Kathryn Mikells will be named SVP and CFO, succeeding Jake Brace, EVP and CFO, who is retiring November 1.
In her new position, Kathy, who has held several leadership roles in the finance organization, will be responsible for treasury, tax, the controller function, budgets, financial planning and analysis, accounting, external financial reporting and, for administrative purposes, internal audit. She also will be responsible for mergers and acquisitions, fleet planning, corporate development and investor relations.
Jake has served since 2001 as CFO, as well as in the role of chief restructuring officer, leading our $23 billion restructuring. Since joining United in 1988, Jake has held several leadership positions, including VP-Corporate Development, VP-Financial Analysis and controller, and SVP-Finance. Prior to joining United, Jake also held leadership positions with American Airlines. He will continue to serve in an advisory role to Glenn Tilton and our board of directors.
Reporting to Kathy will be SVP-Corporate Planning and Strategy Greg Taylor, VP and Controller Dave Wing, VP and Treasurer Stephen Lieberman and, for administrative purposes, General Auditor Ed Rogowski. The enterprise optimization and continuous improvement organizations, as well as the division business directors, also report to Greg and ultimately roll up to Kathy.
Reporting to EVP and Chief Administrative Officer Pete McDonald will be SVP-Strategic Sourcing and Chief Procurement Officer Grace Puma, VP-Corporate Real Estate Ajay Singh, and managing director of Strategic Sourcing-Fuel Bob Sturtz, who is responsible for fuel procurement.
"Jake has brought significant capability to the role of CFO, combining strong business acumen, a solid financial background and critical thinking at a time when the company was going through a complex restructuring," said Glenn. "We thank Jake for his unwavering commitment to United and for leading the work that enabled this company to restructure and compete in a challenging competitive environment. We wish him well in the next phase of his career. Kathryn is a demonstrated leader who successfully managed critical departments within the finance organization. She is well suited and well prepared to take on the role of chief financial officer."
Kathy most recently served as VP-Investor Relations, representing United to the business and financial analyst community, and working closely with investors. Prior to that, Kathy held the role of VP-Financial Planning and Analysis, responsible for business development and analytical support for business decisions and financial planning, including overseeing the company's operating and capital budgeting functions. She was previously VP and treasurer, where she was responsible for our treasury department, including corporate finance, risk management, cash management, insurance and corporate tax.
"I have worked with Kathy for more than 10 years, and this is a role that she has prepared for, worked hard for, and that is well deserved," Jake said.
Kathy joined United in 1994 as a financial analyst. She has held several leadership positions, including VP-Corporate Real Estate, director-Corporate Planning, managing director-United NetVentures, CFO-Mileage Plus, director-Financial Analysis, and manager-Operating Budgets and Treasury.
Prior to joining United, Kathy spent six years in the financial services sector, including positions at GE Capital's Corporate Finance Group, Household International and Canadian Imperial Bank. She holds an MBA from the University of Chicago and a BS degree in finance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
In her new role, Kathy will report to Glenn and will continue to be based at our corporate headquarters in Chicago. Contact: Marie Reinke - HDQPR - Unitel 997-8182
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In her new position, Kathy, who has held several leadership roles in the finance organization, will be responsible for treasury, tax, the controller function, budgets, financial planning and analysis, accounting, external financial reporting and, for administrative purposes, internal audit. She also will be responsible for mergers and acquisitions, fleet planning, corporate development and investor relations.
Jake has served since 2001 as CFO, as well as in the role of chief restructuring officer, leading our $23 billion restructuring. Since joining United in 1988, Jake has held several leadership positions, including VP-Corporate Development, VP-Financial Analysis and controller, and SVP-Finance. Prior to joining United, Jake also held leadership positions with American Airlines. He will continue to serve in an advisory role to Glenn Tilton and our board of directors.
Reporting to Kathy will be SVP-Corporate Planning and Strategy Greg Taylor, VP and Controller Dave Wing, VP and Treasurer Stephen Lieberman and, for administrative purposes, General Auditor Ed Rogowski. The enterprise optimization and continuous improvement organizations, as well as the division business directors, also report to Greg and ultimately roll up to Kathy.
Reporting to EVP and Chief Administrative Officer Pete McDonald will be SVP-Strategic Sourcing and Chief Procurement Officer Grace Puma, VP-Corporate Real Estate Ajay Singh, and managing director of Strategic Sourcing-Fuel Bob Sturtz, who is responsible for fuel procurement.
"Jake has brought significant capability to the role of CFO, combining strong business acumen, a solid financial background and critical thinking at a time when the company was going through a complex restructuring," said Glenn. "We thank Jake for his unwavering commitment to United and for leading the work that enabled this company to restructure and compete in a challenging competitive environment. We wish him well in the next phase of his career. Kathryn is a demonstrated leader who successfully managed critical departments within the finance organization. She is well suited and well prepared to take on the role of chief financial officer."
Kathy most recently served as VP-Investor Relations, representing United to the business and financial analyst community, and working closely with investors. Prior to that, Kathy held the role of VP-Financial Planning and Analysis, responsible for business development and analytical support for business decisions and financial planning, including overseeing the company's operating and capital budgeting functions. She was previously VP and treasurer, where she was responsible for our treasury department, including corporate finance, risk management, cash management, insurance and corporate tax.
"I have worked with Kathy for more than 10 years, and this is a role that she has prepared for, worked hard for, and that is well deserved," Jake said.
Kathy joined United in 1994 as a financial analyst. She has held several leadership positions, including VP-Corporate Real Estate, director-Corporate Planning, managing director-United NetVentures, CFO-Mileage Plus, director-Financial Analysis, and manager-Operating Budgets and Treasury.
Prior to joining United, Kathy spent six years in the financial services sector, including positions at GE Capital's Corporate Finance Group, Household International and Canadian Imperial Bank. She holds an MBA from the University of Chicago and a BS degree in finance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
In her new role, Kathy will report to Glenn and will continue to be based at our corporate headquarters in Chicago. Contact: Marie Reinke - HDQPR - Unitel 997-8182
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