Biography

Joe Motes joined Bread Financial in 2015, after nearly 20 years with leading law firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, where he was the partner and lead relationship manager for Bread Financial. At Akin Gump, Joe’s practice focused on mergers and acquisitions, capital markets transactions, and public company matters, including corporate governance and general corporate advice. He served as lead outside counsel on substantially all of Bread Financial’s material acquisitions, dispositions, and debt financings, including the company’s $2.3 billion acquisition of Conversant.

Joe was promoted to Chief Administrative Officer in June of 2019, where he oversees a number of the Company’s internal corporate functions and organizations in addition to his continuing responsibilities as general counsel and secretary. Joe holds a bachelor’s degree in geology from Trinity University and a JD from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, where he served as Editor-in-Chief of the SMU Law Review and graduated magna cum laude. He has served on various service-oriented nonprofit boards, donates pro bono service hours each year, and is an advocate for individuals with cognitive disabilities. As general counsel, Joe works closely with our board and executive leadership to develop and implement corporate governance “best practices,” with a focus on ESG and sustainability matters. He is a strong advocate for workplace diversity and an ethics-driven corporate culture, and the rights of individuals with cognitive disabilities. Away from the office, Joe enjoys spending time with his wife and their three children and is an avid live music fan.