ACI Worldwide Taps Red Hat Executive as New CFO; Reaffirms Strong Growth Outlook

Executive Leadership Shake-Up

US-based payments technology firm ACI Worldwide just made a significant leadership move, appointing Robert Leibrock as its new Chief Financial Officer effective July 1. Leibrock is taking over from Scott Behrens, who’s calling it a career after nearly 20 years steering the company’s financial operations. The transition marks a strategic pivot toward leveraging cloud and SaaS expertise at a critical growth phase.

Who’s the New Face?

Leibrock brings serious firepower to the role. He’s joining ACI from Red Hat, Inc., where he currently holds the titles of Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and CFO—a rare triple crown that speaks volumes about his operational chops. Before his Red Hat tenure (which started in 2022), he spent roughly two decades at IBM holding senior positions across both finance and software divisions. This background in navigating complex, global business environments, particularly in cloud infrastructure and subscription-based models, is exactly what ACI is betting on.

Financial Targets Stay on Track

Meanwhile, the firm isn’t losing focus on execution. ACI Worldwide reaffirmed its financial guidance for Q2 and fiscal year 2025, projecting 7% to 9% growth compared to 2024 on an FX-adjusted basis. These targets align with the company’s long-term growth strategy, suggesting management confidence despite broader market uncertainties.

What This Means

CEO Thomas Warsop emphasized that Leibrock’s proven track record in managing finance organizations within global, complex settings—especially those riding the cloud and SaaS waves—positions the company well to maintain financial discipline while scaling operations. For investors watching ACI Worldwide, this leadership combination signals the company isn’t just maintaining momentum; it’s gearing up for a growth acceleration phase.