PRINCETON, TX, May 22, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Leland B. Francis has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Mr. Francis has established a distinguished career marked by innovation, technical mastery and entrepreneurial spirit. Since 2005, he has served as the owner of Ready Set Rent LLC, where he manages two rental properties and oversees maintenance coordination through a property manager. His responsibilities include evaluating opportunities for expansion into Airbnb rental operations and generating additional income streams through property rentals. His forward-thinking approach continues to drive the growth of his business as he explores new avenues for increasing revenue while maintaining operational excellence.

Prior to his current role, Mr. Francis was a software engineer at AMX from 2002 to 2003. In this capacity, he contributed to the development and refinement of advanced software solutions, leveraging his expertise in programming at the chip level—a skill achieved by only a select group of professionals in the field. His technical acumen and problem-solving abilities were instrumental in supporting the company's technological advancements.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Francis held the position of software engineer at I-Net, where he further honed his programming skills and deepened his understanding of complex systems integration. His tenure at Tidel in the early to mid-1990s stands out as a defining period. Tasked with rescuing the company from bankruptcy following its acquisition by a Saudi bank, Mr. Francis was challenged to develop a groundbreaking product within two weeks that could secure the future of Tidel and its 264 employees. He conceived and implemented the innovative concept of installing low-cost ATMs in convenience stores using only a 1200 baud dial-up line—an idea considered impossible by industry experts at the time, as ATMs previously operated exclusively on dedicated phone lines within banks. Despite skepticism, Mr. Francis's vision and determination led to a successful presentation and project execution, resulting in the widespread adoption of ATMs across the country. This achievement not only transformed the financial services landscape but also demonstrated his ability to deliver under pressure and drive industry-wide change.

Mr. Francis began his professional journey as a software engineer in Ross Perot's banking division from 1976 to 1981. His path into technology was shaped by formative experiences outside traditional academic settings. Raised in Fairmont, he supported five family members while attending high school and working on a dairy farm from age sixteen. These early responsibilities instilled in him a strong work ethic and sense of duty that would define his career. Following high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he worked on computerized payroll systems. The discipline and technical skills acquired during military service enabled him to transition seamlessly into civilian roles within the technology sector.

Throughout his career, Mr. Francis has attributed his success to unwavering dedication and daily commitment rather than sporadic achievement or formal university education. He emphasizes that consistent effort—demonstrated through years of hard work on the farm, in military service and across various engineering roles—has been central to his accomplishments.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Mr. Francis is deeply engaged in civic life as a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in McKinney. He has held every leadership position within the organization, including commander and quartermaster, reflecting his commitment to service and community leadership. Notably, he played an instrumental role in saving the local post from state closure by providing $5,000 to pay an overdue electric bill and guiding the organization back to financial stability.

Mr. Francis's community involvement extends to charitable work through woodworking—a passion that allows him to craft custom furniture pieces, such as table and chair sets for young children. He donates these creations to local cancer charities without compensation for time or materials. He built a home with the same skills approximately forty years ago for himself and his wife of more than 50 years. He also enjoys building custom display units and remains actively involved in hands-on projects within his woodshop. His daughter, Jill Francis, is recognized as an expert computer security professional pursuing a master's degree in information technology.

In the upcoming years, Mr. Francis intends to expand his rental business by adding another Airbnb property to his portfolio—which currently includes two houses and five-and-a-half acres of land—and increase revenue streams through enhanced rental operations with continued support from his property manager.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. The suite of Marquis® publications, including Who's Who in America® and Who's Who in the World®, remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the globe. Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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