Sabre Announces Leadership Moves to Integrate Airline and Agency Businesses

The Southlake software and technology company announced six executive leadership changes meant to help create a stronger, cohesive customer experience.

Last month, we told you about Sabre Corporation’s plans to realign the organization that would “position the company for long-term growth.” The Southlake-headquartered company has now announced changes to its executive leadership team as part of that strategic realignment.

The changes are part of the software and technology company’s Travel Solutions business to merge Sabre’s airline and agency-focused businesses and “provide a stronger, more seamless experience for its customers,” according to a statement.

Dave Shirk will continue in his role as president of Sabre’s Travel Solutions business and report to CEO Sean Menke. Shirk will oversee the company’s agency and airline-focused business segments, including product management, global project management, sales and account management, delivery and professional services, and strategy.

Wade Jones has been appointed to executive vice president and chief product officer. Jones will lead a centralized product management and marketing organization focused on helping customers maximize the value of content “by delivering a brand-consistent customer experience across all channels,” according to a statement.

Dave Moore has been appointed executive vice president and chief technology officer. He will manage the Sabre global product development team. Moore’s team will be in charge of building software products for customers, along with using a unified approach to all product development efforts. This includes leading Sabre’s technology transformation, including its Google Cloud partnership.

Roshan Mendis is now executive vice president and chief commercial officer, and will oversee all agency and airline-focused sales and account management teams. The centralized organization of the sales and account management teams was made to “implement a cohesive sales approach and discipline across all airline and agency customers, providing a more seamless experience, benefitting our team members, customers and the travel industry,” according to a statement.

Cem Tanyel has been named executive vice president and chief services officer of Sabre’s new professional services, consulting, and support organization, which brings together the company’s delivery and care teams. The organization of Tanyel’s team is designed for efficiency and to improve productivity of the care and delivery of Sabre products.

Blair Austin is taking on the role of Sabre’s vice president, global business operations. This organization is expected to work cross-functionally to help each business function focus on maximizing Sabre’s value creation, according to a statement.

Kristin Hays has been named senior vice president of global communications with responsibility for all aspects of Sabre’s corporate messaging, including executive and team member communications, public and media relations, and external affairs.

“We began this journey over two years ago with the unveiling of our SabreNext strategy and the creation of our Travel Solutions organization under the leadership of Dave Shirk,” Sean Menke, Sabre’s president and CEO, said in a statement. “Since then, we have been taking difficult steps to transform this company and build a solid foundation for long-term, profitable growth—which culminated in the announcement of Sabre’s strategic initiatives earlier this year and the organizational realignment that we announced last month.”

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