Henry and ProfitStars in 2021. Before these positions, he was SVP of consulting for SHL Systemhouse and EVP at Parks Consulting. Bernthal was also a board member and president of the Association of Financial Technology (AFT). He brings more than 40 years of entrepreneurial and leadership expertise in software products, consulting services, business development and profitable operations throughout the global market to Core10’s board. 

Whitwell is a principal at Patriot Financial Partners, a private equity firm focused on investing in community banks, thrifts and financial services-related companies throughout the United States. Whitwell has a strong track record of strategic and organizational transformation across the financial services industry. Previously, Whitwell was senior EVP and CAO at Sterling National Bank, in addition to holding several senior roles at financial institutions. 

Zacharia is the managing partner at JAM Special Opportunity Ventures (JSOV). With more than 15 years of experience from his positions at Jacobs Asset Management (JAM), he has amassed a wealth of knowledge in depository and speciality finance companies. Prior to JAM, Zacharia was an investment banking analyst at Citi Corporate Markets & Banking in the Diversified Financial Services group.

“Having individuals with the passion for technology, industry insights and unprecedented experience Russ, Rodney and Ryan possess will be impactful to the future growth of Core10,” said Joe Maxwell, chairman of Core10’s board and managing partner at FINTOP Capital. “The depth of knowledge and understanding of technology, banking and scaling will be pivotal to supporting not only Core10’s current clients but also those with which we will work in the future.”

Core10 provides community financial institutions and fintechs with subscription and project-based API integration solutions to eliminate backlogs, reduce staffing costs and support business growth opportunities. The company’s Accrue platform is a highly-configurable and scalable solution designed specifically for community financial institutions. An OEM Salesforce Platform provider, the platform provides digital account opening, digital lending, and core/fintech connectivity to accelerate community financial institutions’ digital transformation strategies.

Recently, Core10 closed a $6.5 million Series B funding round to strengthen its services offerings in API development, SaaS implementation, customer success and its Accrue platform. Bernthal, Whitwell and Zacharia’s addition to the board will provide expert guidance toward enhancing and accelerating Core10’s product and service offerings.