SurgePays Elevates Derron Winfrey to Expand Sales and Operations Leadership

SurgePays Promotes Derron Winfrey

SurgePays, Inc., a prominent player in the wireless telecommunications and technology sector, has appointed Derron Winfrey as the new President of Sales and Operations. This strategic move, announced on April 23, 2025, aims to propel the company’s growth initiatives within its core service offerings—particularly its prepaid wireless service, LinkUp Mobile, and associated financial services.

Winfrey's Role and Responsibilities

In his new capacity, Winfrey will manage SurgePays' ever-expanding sales organization, which is vital as the company seeks to amplify its market presence. His responsibilities include orchestrating the operational development of SurgePays' nascent sales center located in El Salvador. Given his extensive experience in the fintech and wireless domains, Winfrey's oversight will facilitate the enhancement of customer engagement and onboarding processes, underpinned by data intelligence.

Winfrey's career spans over 25 years, with deep roots in the telecommunications industry that began when he founded ECS Prepaid—which SurgePays acquired in 2019. Since then, he has been a pivotal figure in reshaping SurgePays’ market strategy, notably by developing a robust prepaid business platform and expanding key distribution channels. As he shifts his focus toward direct operational leadership, the company expects a boost in market intake, with the upcoming soft launch of the LinkUp Mobile MVNO and various federal Lifeline service initiatives.

Winfrey's Leadership Philosophy

Derron Winfrey’s guiding principle is rooted in fostering high-performance teams. He emphasizes the importance of supporting employees: "It's critical to take care of the people who take care of the people. Our team is highly motivated, and we anticipate significant results moving forward."

Reflecting his commitment to operational excellence, Winfrey adds, "We’re prepared to expand our market share with multiple product lines concurrently. We have cultivated an exceptional team, and I am eager to see how they perform as we enter the market with our offerings."

Background and Achievements

Before his tenure at SurgePays, Winfrey led Electronic Check Services (ECS), where he provided comprehensive check processing solutions for merchants and channel partners. He reshaped ECS Prepaid to become a leader in providing services like cellular phone reloads, which broadened its operational scope significantly.

Winfrey is well-regarded for his innovative impact on the industry. Under his leadership, ECS Prepaid received accolades, including a ranking for the fastest-growing companies in North America by Inc. Magazine. Moreover, he has been actively involved with the Petroleum Marketers Advisory Council, shaping market concepts for convenience stores across the Midwest.

Raising entrepreneurial spirits, Winfrey has been recognized as a top business person by local publications and is honored in lists celebrating influential young professionals.

Personal Insights

Originally from Oklahoma City, Winfrey graduated from Wichita State University with a degree in communications. He resides in Springfield, Missouri, with his wife, Paula, and enjoys spending time with their children and grandchildren, along with his passion for cheering on the Kansas State University football team.

For continued updates on SurgePays and its innovative strategies, interested parties can visit the company’s investor relations website at ir.surgepays.com. As the company evolves under Winfrey's leadership, it is poised to make substantial strides in the telecommunications landscape and beyond.