Sabre announces exec team changes

By Travel Weekly

Sabre Corporation has taken the next step toward completing the company’s transformation with a number of changes to its executive leadership team.

The new appointments are part of Sabre’s previously announced strategic realignment of its Travel Solutions business to fully combine the tech specialist’s airline and agency-focused businesses and provide a more seamless experience for customers.

Dave Shirk (pictured above) will continue in his role of president of Sabre’s newly realigned Travel Solutions business, reporting to CEO Sean Menke.

Shirk will oversee all aspects of the company’s agency and airline-focused business segments including product management, global product development, sales and account management, delivery and professional services, as well as strategy.

Wade Jones has been appointed executive vice president and chief product officer of Sabre’s Travel Solutions business. He will oversee a centralised product management and marketing organisation to help customers maximise the value of their content.

Dave Moore has been named executive vice president and chief technology officer of the Travel Solutions business, overseeing Sabre’s global product development team.

Roshan Mendis has been appointed executive vice president and chief commercial officer of Sabre’s Travel Solutions business, and will oversee all agency and airline-focused sales and account management teams.

Cem Tanyel has been named executive vice president and chief services officer of a newly formed professional services, consulting and support organisation that brings together the company’s delivery and care teams together under his leadership.

Blair Austin has been named vice president of global business operations for Sabre. The streamlined business operations organisation will work cross-functionally to enable each business function to focus on maximising value creation for the company.

Jones, Moore, Mendis and Tanyel will all report to Shirk.

“While we remain focused on managing our business through this challenging business climate, we are equally committed to taking this opportunity to make bold, strategic moves toward achieving our vision to create a new market for personalised travel,” Shirk said.

“Now is the time to accelerate the organisational changes we began in 2018 to address the changing travel landscape.

“This is an incredibly experienced and driven leadership team, and the realignment of the organisation will make us more agile in accomplishing our strategic priorities, leveraging the hard work that has already been done over the last several years.”

The company also announced that Kristin Hays has been named senior vice president of global communications, with responsibility for all aspects of Sabre’s corporate messaging, executive and team member communications, public and media relations, and external affairs. Hays will continue reporting to Menke.

Sabre noted that neither the company’s strategic realignment, nor the new leadership appointments, will change the organisational structure or mission of its hospitality business.

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Blair Austin Cem Tanyel Dave Moore Dave Shirk Kristin Hays Roshan Mendis sabre Sabre Corporation travel tech travel technology Wade Jones