Jerry Straessle has a long, distinguished history in the credit card industry spanning more than 37 years. Before establishing JLS Associates, Mr. Straessle held management positions with J.C. Penney Company, Allied Stores Corporation, American Airlines, and Worthen Bank & Trust in Little Rock, AR.

In 1985, he formed JLS Associates. From the firm’s beginning, Mr. Straessle has remained active in project origination, project management, new business solicitation, and strategic planning with his clients.   He brings a mature and experienced vision of the credit industry and participates personally in each project the firm undertakes.

Some of his career accomplishments and successes include:

• Creating the concept known as "Duality," by becoming the first issuer of both Visa and Master Charge bank cards in 1971. Prior to this time, credit card issuers used only one of the major bank cards. Mr. Straessle personally fought a legal battle for duality, a concept that is now commonplace.
• Successfully implementing the first annual fee for a bank credit card program three years before annual fees became an industry standard.
• Designing and implementing the first multi-vendor, multi-financial institution ATM network in the country.