Orange County Fintech Leader Featured in Forbes for Building One of America's Fastest-Growing Companies While Creating Award-Winning Workplace Culture
Fadi Cheikha, Founder and CEO of US Alliance Group, Inc., has been featured in Forbes in recognition of his remarkable journey from surviving the Lebanese Civil War to building a nationally recognized fintech ecosystem that has earned more than 30 industry awards and workplace honors over the past three decades.
The Forbes feature, titled "America's Entrepreneurial Leaders Are from Everywhere, Including Lebanon," highlights Cheikha's extraordinary path from immigrant to industry leader, and explores how his experiences growing up amid conflict shaped his approach to ethical leadership, innovation, and building a company culture centered on faith, generosity, and people-first values.
"Being on the Inc. 5000 list again is something I never could have imagined when I first came to the U.S. from Lebanon at 20 years old, chasing the American dream," said Cheikha. "To now be one of the fastest-growing companies in America feels incredible. We started as a small team with big dreams and a lot of faith, and every bit of this success comes from people who never gave up. We will keep growing, keep believing, and keep redefining what is possible in this industry and beyond."
A Childhood Defined by Survival and Determination
Born in Lebanon to a Lebanese father and Greek mother, Fadi Cheikha spent his formative years navigating one of the most dangerous periods in his homeland's history. Despite the chaos and instability, Cheikha remained committed to his education, studying Business Management and Economics at Beirut University College. By age 20, he had completed dual degrees, but Lebanon's path to recovery still seemed uncertain. Determined to build a better future, he applied for immigration to Australia, the United States, and Canada. When both the U.S. and Canada accepted his application while Australia declined, Cheikha made the pivotal decision that would change the trajectory of his life.
"I chose America," he said. "I left against my parents' initial wishes, but they gave me their blessing with a promise that has guided me ever since: to always respect the ground that feeds me and protect the flag that hovers over my head, wherever I live."
With just $2,000 in his pocket and a one-way ticket to the United States, Cheikha arrived on American soil ready to transform hardship into opportunity.
From Gas Station Attendant to Fintech Pioneer
Cheikha's early years in America were marked by determination and an unwavering work ethic. He started as a gas station attendant, then moved into furniture sales, where his natural business acumen quickly became apparent. Within a short time, he advanced to store manager, demonstrating the leadership qualities that would later define his career.
Recognizing greater potential in the financial services sector, Cheikha transitioned to a bank's sales team, where he didn't just succeed—he excelled, becoming the institution's top salesperson. It was during this period that he identified an emerging opportunity in the payments industry that most others had overlooked.
In the late 1990s, Cheikha and his wife, Kim, began selling ATMs, a nascent market at the time. Kim founded Electronic Cash Systems (ECS), which Fadi later took over as CEO. But Cheikha's vision extended far beyond automated teller machines. He recognized that the payments landscape was evolving rapidly, and businesses needed comprehensive solutions that could adapt to the digital transformation beginning to reshape commerce.
To expand beyond ATMs and create a more integrated approach to payment processing, Cheikha established US Alliance Group, Inc. as the parent company to ECS. What began as a small operation has evolved into a comprehensive payments enterprise specializing in credit and debit card processing, ACH payments, merchant cash advances, lending, point-of-sale technology, digital commerce tools, and secure processing systems.
Building a Diversified Fintech Powerhouse
Under Cheikha's leadership, US Alliance Group has achieved remarkable growth while maintaining the principles of ethical leadership and community impact that distinguish the company in a competitive industry. The company achieved 68.5% revenue growth over two years, positioning it among the fastest-growing companies in the fintech sector.
Beyond US Alliance Group, Fadi and Kim Cheikha founded Aiden Capital, an umbrella organization for a diversified portfolio spanning nonprofit initiatives, banking integrations, technology development, real estate, agriculture, and luxury automotive ventures. Through Aiden Capital and the Aiden Whisper Foundation, the Cheikhas have cemented their role as leaders in both business innovation and philanthropy.
"Aiden Whisper literally means 'God Whispers,'" Cheikha explains. "That small voice in your gut is God nudging you to notice the ways in which you can serve. When we respond to that nudge, we extend the invisible quality of God's hands. We believe generosity is simply seeing a need and doing something about it. We hope that when people experience a generous act, it becomes contagious. That is our goal: to create a culture of generosity and to strive to live more generously tomorrow than we did today."
An Unprecedented Record of Recognition and Growth
What truly sets US Alliance Group apart is not just its financial performance, but its consistency in earning recognition across multiple dimensions of business excellence over more than three decades. The company's track record speaks to sustained excellence rather than momentary success:
Company Growth and Industry Leadership:
- Inc. 5000 – America's Fastest-Growing Private Companies: 11 times (2003, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2018, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025)
- Orange County Business Journal Fastest-Growing Private Companies: 8 times (2009, 2010, 2011, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025)
Workplace Excellence:
- Inc. Best Workplaces: 3 times (2019, 2020, 2024)
- Orange County Register Top Workplaces: 6 consecutive years (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
- Orange County Business Journal Best Places to Work: 7 consecutive years (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025)
- Best Companies Group – Best Places to Work SoCal 2024: #6 ranking
Leadership and Community Impact:
- Ernst & Young – Entrepreneur of the Year: Top 11 Finalist (2021, 2022)
- Midwest Acquiring Association – Industry Achievement Award (2024)
- ETA Star Awards – Pay It Forward (2022)
- RSM/Coto De Caza Rotary – Ethics in Business (2025)
- Orange County Business Journal – Companies That Care (2021)
- Wnet (Paytech Women) – Diversity and Helping Hands (2022)
"The Inc. ranking is more than just a list, and a hard list to join at that. It's a testament to our dedication to ensuring our employees feel valued as part of our family," said Cheikha. "We carefully select our team based on their passion and commitment, knowing their dedication will drive our company's success. In return, we provide generous benefits and a supportive culture that show our deep appreciation for them, fostering a positive workplace environment and a healthy work-life balance."
The Power of People: Building for the Long Term
Perhaps the most telling indicator of US Alliance Group's culture is the extraordinary tenure of its team members. The average employee at the company has been with US Alliance Group for more than eight years! A remarkable statistic in any industry, but particularly notable in the fast-paced fintech sector.
"Over the last few decades, we've learned the importance of hiring people who are not just capable, but genuinely passionate about the work they do," Cheikha emphasized. "At the end of the day, a company's success comes from its people. Leaders set direction, but it's truly the people and the whole team that turns ideas into products and services that clients trust."
This commitment to his team reflects lessons learned throughout Cheikha's journey. When asked what he would do differently if given the chance, he points to the importance of matching talent with the right roles from the outset.
"Looking back, I would place greater emphasis earlier on aligning talent with the right roles," he reflected. "Over time, I've learned that when people are in positions that truly match their strengths, both the individual and the company thrive. I would also invest sooner in competitive compensation strategies to attract and retain top performers from the start."
"At US Alliance Group, we believe that true success begins with our people," Cheikha added. "Being recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in Orange County is a testament to the culture of care, growth, and well-being we've intentionally cultivated. Our employees bring passion and purpose to everything they do, and we're committed to supporting them not just as professionals, but as whole individuals. I couldn't be prouder of this team and what we're building together."
Recognition on a National Stage
Cheikha's influence extends beyond the business world. He was invited to the White House for his work at the intersection of finance, faith, and leadership. The invitation recognized his unique approach to building a values-driven company in a competitive, regulated, and trust-driven industry.
Vision for the Future
As US Alliance Group looks ahead, Cheikha remains focused on the principles that have driven the company's success: investing in people, maintaining ethical leadership, and continuing to innovate in the rapidly evolving fintech landscape.
"Our goal is to continue investing in our people and growing the business to twice the size it is today," Cheikha shared. "By putting resources into employee development and building on the culture we've created, we can scale in a way that lasts and creates more opportunities for everyone involved."
The company's integrated "one-stop-shop" model for payments, banking, and point-of-sale innovation positions US Alliance Group to continue leading in an industry increasingly defined by the need for comprehensive, secure, and user-friendly financial solutions.
Cheikha's perspective on leadership in fintech emphasizes the importance of balancing rapid innovation with corporate responsibility. A viewpoint shaped by his personal journey and commitment to ethical business practices.
"If your dreams don't scare you, you're not dreaming big enough," Cheikha often says, reflecting the audacious vision that has driven his journey from a war-torn childhood to building a nationally recognized fintech leader.
About US Alliance Group, Inc.
US Alliance Group, Inc. is a diversified fintech company headquartered in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, specializing in comprehensive payment solutions including credit and debit card processing, ACH payments, merchant cash advances, lending, and point-of-sale technology. Operating through brands including ECS Payments (Electronic Cash Systems) and Aiden Capital, the company serves businesses across multiple industries with innovative financial services and technology solutions. Founded on principles of faith, generosity, and ethical leadership, US Alliance Group has earned more than 30 industry awards and workplace recognitions, including 11 appearances on the Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest-growing private companies.
About Aiden Whisper Foundation
The Aiden Whisper Foundation, founded by Fadi and Kim Cheikha, embodies their commitment to creating a culture of generosity and community impact. The foundation supports various charitable initiatives aligned with the Cheikhas' belief that generosity means seeing a need and doing something about it.
For more information, visit www.usag-inc.com or www.ecspayments.com
Media Contact
Company Name: Ace PR Agency
Contact Person: Media Desk
Email: Send Email
Phone: +17162935090
Address:298 Main St
City: Buffalo
State: New York
Country: United States
Website: https://www.acepragency.com/
