Silicon Valley Company PayNearMe Hires Former NAACP Senior Advisor to Lead Government Affairs

Jotaka Eaddy Joins Ranks of High Profile Policy and Advocacy Leaders Working to Bridge the Gap Between Washington and Silicon Valley


SUNNYVALE, CA--(Marketwired - October 06, 2014) - PayNearMe, the electronic cash transaction network, today announced the hire of Jotaka Eaddy, former senior advisor to the president and CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), to lead the company's public policy and consumer advocacy initiatives as its senior vice president of government affairs.

PayNearMe provides cash-paying consumers with an easy way to pay bills and rent, as well as to make online purchases. Through the company's retail partnerships, consumers can make payments at their convenience at more than 17,000 participating 7-Eleven, Family Dollar and ACE Cash Express stores nationwide, many of which are open 24/7. This is a tremendous service for those living in the 28 percent of American households who have limited or no access to bank accounts and who rely on cash as their main form of tender.

PayNearMe also works with municipalities and state agencies such as The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority and the State of Nebraska's Child Support Payment Center to make paying with cash for things like child support, utilities, and other local services as simple as paying with a check or credit card.

"Many of us take for granted the ease and convenience of transactions made possible by access to traditional financial institutions and digital payment tools," said Eaddy. "PayNearMe is focused on democratizing that convenience for consumers and communities that have traditionally been locked out of the growing digital economy. I am excited to join a team that is passionate about providing solutions that serve an oft-forgotten segment of our economy and our country."

As PayNearMe triples its payment volume growth from last year, Eaddy will help the company build partnerships with consumer groups, community leaders, and federal and state government organizations to ensure that the needs of the approximately 68 million un- and under-banked Americans are being considered in legislative decisions.

"Jotaka has been socially and politically active since she was 16," said Danny Shader, founder and CEO of PayNearMe. "Her personal dedication to community advocacy, coupled with 17 years of experience in building strategic partnerships at the local, state and federal level, makes her the perfect candidate to serve as PayNearMe's pulse and voice on key public policy and regulatory affairs affecting the banking and payment industries. We are ecstatic to have her join our team."

About PayNearMe
PayNearMe is the electronic cash transaction network that enables consumers to pay rent and utility bills, repay loans, buy tickets, make online purchases and do much more with cash. Consumers can conveniently make payments on their own schedule and in their own neighborhood in less than a minute at one of over 17,000 trusted locations including 7-Eleven®, Family Dollar® and ACE Cash Express® stores across the United States. For more information, please visit: http://www.PayNearMe.com.

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