The accomplished author of “Beyond Plastic: Trends in the Payment Card Industry,” CEO Michael Brooks brings to TM&S a wealth of experience in payment processing, marketing, development and sales.

Prior to forming TM&S, Michael served as vice president of business development for Commerce Planet, Inc. (CPNE), an internet sales organization of high-volume, subscription-based programs. At CPNE, he built subscription sales applications and acquired merchant processing accounts, generating monthly revenues in excess of $3 million.

Previous to his time at CPNE, Michael co-founded the Berman Investment Group, LLC, which marketed wealth-building products. As vice president at Berman, he developed product and information technology, driving monthly sales to top $2 million. Michael also led Berman’s marketing campaigns in radio, television, print and direct mail mediums, further propelling the company’s success.

Michael additionally partnered with his Berman associates to co-found Merchant Processing International, Inc. (MPI), a cutting-edge electronic payment processing company registered by VISA/MasterCard for the $30-billion-a-year processor TransFirst Merchant Services of Columbus Bank & Trust. MPI provided electronic payment processing for Berman Investment Group, and with Michael at the helm, marketing primarily to small ticket retail merchant accounts and developing referral programs, the company’s monthly sales exploded to $250,000 within six months.

Michael’s marketing and media acumen can be traced to his long tenure as an associate producer of the nationally syndicated radio program, “The Tom Leykis Show,” and his role as a media representative for Macanudo Cigars. During his time with Macanudo, Michael appeared in several local and national magazines and on television programs while completing a 35-state marketing tour.