William “Rus” Weatherby is the founder and CEO of BackPocketCIO LLC, a consulting firm that provides contract negotiations, core conversion assistance, vendor assessments, and project oversight to community banks, credit unions, and fintech’s. Rus’ 30 years of experience has garnered expertise in IT management, strategic planning, project management, operations, banking, process improvement, regulatory evaluations, technology, and artificial intelligence.  Rus consistently succeeds in overseeing high-stakes projects, delivering significant cost savings, and creating operational efficiencies.

As a public speaker, Rus covers topics related to leadership, management, and the latest advancements in AI. Before creating BackPocketCIO LLC, Rus held several senior positions including interim-CEO, CIO, and a long-tenured leader of a financial institution recognized by Forbes magazine as the #1 Best Bank in the USA. Rus is alumni of GSBC EDI, has held multiple tech certifications, and is a former court-appointed forensic expert.

On the personal side of things, Rus enjoys life with his wife and spending time with their four daughters and two grandchildren. He values traveling and exploring different cultures, is an avid reader, and a professional musician who has performed for audiences ranging from 8 to 8,000.