Travelport Names Kurt Ekert Chief Commercial Officer Designate

Kurt Ekert, currently Chief Operating Officer for GTA by Travelport, is to succeed Armin Meier as Chief Commercial Officer, Travelport GDS. Armin Meier is moving on to pursue a new business venture outside the travel industry.

Ekert will assume the role of Chief Commercial Officer Designate on 1 June 2010, gradually assuming global responsibility for customer engagement, sales, sourcing and commercial operations for Travelport GDS, comprising the Galileo and Worldspan brands. Ekert will report directly to Gordon Wilson, Deputy CEO, Travelport, and will work closely with Armin Meier to ensure an orderly transition of responsibilities. 

In his current role as Chief Operating Officer, GTA by Travelport, Kurt Ekert leads GTA's global operations and sourcing/content, as well as all elements of its online consumer business, OctopusTravel.com. Previously, Ekert was Senior Vice President and General Manager, GTA Americas and OctopusTravel.com. Prior to GTA, Ekert was Senior Vice President, Travelport Supplier Services Americas, where he oversaw supplier services and content for the Travelport Americas business and consumer groups including Galileo, Orbitz.com and CheapTickets.com.

Earlier, he held the positions of Group Vice President, Strategy and Business Development, and Chief Operating Officer, Travelport for Business. Ekert's experience in the travel industry also includes a number of senior finance roles at Continental Airlines.

Ekert holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from the University of South Carolina. He sits on the board of directors of Passur Aerospace, Inc., a provider of business intelligence and predictive analytics solutions for aviation organizations. He also sits on the research advisory board of the Cornell University Hotel School.

“I’m delighted that we are able to call upon an executive of Kurt’s calibre to take up the reins as our chief commercial officer designate,” said Gordon Wilson, Deputy CEO, Travelport. “Kurt is a truly international executive with a track record of winning business and delivering outstanding customer service. He has led both business-to-business and consumer-facing operations throughout his 14-year career in the travel industry, combining strong strategic insight with a hands-on, make it happen approach. It’s great to have him on the team.”

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