Our co-founder, partner and friend, Scott Loftesness, is formally retiring from Glenbrook today. I can’t begin to say how much I will miss him – as a colleague, as a mentor, and as an endless source of ideas and insights. Glenbrook is today what it is largely because of Scott’s vision for the firm: a place for peers to meet, interested in collaboration; a platform for Glenbrook partners to do the work that interests them; a means to bring our collective knowledge to bear on clients’ needs. Above all else, Scott has a fierce determination to understand the workings of our industry. This passion led Scott to create and nurture our Glenbrook Payments News site: an incredible accomplishment and a valuable source of news and knowledge for payments professionals throughout the industry.
Among his many admirable qualities, Scott has always had a razor focus on what is important – a natural genius, you might say, for sorting out the wheat from the chaff. We’ve always enjoyed that, and been guided by it: I remember when, in about 2005, he turned to us and said “you know, I think we should start thinking about mobile again….”
Scott, best wishes for the years ahead. I know you will continue to follow the industry and I hope you will always let us know about the next big topic we should focus on. In your (relative) leisure in the years to come, I’m sure your passion for photography will stand you well. I have some of your pieces on my living room walls, and I certainly hope I can add to my collection in the coming years.
Many people have been encouraged by Scott over the years. I can’t tell you how many times, when I have mentioned to people that I am with Glenbrook, that I have heard: “Glenbrook – that’s where Scott Loftesness is, right? I know Scott!” Sometimes these were people who had worked closely with Scott, but often they were people who had just met with him once, but felt a deep connection. So I will also join the chorus, and say “I know Scott!” – and I’m glad I do.
Do you know Scott? Add your comments below.
As a founding partner of Glenbrook, Carol has offered clients over 25 years of experience in product, marketing, and strategy development with leading financial services providers in both wholesale and retail financial services. She is a co-author of the book “Payments Systems in the U.S.” Before founding Glenbrook Partners, Carol was a managing director of the Global Institutional Services division of Deutsche Bank, in charge of marketing, client online services, and Internet development.
Carol began her career as a corporate lending officer for large multinationals at both Bank of America and Citibank. During her time at Visa International, Carol founded and managed Visa’s European product-development office, where she led a series of electronic-commerce and chip-card projects designed to bring European banks online. Carol formally retired from Glenbrook in June 2020, but remains important to the firm as both a friend and advisor.