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Four Jacksonville University alumni were key players in the recent initial public offering of Black Knight Financial Services Inc. (BKFS), formerly known as Lender Processing Services (LPS).
Black Knight was purchased by Fidelity National Financial in 2013 and has been gearing up to become a publicly traded company. The initial public offering of more than 20 million shares valued at about $479.3 million closed May 26.
Notable JU Davis College of Business alumni who attended the Opening Bell of the New York Stock Exchange June 1 to mark the Black Knight IPO include Tom Peterson (EMBA ’06), Chief of Staff; Joseph Nackashi (EMBA ’07), Chief Information Officer and President of Servicing Technologies Division; Shelley Leonard (EMBA ’08), Executive Vice President of Enterprise Product Strategy; and Bryan Hipsher (BBA ’05 & MBA ’07), Senior Vice President of Finance. Peterson also serves on the Davis College of Business Executive Advisory Board.
“Black Knight and the DCOB have had a longstanding, mutually beneficial relationship,” said Dr. Don Capener, Dean of the DCOB. “I congratulate the JU alumni involved with Black Knight for their successful IPO.”
Information on Black Knight and the JU alums involved is below.
About Black Knight Financial Services, Inc.
Black Knight Financial Services (NYSE:BKFS), a Fidelity National Financial (NYSE:FNF) company, is the mortgage and finance industries’ leading provider of integrated technology, data and analytics solutions that facilitate and automate many of the business processes across the mortgage lifecycle. BKFS is committed to being the premier business partner that lenders and servicers rely on to achieve their strategic goals, realize greater success and better serve their customers by delivering best-in-class technology, services and insight with a relentless commitment to excellence, innovation, integrity and leadership.
JU Alumni Information
Bryan Hipsher is Senior Vice President of Finance for Black Knight Financial Services. He serves as the primary finance liaison for its business and is responsible for operational accounting, financial planning and analysis and corporate development. Prior to joining Black Knight Financial Services, Bryan was the Senior Vice President of Finance for Lender Processing Services (LPS), the nation’s leading provider of mortgage processing services, settlement services, mortgage performance analytics and outsourcing services for financial institutions, mortgage companies and real estate professionals. Prior to LPS, Bryan served in various financial roles of increasing responsibility at FIS and Fidelity National Financial (FNF). Bryan earned his BBA in finance and MBA from Jacksonville University.
Shelley Leonard is the Executive Vice President of Enterprise Product Strategy for Black Knight Financial Services and is responsible for defining product strategy and working with each division to develop a product strategy roadmap across the enterprise. Prior to assuming this position, Shelley was Executive Vice President and Managing Director of LoanSphere Business Strategy for Black Knight’s Servicing Technologies division, where she was responsible for identifying and developing the business strategies for workflow-based solutions to support servicing and default clients’ needs. Shelley, who has been with Black Knight and its predecessor companies since 1993, has had responsibility for managing strategic customer relationships across multiple divisions of the company. She has also served as the Director of Business Architecture within the Chief Technology Office. Shelley holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Tulsa and an Executive MBA from Jacksonville University. She is currently involved in numerous professional and philanthropic organizations, including the Mortgage Bankers Association, the Consumer Bankers Association, United Way of Northeast Florida-Women in Local Leadership and the MaliVai Washington Kids Foundation.
Joe Nackashi is CIO and President of the Servicing Technologies division for Black Knight Financial Services. Joe has more than 22 years’ experience providing innovative technology solutions to the financial services industry. Previously, Joe was Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Lender Processing Services (LPS), where he was responsible for information technology strategy and management of the company’s IT assets. Prior to LPS, Joe was Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer for FIS, the world’s largest global provider dedicated to banking and payments technologies. He worked for LPS and FIS’ predecessor companies since 1986. Joe earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Belmont Abbey College and an Executive MBA. from Jacksonville University. He currently serves on the Board of Advisors for the Center for Supply Chain Management at the University of Florida’s Warrington College of Business Administration. Joe was also elected to the IT Florida Board, which furthers the development of the information technology profession and professionals in Florida.
Tom Peterson is Chief of Staff for Black Knight Financial Services. As Chief of Staff, Tom works closely with the company’s CEO and provides executive-level support for a multitude of strategic initiatives. Tom is also responsible for sales management operations, which includes strategic planning and account management and reporting. Before moving into the role as Chief of Staff, Tom served as Senior Vice President for Lender Processing Services’ (LPS) Office of the Enterprise, where he was responsible for sales strategy and account management, focused on the company’s top 50 clients. Prior to joining LPS, Tom served as Senior Vice President, Operations and Support at Fidelity National Information Systems (FIS). Tom is a 25-year veteran of the U.S. Navy Reserves, retiring as a Captain in 2010. He has served as a Commanding or Executive Officer of numerous units and has received numerous medals for his service. Tom earned his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from Iowa State University. He also has an Executive MBA from Jacksonville University. He currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Jacksonville University Davis College of Business.