Sabre announces CEO succession plan
Sean Menke transitions to Executive Chair of the Board, effective April 27, 2023
Kurt Ekert to become Companys Chief Executive Officer and President
SOUTHLAKE, Texas Mar. 1, 2023 Sabre Corporation (NASDAQ: SABR), a leading software and technology company that powers the global
travel industry, announced today that Sean Menke, currently Chair of the companys Board and its Chief Executive Officer, will transition to be solely Sabres Executive Chair of the Board, effective April 27, 2023. At that time, Kurt
Ekert, currently President of Sabre, will also become the companys Chief Executive Officer, reporting to the Board of Directors. Ekert has also been nominated as a director for election at Sabres 2023 Annual Meeting, to be held on
April 26, 2023. These moves are being made as part of the companys and the Board of Directors ongoing succession planning.
Menke joined
Sabre in 2015 serving as president of its largest business division, before being promoted to CEO in late 2016. Under Menkes leadership, the company set out, and executed against, bold plans to reimagine the future of travel enabled by its
technology transformation, key strategic partnerships and building a leadership team to deliver that vision.
Regarding the next phase in Sabres
leadership transition, Menke stated, It has been an honor and privilege to help lead Sabre over the last eight years. I am proud of what our teams have accomplished and how weve served our customers during unprecedented times. It has
been immensely gratifying to see the dedication and success of our team, as Sabre continues to transform itself to become the trusted, and preferred, technology partner in travel. I look forward to transitioning into the role of executive chair and
welcome Kurt as our new chief executive officer. Hes been a driving force at Sabre over the past fourteen months and I am confident he will continue to successfully lead this organization into the future.
Ekert joined Sabre in January 2022 as President as part of the companys long term succession plans, as it split the role of president and CEO. Ekert
oversees all aspects of the companys business and technology operations. Over the last year, Ekert developed new growth strategies and successfully executed against the companys operating plans, including successfully reorganizing its
Travel Solutions business, implementing robust operating principles to enable faster and more efficient execution, and putting a refined leadership team in place.
Gregg Saretsky will continue to serve in the role as independent lead director of the Board of Directors, providing an effective balance between strong
strategic leadership and oversight by independent directors.
Saretsky added, I know I speak on behalf of Sabres entire Board of Directors
when I say that Sean has been an incredibly strong and successful leader over the last eight years, especially in those unprecedented moments during the global pandemic. He leaves behind a tremendous legacy, including an ambitious multi-year
strategy that the leadership team will continue to move forward. We thank Sean for his outstanding leadership and service and are pleased to continue to serve alongside him as executive chair.