Tech People in the Know: ParaScript’s Hondo Katz

In what is a recurring feature, Finopotamus profiles interesting and intriguing tech professionals who are positively impacting the credit union industry.

For this issue, we visited with ParaScript’s COO Hondo Katz. The Boulder, Colo.-based fintech bills itself as an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered document processing company, which processes large volumes of documents with high speed and accuracy.

By W.B. King

Getting his professional start in tech via media and telecom gigs 10 years ago, Hondo Katz said his interest in the space began at a much younger age. “I was drawn to the industry early on because my grandfather spent more than 35 years as a technology investor and was both a mentor and a major influence,” he told Finopotamus. “At its core, tech is about building, advancing and moving things ahead, and that sense of momentum and purpose is what continues to motivate me.”

Hondo Katz

Earning an undergraduate degree in political science and economics from Colgate University and a master’s in business administration from the NYU Stern School of Business, he worked at McKinsey & Company as an implementation and strategy associate before joining the ParaScript’s board of directors in 2000. Four years later, he was named COO.

“The biggest change is speed, especially with the rapid advancement of AI over the past few years,” he shared about the changes he has seen professionally. “Early in my career, the focus was on building systems. Today, AI models can handle much of that work, which has pushed technologists to think more strategically.”

For tech departments, he added that the focus has shifted from “how” to build to whether there are real needs and clear values. “Technology leaders are also managing far more inputs at a much faster pace,” he noted. “Strong leadership today requires the ability to prioritize, make decisions quickly and keep the broader mission in focus.”

Mission-Critical Focus

When it comes to helping manage the company’s 40 employees, Katz said his style is rooted in problem-solving and leading by example. “I believe in being in the trenches with the team rather than managing from the top down, and I prefer a flat structure that encourages open dialogue and stronger decision-making,” he shared.

“I also draw from my experience as a pilot, which has taught me the importance of prioritization, adaptability and focusing on what is mission-critical,” he added. Along with earning his instrument pilot license from the Federal Aviation Administration, he is an advanced open water scuba diver (PADI) who has also been an event coordinator for the Special Olympics for nearly 20 years.

When Katz looks for guidance, his biggest professional mentor has been ParaScript CEO Emiliano Giacchetti. After Katz graduated from college, they began working together in different capacities.

“He showed me the joy of turnaround and process management, encouraged me to pursue further education to advance my career and guided me toward opportunities like McKinsey,” he shared. “His mentorship was never transactional; he genuinely cared about me as a person. I try to pay that forward by listening to where others want to go and helping them grow, supporting them not just professionally but as people.”

Protecting Members

While the rapid growth of AI thrills Katz, he has growing concerns around related fraud, especially those cases that have directly impacted family and friends—some of whom have had checks stolen or compromised.

“What excites me most is tackling the explosion of AI-driven fraud,” he noted. “While fraudsters’ tools are becoming more sophisticated, ParaScript’s engine is even more capable, and I’m excited about our ability to help protect financial institutions and their customers.”

It is the credit union industry’s approach to putting people first that has long impressed Katz. “They build strong, lasting relationships and are very in tune with the needs of the people they serve. That said, when it comes to technology, particularly fraud prevention tools, many credit unions do not have the resources to build solutions in-house.”

Since ParaScript sells its solutions through providers like Jack Henry and Fiserv, he said it is hard to calculate the number of credit union clients. The company’s goal, he offered, is to make advanced fraud detection tools affordable and accessible, allowing credit unions to implement effective protections that keep their members safe.

“It’s important for credit unions to partner with fintechs that share their values, particularly around protecting members. That alignment leads to stronger collaboration and better outcomes,” he continued. “We take a consultative approach, helping their teams adopt best practices, while equipping them with tools that make member protection easier and more effective.”