Our Leadership

Sean Gilbert

Chief Technology Officer

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Sean Gilbert is an IT management professional with 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. He’s highly effective directing cross functional teams of technical experts to analyze systems and processes while delivering technology solutions that provide true business value to the Consortium.

Sean joined OTS 14 years ago and has held several leadership positions prior to becoming the Chief Technology Officer earlier this year. Over the years he’s demonstrated the ability to mobilize, align, and drive diverse teams to solve complex business issues by developing and leveraging people, processes and tools that improve efficiency, reduce cost, and promote long-term partnerships between business stakeholders.

He’s known for his expert level experience in data protection and availability solutions, disaster recovery solutions, and IT operations processes, procedures, and general controls. Sean is recognized as an insightful strategic leader with a passion for excellence who can deliver results.

Sean encourages career growth and motivates his team and managers with a curated selection of leadership, management, IT books and courses to challenge them throughout the year.

Prior to joining OTS Sean was an IT Director at Cardservice International and First Data. Sean is originally from Southern California, and he currently has a houseful of Akitas due to the addition of a pandemic puppy named Miko. She’s two years old and keeps him busy along with her older brothers Kona and Gizmo.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanagilbert/

Edgar Acosta

Chief Information Security Officer

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Edgar Acosta is a seasoned Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) with over 20 years of experience leading complex organizations across multiple industries throughout the public and private sectors. Having worked for Fortune 300 companies and the U.S. Air Force, he has a deep understanding of the challenges faced by large enterprises.

Engaging with key stakeholders, Edgar leverages a collaborative approach in creating organization-centric cybersecurity programs designed to enhance the resiliency of business operations in an ever-evolving threat landscape.

Edgar maintains currency on emerging technologies and cybersecurity trends through a combination of research, serving on advisory councils, and participating in summits throughout the year. His dedication to the cybersecurity community is exemplified by a commitment to aiding the development of the next generation of cybersecurity talent.

Edgar earned his Master of Business Administration degree from Colorado State University.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/edgar-b-acosta-jr/

Jeffrey Staw

Chief Innovation Officer

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Jeffrey loves everything Innovation and Digital Experience. He’s a true believer in the value of genuine relationships and team building interactions – every idea can lead to something great!

Having been a multiple venture entrepreneur and business builder, OTS was a new challenge, especially since it was all the way across the country from his long-time home in New England. Jeffrey is driven by the satisfaction of serving Team Members, Credit Union Partners and 1 million+ Members to create truly next generation financial services products in the digital space. Prior to OTS, Jeffrey pioneered the MarTech industry where he brought unprecedented scale to online advertising operations.

Jeffrey is active in the credit union community serving on the Executive Committee of the CUNA Technology Council, as an Advisory Board Member for the GWUCUI, and a member of Filene’s i3 Innovation Program.

Jeffrey graduated from Tufts University with an undergraduate degree in Engineering Psychology (that’s what we used to call Experience and Interface Design). He graduated with honors from the Boston University Graduate School of Management dual degree program with an MBA and Master of Information Systems. He is also a major league Mets fan, having named two kids after the team, and a lover of camping, skiing, and all the best of his newfound favorite place of Colorado with his wife and two kids.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreystaw/

Paula Telck

Director of Finance

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Paula Telck joined Open Technology Solutions in December 2017. She brings over 25 years of experience in Finance, banking and accounting experience to her role as OTS’s Director of Finance. In her current role, Paula is part of OTS’s executive team and plays a key role in financial reporting, developing and executing OTS’s annual budget and working closely with management for cost management and containment. It may be easy to stereotype (and your eyes may have even glazed over) with all this speak of corporate finance but deep in Paula’s heart lies the soul of a biker – Mountain Biker! Mountain biking requires quick actions and reactions, and mental and physical stamina. Ultimately, it keeps her focused, grounded and is an endless challenge, just like her day job, which is why she loves and seeks to be immersed in both.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulatelck/

Matt Dobeck

Director of Data Center Architecture

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Matt Dobeck is the Director of Data Center Architecture at OTS. He has been with OTS for over 12 years and brings over 20 years of experience in the technology industry to our team. His strengths lie in designing and delivering comprehensive and continuously available infrastructure solutions.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-dobeck-2716811/

Gary Held

Sr. Director of Human Resources

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Gary Held is the self-proclaimed resident knucklehead of OTS; recently learned the meaning of LOL as well as the purpose of an app. Gary takes pride and pleasure in serving our Team Members in 14 states; they are the ones serving 3 credit unions and over 1,000,000 every-day folks who work hard to put a roof over their heads, send their kids to college and save for retirement. Gary grew up in Northern Virginia and spent countless hours trying to catch SF Giant games on static-filled radio with his Dad. He attended William & Mary (that is one school—not two), majored in philosophy, which is difficult to flunk. Later, he obtained his MBA at George Washington University, which he took more seriously and it was also difficult to flunk. Gary has been part of Human Resources for 30-ish years as well as white water raft guide for 9 seasons. He took a one year sabbatical to hang out with chimps in Congo Brazzaville where he learned Lingala. He met his wife in a climbing gym and later proposed to her in a gorilla suit. Gary loves hiking with dogs, eating with dogs, yoga with dogs and doing almost anything with dogs. He is also a big fan of his dogs as well as people who make commitments, meet those commitments and subscribe to the OTS Culture Code.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-h-5835435/

Doug Kearbey

Director of Information Security, Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC)

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Doug Kearbey brings more than 30 years of successful credit union and information security experience. His knowledge of financial services, audit management, digital banking, administration, and project management provides a diverse set of skills from which to drive on-going success.

Beginning his corporate journey with Bellco Credit Union, Doug has worked in various director and executive level roles throughout his long career. His desire to implement and achieve lasting success has garnered ongoing and varied leadership opportunities.

Doug earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Northern Colorado where he focused on Computer Information Systems. Recently, he completed studies at Western CUNA Management School graduating with honors. He is passionate about blending systems, methods, and processes to generate and realize true workplace transformation.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-douglas-kearbey-17741325a/

Lori Pedersen

Senior Director of Strategic Delivery

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Lori Pedersen, Senior Director of Strategic Delivery, brings a background with a variety of IT roles and industries. She started her career in the financial services industry at UNIPAC/Nelnet as an old-school COBOL mainframe application developer before transitioning to project, process and people leadership roles. More recently Lori has led global PMO teams in the technology industry including Wipro and Hitachi Vantara.  Lori joined Open Technology Solutions in January 2022 as the Director of Strategic Planning. She has taken on leadership of the OTS Project Management Office and served as the project sponsor for the implementation of the new consortium CRM solution – MemberConnect.  In February 2023, Lori was promoted to Senior Director of Strategic Delivery with responsibility for interfacing with the Consortium Executive Committee (CEC) for project delivery related topics.

Lori has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Computer Science from the University of Iowa. Outside of work, Lori is a passionate theatre lover, supporting many local theatre companies in addition to as many Broadway trips as time and finances permit.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/loriapedersen/

Chris Riggle

Director of Voice and Collaboration

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Chris Riggle comes to OTS with more than 20 years in the Contact Center and Financial Services verticals. Chris also brings experience from multiple vendors related to Customer Experience platforms such as Genesys, inContact, and Five9. Experience on both the customer and vendor sides allows Chris to bridge the gap that often exists between business requirements and technology solutions. Helping customers realize their Customer Experience journeys and delivering on the needs of the customer has been Chris’ focus for multiple large financial institutions over the past two decades. Chris earned his Masters in Information Technology Management and holds a BS in Business from West Liberty University. Chris is a 20+ year resident of Colorado and enjoys all that it has to offer related to golf, camping, and several other outdoor activities with his wife and kids.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisriggle/

Rob Wright

Director of Applications

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Rob Wright brings more than 35 years of experience in the Financial Industry providing IT services and support to credit union members. He started his career working in a credit union data center. He has held various positions ranging from Computer Operator to IT Manager bringing technology and software solutions to the credit union membership. He joined Open Technology Solutions in 2008 as a Senior Application Support Specialist. He now oversees Application Support and Development, Automation Support and Development, and Business Technology Operations.

Rob holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology from Metropolitan State College. In his free time, he enjoys camping and fishing with his wife and kids

Shawn Burk

Director of IT Infrastructure Operations

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Shawn Burk brings extensive experience across a wide variety of industries to his role as Director of IT Infrastructure Operations at Open Technology Solutions, including IT Managed Services, Software as a Service (SaaS), and State, Local, and Education (SLED). Shawn previously served as the Senior Manager of IT Infrastructure and Security at the E-470 Public Highway Authority, Shawn is known for cultivating collaboration, fostering growth, and instilling a sense of ownership among teams.

Committed to meaningful work, Shawn engages teams in strategic planning and goal setting, instilling purpose and dedication. He champions a balanced approach to disciplined innovation and operational excellence while nurturing talent for long-term success.

Residing in Castle Rock, Colorado, with his wife and son, Shawn enjoys all types of auto racing and cherishes moments with his family, including traveling, watching movies, or attending sporting events including Rockies baseball.

Shawn Burk | LinkedIn

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