Star Alliance Completes Its Structure; New CEO To Lead Management-Team

Star Alliance(tm), the airline network for Earth, has announced the completion of its full-time Alliance Management Team (AMT) -- the executive body of the partnership.

As of Feb. 1, 2001 William L. Meaney takes over as Chief Executive Officer from Friedel Rodig, who retires after guiding the Alliance in various functions since its founding days.

Four other AMT Executives have also been formally appointed:

Louise Mc Kenven Vice President - Marketing
Rick S. Merkatz Vice President - Sales
Horst E. Findeisen Vice President - Global Network
Brock Friesen Vice President - Strategy

The Star Alliance Management Team translates directions and policies from the alliance’s highest governing body, the Chief Executive Board and the Alliance Management Board, develops policies and plans, implements products and operates budgets. It is headed by the CEO and its Deputy CEO & Chief Administration Officer, Bruce Harris. Other Strategic Development Areas within the AMT include Seamless Service and Product Development (headed by Per Stendebakken), Information Technology (Tim Moore) as well as Purchasing (Alan Mauger), Human Relations (Dan Grenier) and Corporate Communications
(Christian Klick).

"Friedel Rodig has worked for the idea of Star Alliance from its first moments back in 1996 until today, where this team of 15 airlines represents the most successful global airline partnership," said James E. Goodwin, United Airlines Chief Executive Officer. Lufthansa Chairman Jurgen Weber adds: "This group of experienced managers headed by Bill Meaney will drive an ambitious plan to deliver new products and services to the international traveling public and thus contribute to the benefits which all Star Alliance member airlines draw from our partnership."

Bill Meaney, Star Alliance’s new Chief Executive officer has served as Executive Vice President Alliances, Network Management and Global Sales for South African Airways during the last 2-1/2 years of its turnaround. Prior to this assignment he worked as strategic consultant across numerous industries and was CEO of a South African pharmaceutical company.

Louise Mc Kenven headed Marketing Communications at Air Canada and has worked for Star Alliance since 1997, chairing its Marketing Communications activities.

Richard. S. Merkatz has been named Vice President, Star Alliance and head of Sales as a Strategic Development Area. In this role he will be responsible for all joint sales activities of the alliance. Prior to his Star Alliance assignment, Richard Merkatz was Director of International Market/Sales Planning at United’s world headquarters in Chicago, a position he held since 1995.

Horst E. Findeisen has joined the AMT as Vice President and in charge of the strategic development area Global Network. He succeeds Ross MacCormack of Air Canada, who is now Chairman of the Star Alliance Management Board which supervises the work of the AMT. Mr. Findeisen comes from the position of General Manager, Network Management – Alliances at Lufthansa.

Brock Friesen served as Vice President, Alliances of Canadian Airlines (now part of Air Canada) before he was named to the Star Alliance Management Team as Vice President and head of Strategy. Since 1986 he was responsible for Canadian’s alliances with other airlines.