Coggin Named Vice Chairman, McNamara Role Expanded to Operations,
Wilson Takes Helm of Galileo's International Markets, Gebhardt Assumes Top
Leisure Post, Esterow to Run Airline Services, Lyon to Head Global
Communications
PARSIPPANY, N.J., April 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cendant Corp.'s
(NYSE: CD) Travel Distribution Services Division today announced key
management appointments in supplier relations, operations, international
business, retail leisure brands, and corporate communications as part of its
continuing integration of its multiple travel distribution brands and
services, and following the recent acquisition of Trip Network, Inc., which
operates CheapTickets.com.
Robert Coggin, a seasoned industry veteran and former executive of Delta
Air Lines, has been named vice chairman of the Travel Distribution Services
Division. In this new role, Coggin will support a number of strategic
initiatives related to supplier development and emerging distribution
technologies. Coggin joined Cendant last year as executive vice president of
airline services, following an extensive career at Delta in its passenger
service and sales/marketing divisions, before retiring as a corporate officer.
Succeeding Coggin in the Airline Services executive vice president role
will be Ken Esterow, who will be transitioning from his role as chief
development officer for Travel Distribution. Esterow has been actively engaged
in airline strategy development, contract discussions and the regulatory
process. Esterow joined Galileo following Cendant's acquisition of the
company in October 2001. Previously, Esterow served in senior-level positions
at Cendant in strategic planning, business development and product innovation.
Assuming an expanded senior executive role is Ted McNamara, chief
financial officer and executive vice president, finance and operations for the
Travel Distribution Services Division. In this new position, McNamara assumes
responsibility for technology, legal and U.S. contact center and fulfillment
operations in addition to his CFO responsibilities that also include corporate
communications and business development. McNamara joined Galileo following
Cendant's acquisition and has served as a lead architect in integrating
Cendant's various travel distribution businesses. Previously, he was senior
vice president and chief financial officer of Cendant's Wright Express.
To further strengthen Galileo's global presence, and take advantage of
established and emerging market similarities, Galileo International is more
closely aligning its Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) and Asia Pacific
(APAC) regions into one operating division, which will be headed by Gordon
Wilson, managing director and executive vice president of Galileo --
International Markets, based in Langley, U.K. Wilson has headed the EMEA
region since February 2000. Over a 12-year career at Galileo, Wilson has
headed global customer service delivery, Airline Services, and served as
managing director of Galileo Southern Africa and Galileo Iberia. Prior to
joining Galileo, Wilson held senior positions in the U.K. airline and chemical
industries.
Following the acquisition of Trip Network, Inc., Cendant has aligned its
leisure consumer facing businesses under its Retail Travel Services business
unit. To lead the integration of Cheap Tickets and more closely align
consumer-facing businesses and services, Evans Gebhardt has been named
president of Cendant's Retail Travel Services group. This operating unit
includes Cheap Tickets, Lodging.com, and an affiliation with Traveler's
Advantage, a membership based travel services company. Gebhardt brings
significant experience in consumer marketing, business management and product
development to this position, previously serving as senior vice president and
chief marketing officer of Trip Network, Inc., where he was responsible for
business strategy, marketing and product development. He joined Trip Network
from Cheap Tickets, where he headed marketing. Prior to entering the travel
technology arena, Gebhardt worked for Bristol-Myers Squibb in the Consumer
Products Group, where he served in global business and marketing roles, based
in the U.S., Poland and Hong Kong.
To help manage the reputation of Cendant's various travel distribution
business units and brands as one global operating unit, Dawn Soper Lyon has
been named vice president, corporate communications and public affairs,
overseeing public and industry relations for the division. Lyon was previously
senior director of corporate communications for Trip Network, Inc., a post she
held since Cendant acquired Cheap Tickets, where Lyon was responsible for
public and investor relations. She previously served in senior communications
and government affairs positions for ChevronTexaco Corporation, Amtrak and a
non-profit transportation safety association in Washington, D.C.
"We have made great progress at Cendant to capitalize on our valuable
resources -- from both the business and people angles," said Sam Galeotos,
president and CEO of Galileo International and Cendant's Travel Distribution
Services. "We've assembled a great team that is helping shape the future of
travel distribution, and I have every confidence these individuals will
further accelerate our growth and competitive position."
Cendant placed its various distribution brands under one operating
umbrella last fall, restructuring into five customer facing business
units -- Galileo Client Services, Highwire Corporate Travel Services, Retail
Travel Services, Airlines Services, and Hospitality and Leisure Services.
These operating units are supported by a common shared services organization,
to more effectively leverage Cendant's unique asset portfolio and provide
customized distribution solutions for its growing customer base.
ABOUT CENDANT'S TRAVEL DISTRIBUTION SERVICES DIVISION
Cendant's Travel Distribution Services Division is one of the world's
largest and most geographically diverse collections of travel distribution
businesses. The division, employing some 5,000 people in more than 110
countries, includes: Galileo, a leading global distribution system (GDS)
serving more than 47,000 travel agencies and over 51,000 hotels; hotel
distribution and services businesses (Trust, THOR, WizCom); leading travel
agencies, including Cheap Tickets and Lodging.com; an airline market
intelligence company; and Highwire, an online corporate travel solution.
SOURCE Cendant Travel Distribution Services
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.galileo.com
http://www.cendant.com
CONTACT:
Kate Sullivan of Cendant, +1-973-496-5870,
Tds.CorpCom@Cendant.com
|
