PHOENIX -

BillingTree Payment Solutions appointed a new chief executive officer and president on Tuesday, going with a former top exec at FICO.

Tapped for the role was Edgars “Edz” Sturans, who previously was president of CR Software — now a part of FICO — where he transformed the company into an accounts receivables management (ARM) Industry leader. CR Software expanded from 22 employees to more than 110 employees in seven years, and Sturans orchestrated the sale in 2012 to FICO.

At FICO, Sturans served as vice president of global product services, responsible for the company's field leading application and tools products.

As BillingTree’s new CEO and president, Sturans is chartered with leading the company through its next major expansion including furthering electronic payment adoption and technology within ARM, auto finance, healthcare and complementary verticals. He will oversee the strategic direction of BillingTree, be active in day-to-day operations of the company and provide oversight on all key initiatives.

"I am delighted to join BillingTree, especially after working so closely with the company over the years servicing the highly regulated yet rewarding industry of ARM,” Sturans said.

“I am excited to now be focused on the payments services, solutions and innovations our current and future customers desire, and look forward to expanding on BillingTree's advanced payment technology to perpetuate the company's outstanding record of success,” he continued.

BillingTree chairman of the board Scott McCollum explained why the company went with Sturans as its new leader.

“Everyone at BillingTree is looking forward to working with Edz and I am delighted to announce his appointment,” McCollum said.

“When we started our search for a new CEO we knew we wanted someone who would champion our culture, someone who was well respected and well-connected in the ARM industry, and someone who was extremely well versed in technology and product development. We have worked with Edz over the years and he fits these three qualities perfectly,” McCollum went on to say.