# Scott Riley

> Scott Riley is a Tampa Bay entrepreneur, former Fintech CEO and founder of the Riley Education Foundation. After a career in advertising and media, he joined Fintech’s ownership group in 1996 and led the alcohol payments business as CEO from 2005 to 2018. His work with University of South Florida students helped develop its data capabilities. He later focused on educational opportunities and wrote Zero to 30 Billion! with Dave Scheiber.

- **Role:** Founder at Riley Education Foundation
- **Organizations:** Riley Education Foundation, Financial Information Technologies (Fintech), Parker Communications Network, Inc., In Store Media, University of South Florida, Cristo Rey Tampa
- **Education:** Mass communications and organizational psychology; described as a degree in USF’s 2018 profile, University of South Florida, University of Tampa, Largo High School
- **Known for:** Led Fintech as CEO from 2005 to 2018., Helped develop Fintech’s data business through collaboration with USF students., Recognized as Florida Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young, according to his foundation biography.

## Career timeline

- **—** — Sold sand dollars to tourists on Indian Rocks Beach; later attended Largo High School and the University of Tampa on a football scholarship.
- **—** — Served three years in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam conflict and returned to attend USF.
- **—** — Built and sold an advertising agency; co-founded Parker Communications Network and In Store Media and helped establish the GTE St. Pete Grand Prix.
- **1996** — Joined the Fintech ownership group.
- **2005** — Became CEO of Fintech.
- **2008** — Began sponsoring USF’s student business plan competition.
- **2013** — USF reported that student data work had helped Fintech develop a product for tracking alcohol sales.
- **2018** — Sold the majority of his stock to TA Associates and stepped down as CEO to focus on Tampa Bay and education.
- **2019** — Published Zero to 30 Billion!: Commonsense Lessons From the Life of Riley with Dave Scheiber.
- **2026** — Featured in the inaugural Momentum Partners Exchange founder conversation in Tampa on September 15.

## Achievements

- Led Fintech as CEO from 2005 to 2018.
- Helped develop Fintech’s data business through collaboration with USF students.
- Recognized as Florida Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young, according to his foundation biography.
- Named Outstanding Leader of the Year by the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce.
- Founded the Riley Education Foundation with his family.
- Chaired the feasibility committee that helped bring Cristo Rey to Tampa, according to his foundation biography.
- Co-authored Zero to 30 Billion! with Dave Scheiber.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — Spoke at the inaugural Momentum Partners Exchange event at Tampa’s Centre Club on September 15; the October 5 Business Observer report described an unscripted discussion and 74 attendees.

## Links

- Website: https://www.rileyeducationfoundation.org/scott-riley

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/scott-riley
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-15