Ryan Bates, Chief Executive Officer
Ryan Bates is a seasoned leader in the POS and payments space, with a career that began in 2012. At POS Nation, he played a key role in the company’s transformation—from a modest team of 10 to a dynamic organization of over 100 employees—eventually rising to lead the merchant services team as VP of Merchant Services.
Ryan’s passion lies in empowering small businesses by providing them with the tools and insights they need to succeed. With the rapid development of AI, he is now more committed than ever to ensuring that these businesses are not left behind in today’s fast-paced technological landscape.
Having previously collaborated with Crystal Deese, Ryan recognized that their shared drive and work ethic would make them the perfect team to embark on this exciting journey together.
Crystal Deese, Chief Operating Officer
With extensive experience in the payments industry, Crystal drives innovation and growth. Her journey began in 2007 when a client, the CEO of Access Payment Solutions, offered her a role as a Partner Relationship Manager. After Access closed in 2009, she joined Priority Payment Systems, excelling as a Relationship Manager focused on onboarding and training partners until 2013.
Following a maternity leave, Crystal returned to the payments industry in 2021 as a Senior Partner Experience Manager at Bold Integrated Solutions, where she enhanced the Partner Onboarding Experience. After three impactful years and navigating a merger, she co-founded Trailblaze Integrated Solutions with Ryan Bates, aiming to revolutionize the payments landscape with AI-driven solutions for small businesses.
At Trailblaze Integrated Solutions, we believe that small businesses deserve cutting-edge technology to compete in an ever-evolving market. Our AI-powered POS and payment solutions simplify transactions, enhance security, and optimize operations—helping businesses grow smarter, faster, and more efficiently.
We are on a mission to revolutionize the payments and point-of-sale industry by integrating AI-driven automation, fraud protection, and customer engagement tools. Our vision is to empower businesses with intelligent technology that not only streamlines payments but also drives profitability and efficiency.
Trailblaze Integrated Solutions was founded with a clear purpose: to bridge the gap between AI innovation and small business success. With extensive expertise in fintech, point of sale, and payment processing, our team saw an opportunity to create smarter, scalable solutions tailored to the unique challenges faced by restaurant businesses.
From AI-powered inventory tracking to automated chargeback resolution, we leverage the latest advancements in technology to help businesses thrive in an increasingly digital world.
AI-Powered Security & Automation
Protect your transactions with AI-driven fraud detection and automated dispute resolution for chargebacks.
Lower Transaction Costs
Enjoy competitive payment processing rates, including dual pricing options to reduce fees and increase profits.
Scalable & Customizable Solutions
Whether you run a small shop or a multi-location enterprise, our platform adapts to your business needs and grows with you.
Smarter Customer Engagement
Leverage AI-driven marketing, loyalty programs, and dynamic pricing strategies to enhance customer retention and boost sales.
Discover how AI-driven payments and POS solutions can transform your business. Let’s build a smarter, more profitable future together.