In the payments world – where fees, fine print, and unexpected rate hikes seem to lurk around every corner – business owners often feel like they’re navigating a maze without a map. That’s precisely why Gary Williams launched Ascension Consulting in June 2023: to bring transparency, strategy, and genuine advocacy back into an industry where those qualities can feel in short supply.
Ascension Consulting operates as an independent merchant services consultancy – not a processor, not a sales agent for a single company, and not a rep working on commission for one system or platform. Instead, Gary serves as what he calls a client’s Fractional Chief Merchant Services Officer (F-CMSO). In simple terms, it means business owners get an expert on their side whose only loyalty is to them, not to a provider.
“We’re not tied to any one processor,” says Gary. “That independence allows us to prioritize what’s best for the business, not what’s best for a processor.”
For many business owners, merchant services can feel like a black box. Statements are hard to read. Rates seem arbitrary. Contracts contain fees nobody remembers agreeing to. Ascension steps in with detailed, private cost analyses and proprietary statement audits that break everything down into clear, actionable insights. The goal? Reduce costs, eliminate financial and contractual liabilities, and streamline payments so owners can focus on running their business – not decoding their processor’s paperwork.
Just as important as the analytics is the ongoing support. Gary doesn’t simply make recommendations and disappear. He represents clients with processors, handles account management, and continually monitors for changes that could impact cost or efficiency. “We see ourselves as an extension of each client’s team,” he says. “Ongoing cost savings and time efficiency are the heartbeat of what we do.”
While expertise is essential, the true differentiator behind Ascension Consulting is the spirit in which the work is delivered. Gary is quick to point out that altruism and empathy sit at the foundation of every decision he makes. “In an industry often notorious for obscurity and exploitation, we lead with listening, transparency, and genuine care,” he says.
Ascension’s logo – the Ohm symbol – is a reflection of the company’s core principles: balance, integrity, and intention. Those themes run through every client engagement, but they also carry into Gary’s own personal commitment to community. He participates in quarterly donation-raising efforts for The Wounded Warrior Project and completes Virtual “Pay It Forward” 5Ks throughout the year because “integrating philanthropy into our culture allows us to have meaningful impact far beyond consulting.”
Gary’s journey to founding Ascension spans more than 25 years in professional sales. His deep background in technology and payments, paired with his relationship-driven approach, ultimately shaped his vision for Ascension. Before launching his company, Gary served as a Senior Technology Sales Executive for an accounting systems integrator and payment processor – now one of Ascension’s top enterprise-class partners.
Outside the office, Gary brings the same passion for living intentionally to his personal life. He’s an enthusiastic cook, a fitness and mindfulness devotee, a movie lover, an eclectic music fan, and a new Harley-Davidson rider who finds equal joy in the thrill of speed and the Zen of the open road.
At the center of it all is connection. “Whether in business or in my personal world, I value interactions where people feel comfortable, authentic, and able to share a smile,” Gary says. “Laughter, connection, and humility are as important to me as strategy, ethics, ambition, and achievement.”
For business owners seeking clarity – not confusion – in their merchant services, Ascension Consulting delivers exactly that: honest guidance, ethical advocacy, and a trusted partner committed to helping them thrive.
