AMERICAN EXPRESS ANNOUNCES TWO EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS
NEW YORK, June 18, 2007 -- American Express today announced the appointments of Anré Williams to President Global Commercial Card and Valerie Soranno Keating to Executive Vice President, Global Marketing & Source-to-Settle.
In his new role, Mr. Williams will lead the regional teams primarily responsible for sales, client management, and implementation and will continue to lead the U.S. Commercial Card team. In her new role, Ms. Soranno Keating will be responsible for leveraging opportunities to serve customers through the electronic payment process. This leadership change is a result of the departure of Gordon Smith who has taken a position at JPMorgan Chase.
"Anré and Val are two of the company's most seasoned and accomplished executives. They each have a keen focus on the customer and have demonstrated their commitment to making their teams successful," said Ed Gilligan, Group President, American Express International and Global Corporate Services. "Val and Anré are assuming leadership of a business that is in excellent shape. The business continues to grow, especially in the middle market, and we have broadened the reach of the business into important new services for our clients."
Mr. Williams joined American Express in 1989 as a summer intern and has held a series of leadership positions of increasing responsibility. In Corporate Services, he served as Vice President & General Manager, Large Market Western Region and Senior Vice President, U.S. Middle Market before being named Executive Vice President U.S. Commercial Card in 2004.
During the past five years, Ms. Soranno Keating led Travelers Cheques and Prepaid Services business. During this time, Ms. Soranno Keating and her team launched successful Gift Card products, and grew the Travelers Cheque global footprint by securing new strategic distribution partnerships. Ms. Soranno Keating joined American Express in 1993 and has held a variety of positions in Establishment Services, including Vice President & General Manager Retail Industries, Vice President Network Expansion, and Senior Vice President Merchant Strategic Relationships. Prior to joining American Express, she spent eight years as a management consultant.
American Express Company (www.americanexpress.com) is a leading global payments, network and travel company founded in 1850.
