Sam Schmitz
About Sam Schmitz
Sam Schmitz serves as the Head of Payments at Circle, bringing extensive experience in product management and user-centric design. He has previously held key roles at companies such as SamCart, ForeFlight, and MyFlightSolutions, and holds a Bachelor of Science and an MBA from Liberty University.
Current Role at Circle.so
Sam Schmitz serves as the Head of Payments at Circle, a position he has held since 2024. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing payment systems and strategies, ensuring efficient transaction processes, and enhancing user experience in financial operations. His focus on user-centric design aligns with Circle's commitment to providing seamless payment solutions.
Professional Experience in Product Management
Sam Schmitz has extensive experience in product management, having worked in various capacities at SamCart. He served as Manager of Product from 2020 to 2022 and later as Principal Product Manager for Checkout and Payments from 2022 to 2024. His roles involved managing product lifecycles, implementing user feedback, and driving product innovation. He also held positions at ForeFlight and MyFlightSolutions LLC, where he further developed his expertise in product strategy and user engagement.
Education and Expertise
Sam Schmitz holds a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics: Commercial/Corporate from Liberty University, which he completed from 2010 to 2014. He also earned a Master of Business Administration with a focus on Project Management from the same institution between 2014 and 2016. His educational background equips him with a solid foundation in both technical and managerial aspects of product development.
Previous Roles and Responsibilities
Prior to his current role at Circle, Sam Schmitz accumulated diverse experience across several organizations. He worked as an Assistant Terminal Manager and Project Manager at Sheetz, an Operations Lead at Liberty University, and a Senior Academic Advisor at Liberty University Online Programs. These positions allowed him to develop skills in operations management, customer service, and project execution.
Approach to Product Leadership
Sam Schmitz emphasizes the importance of understanding customer needs and solving problems effectively as a product leader. He advocates for a process that includes rapid iteration, frequent shipping of products, and the ability to make tough decisions, such as knowing when to decline certain features. His approach reflects a commitment to delivering transformational products that meet user demands.