Sam Thurman is the vice president of PCI Remediation in product operations at Elavon, a global leader in payments processing and wholly owned subsidiary of U.S. Bank, and leads the organization’s PCI and Obsolete Technology remediation teams.
Sam started his career as a Space Systems Operations Officer and attained the position of Chief of Operations Training for the United States Air Force (Captain). After switching from a military background to join the aerospace industry and eventually the financial industry, Sam found his passion for corporate and community advocacy. He is able to use his innate diplomatic communication style to effectively and confidently advocate for employee and corporate community initiatives through his participation in Elavon’s Black Heritage Business Resource Group (BRG), Black Executive Leadership Council, Asian American and Pacific Islander BRG and Proud to Serve (Military Veteran) BRG.
Beyond this, Sam serves as U.S. Bank and Elavon’s Engagement Manager for the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs – an Atlanta-based organization dedicated to empowering Black entrepreneurs and small business owners – to provide economic empowerment to the next generation of Black tech entrepreneurs. Additionally, Sam is a mentor and sits on two advisory boards for Year Up – a Boston-based organization whose mission is to close the opportunity divide for young adults.
Sam received his undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia, his MBA from Capella University, and completed graduate certification in innovation management from Georgia Tech. Sam is also an alum of the McKinsey Academy Leadership program and the Management Leadership for Tomorrow Career Advancement Program (MLT/CAP). He lives in Atlanta.
