COMPANY INFO
Empower Finance, Inc., commonly known as Empower, is a financial technology company founded in 2016 by Warren Hogarth and Justin Ammerlaan. Headquartered in San Francisco, California, Empower has around 35 employees and operates as a mobile-first automated financial services provider focused on improving American consumers' access to credit at reasonable rates. The company's website is empower.me. Empower offers products such as Empower Cash Advance, Empower Automatic Savings, and Empower Thrive line of credit, aiming to provide affordable credit and help users build credit history. (Tracxn, Empower About Us)
Empower Annuity Insurance Company of America is a leading financial services provider focused on retirement plans and annuities, serving millions of Americans from its headquarters in Greenwood Village, Colorado. With approximately 12,500 employees as of 2025, Empower delivers a wide range of financial products and solutions designed to help clients achieve financial security.
Empower's leadership team brings together decades of experience in financial services, technology, and global management. The diverse expertise of the Empower executives spans areas such as credit, investment, product innovation, operations, and technology—driving growth, adaptation, and long-term value for stakeholders. As the company continues to expand its offerings and cultivate new markets, the Empower management team emphasizes a forward-thinking, customer-centric approach.
Tim Phillips is the Chief Executive Officer and President as well as the Founder of Empower. Drawing on over 30 years of experience in the semiconductor and financial technology sectors, Tim has guided Empower through rapid scaling, profitability, and technological innovation in financial products. Under his leadership, Empower has pioneered credit products and digital services, as well as strategic expansions that elevate the company’s reputation and market reach.
Tim holds an MBA and BSEE from the University of Rhode Island. Before founding Empower, he served as VP of North America at Infineon, where he was responsible for $600M in sales, and previously launched the Enterprise Power business unit at International Rectifier, growing revenues by $150M annually. His extensive patent portfolio underscores his technical contribution and vision.
Trey Roessig is the Chief Technology Officer and Senior Vice President of Engineering at Empower. He oversees the engineering functions spanning analog, digital, power, and systems architecture, establishing Empower as a leader in technology-driven financial services. With over 25 US patents, Trey has led innovations in Empower’s credit and automated financial product offerings, ensuring that technology remains a differentiator in the market.
Trey holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from UC Berkeley. His prior roles include Founder at Integrated Micro Instruments (acquired by Analog Devices), Director of Engineering at Volterra Semiconductor, and General Manager at Analog Devices, where he drove notable product and business development in power management.
Kurt Redfield is the Chief Financial Officer of Empower, responsible for strategic financial management and operational efficiency. With more than 25 years of financial leadership experience, Kurt has been instrumental in raising over $300 million in venture capital and guiding Empower through multiple investment rounds, driving financial stability and sustainable growth.
Kurt earned his MBA from Columbia University and a BA in Philosophy from St. John’s College. Before joining Empower, he held senior CFO and COO positions at global high-tech firms, with experience spanning India, the UK, Germany, Switzerland, and France.
Gene Sheridan is the Chairman and one of the Founders of Empower. Bringing over 30 years of experience in power management and financial innovation, Gene provides strategic guidance to the board and executive team. He is also CEO of Navitas Semiconductor and has led successful exits such as BridgeCo, which achieved an impressive 80% market share.
Gene holds a BSEE from Clarkson University. He previously served as VP & GM at International Rectifier, managing business units with revenues exceeding $600 million, and created new high-growth enterprises within large corporate environments.
Sheng Ouyang leads sales, engineering, backend assembly, test, and investor relations for Empower. He has cultivated high-performance teams to drive the next era of financial and technology products tailored to the communications industry, ensuring Empower’s offerings meet evolving client needs.
Sheng received a Master of Engineering from Central South University. He has a strong background in sales leadership through prior experience at Power Integrations and fluency in both English and Mandarin, supporting Empower’s international operations and diverse clientele.
David Lidsky was a founder, serving as Senior Vice President of Engineering and Chief Technology Officer for over six years. He played a pivotal role building Empower’s technical foundation, driving early innovations before transitioning to a consulting capacity as Empower expanded.
David completed his MS and PhD in Electrical Engineering at UC Berkeley, and holds a BS from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. His expertise includes advanced power semiconductor design and executive management in tech-driven organizations.
Alexandre Antunes Bezerra is responsible for the design and development of advanced power delivery systems at Empower, including PCB and firmware for critical technology. He collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to optimize product performance, ensuring Empower’s leadership in controlled, efficient power systems.
Alexandre holds a BS in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the University of California, San Diego, and brings extensive experience in PCB, firmware, and power electronics development—supporting the engineering depth of Empower’s leadership.
Emdrem Tan serves as Executive Vice President at Advanced Energy Industries, with rich expertise in power and industrial technology. While not a direct member of Empower executives, his industry insights provide valuable context for neighboring leadership trends.
Emdrem holds an MBA from Brunel University and has held leadership roles at Amkor Technology, Texas Instruments, and Advanced Energy Industries, enriching his cross-functional executive management skills.
Lavanya G. specializes in switch-mode power management integrated circuits, supporting Empower’s product integrity through rigorous testing, customer demonstrations, and algorithmic enhancement.
Lavanya has an M.S. from Louisiana State University. Her industry background includes engineering roles at Dialog Semiconductor and Exar Corporation, underscoring her expertise in power management applications and product support.
Empower’s leadership structure is marked by a blend of technical innovation and business acumen, with several founders still directly involved in oversight and strategy. The company’s management team brings unique perspectives from global financial services, technology, and entrepreneurial ventures, ensuring resilient and adaptive strategy execution. This strong executive presence, combined with deep expertise in engineering, product development, and market expansion, keeps Empower at the forefront of the financial industry.
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