PayIt appoints new president and COO as fast-scaling KC govtech company hits pivotal moment
November 16, 2023 | Startland News Staff
A veteran govtech leader is joining one of Kansas City’s best-known scale-ups as the company eyes a new era of growth and the expansion of its national and international footprint.
PayIt — a leader in digital customer experience solutions with integrated payments for state, local, and provincial governments — announced on Thursday the appointment of Tom Nieto as its new president and chief operating officer.
Nieto, who comes with 15 years of industry experience, is expected to focus on driving strategy for PayIt, scaling its operations, and building out capabilities to continue to drive growth for the company.
“Tom’s rich blend of highly relevant professional experiences, strong leadership style, and passion for the PayIt mission made him an easy choice to help guide our business through its next stages,” said John Thomson, co-founder and CEO of PayIt. “I am confident that his contributions will drive our company forward, and our customers, current and future, will benefit from the progress we make with Tom on the team.”
PayIt currently has more than 225 employees distributed across North America, with its headquarters in downtown Kansas City, as well as offices in Nashville and Toronto.
Mike Plunkett and John Thomson, PayIt co-founders; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News
Thomson and co-founder Mike Plunkett will remain in essential roles with the company, PayIt said.
With Nieto on board, Thomson will be able to focus even more of his efforts on strategic growth and business decisions as the new president takes over overseeing more of the scaling business’s operations.
In his new role as chief development officer, Plunkett — who previously served as COO — will prioritize client relationships, key business development efforts, and leadership development within the company.
RELATED: PayIt co-founder: No one-size-fits-all formula for scaling one of KC biggest startup ideas
Nieto was most recently COO at Accela. He previously held leadership positions at companies including Box and Boston Consulting Group. Nieto holds an M.B.A. from Harvard University and B.A. in International Relations from Stanford University.
PayIt’s modern customer experience and payments platform for government simplifies the way government agencies serve their communities. Cities, towns, counties, states, and provinces use PayIt to collect revenue, work more efficiently, and deliver a better customer experience.
Click here to learn more about PayIt.
The company consolidates services including property tax, DMV, outdoors, courts, and utilities into one connected experience for residents — launching quickly and saving government agencies up to $6 per transaction, according to PayIt.
“Payit is at a pivotal moment in our continued growth trajectory,” said Nieto. “Our differentiated offering and talented team has us poised to continue our growth across North America.”
“I am excited to join PayIt to build our next phase of growth and deliver an unparalleled experience to our clients and the customers they serve,” he added.
2023 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
The Neighbrohood aims to build an entrepreneur network for KC men, leader says
Sunday’s debut public event from The Neighbrohood is about generating fellowship and conversation among young professionals, entrepreneurs and any other men working to make Kansas City thrive, Patrick Green said. “Our vision in that is to see Neighbrohood as a place for brotherhood, and our mission is to be change agents that strengthen men through…
UMKC entrepreneur competition ups prize money to $75K
For the second consecutive year, the University of Missouri-Kansas City has boosted prize money for its premier entrepreneurial competition. Eligible student teams will now vie for $75,000 in total awards through the Regnier Venture Creation Challenge Competition and new Blue KC Healthcare Innovation Prize. “The Regnier Venture Creation Challenge has become one of the signature…
KC designers: Send us your anti-gun violence messages, we’ll make the protest signs
Young people marching Saturday as part of nationwide anti-gun violence demonstrations deserve for their messages to be seen and heard, said Spencer Branham. Solid, impactful design will help, he added. Members of AIGA KC, a professional organization for Kansas City graphic designers, are now accepting submissions ahead of Saturday’s March For Our Lives events, said…
KC Shave Company cuts its own niche with blades of disruption
A well-groomed man needn’t choose merely between cheap, breakable, throwaway razor blades and high-end, pricey shaving kits, said Mike Knopke, co-founder of KC Shave Company. On their way to building “a shaving empire,” Knopke and co-founder Joe Henderson hope to fill the gap amid a landscape of disposable and over-priced options, they said. A current…