Bank / Credit Union

DCI names Fankhauser first female CEO

July 8, 2020

Sarah Fankhauser

arah Fankhauser, DCI president and COO, has been named as the company's fifth CEO, and the first female CEO among major core providers in the U.S. bank technology industry.

Fankhuser's appointment was accelerated from a planned transition of power from former CEO John H. Jones that was to occur a year from now, according to a press release. However, Jones chose to fast-forward the transition due to the impact of COVID-19 on staff and clients.

"With the transition plan already in place, and Sarah fully prepared to step in, I decided that accelerating the transition would be the best decision for both myself and DCI," Jones said in the release. "I know she is ready to lead DCI to new heights with purpose and distinction, and I'm proud to see her lead DCI as its first female CEO."

As the company had originally planned, Jones will remain on the board of directors and also serve in an executive support role until the company completes the final phases of a multi-million-dollar underground data center in Kansas City. Jones will retire officially on October 15, 2020.

Fankhauser, a former banker, joined DCI in 1993 and quickly rose through the ranks. During a 2009 reorganization, Fankhauser was promoted to executive vice president under Jones.

"I'm honored by the confidence that John and the board have given me to assume this role, and the magnitude of responsibility it carries for our employees and clients," Fankhauser said in the release. "I pledge to carry it out with the same integrity, humility and thoughtfulness of those before me, and I'm looking forward to the bold new heights we'll achieve in digital banking in the coming years."