Travelport Appoints Simon Gros Vice President of Government Affairs for the Americas
New York,
06.10.2008
Travelport Limited, the parent company of the Travelport group of companies, today announced that Simon Gros has been named vice president of Government Affairs based in Washington D.C. In this role, Gros will focus on the Americas - U.S., Canada and Central and South America - and manage relationships with governments and organizations through strategic and tactical global public affairs programs. He will report to Dirk Vande Beek, senior vice president, Government Affairs.
"Having served numerous years in government affairs and particularly with his extensive and solid background working in the U.S. Department of Transportation, Simon is a perfect fit for strengthening the Travelport brand within the government sectors in the Americas and among its public policy makers,” said Dirk Vande Beek, Travelport’s senior vice president, Government Affairs.
Gros joins Travelport from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), where he held various roles of increasing responsibility since May 2004. Nominated by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Gros most recently served as the Assistant Secretary for Transportation as the Secretary’s primary advisor for all intergovernmental matters pertaining to the Department. Gros was responsible for developing aggressive governmental affairs strategies for various Departmental undertakings and was the principal point of contact between Congress and the Department of Transportation and its operating administrations.
Previously, Gros was Deputy Chief of Staff, serving as the Secretary’s representative for policy development and coordination, both within the Department and with other agencies and the White House. In this role, he supported the Chief of Staff in managing all aspects of a federal agency with nearly 59,000 employees and a $58 billion annual budget. Prior to that, Gros held positions within the USDOT as Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Governmental Affairs and Associate Director, Office of Governmental Affairs serving as liaison between the Secretary of Transportation, Members of Congress from ten northeastern states, and various agency modes.
Gros began his career on Capitol Hill working for the U.S. Representative Frank A. LoBiondo as Staff Assistant, Legislative Correspondent and Legislative Aide advising the Congressman on a variety of issues including judiciary, telecommunications, banking, armed services and small business. He also served as Staff Director for the Congressional Gaming Caucus and worked with House Judiciary Committee staff to draft and pass “The Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act”, which was signed into law in 1998.
About Travelport
Travelport is one of the world's largest travel conglomerates offering broad based business services to companies operating in the global travel industry. The company is comprised of Travelport GDS, a global distribution system business that includes the Worldspan and Galileo brands; GTA, a group travel and wholesale hotel business; Business Intelligence by Travelport, a data analysis business; and IT Services and Software, which hosts mission critical applications and provides business solutions for major airlines.
Travelport also owns approximately 48% of Orbitz Worldwide (NYSE: OWW), a leading global online travel company. With 2007 revenues of $2.6 billion, Travelport operates in 145 countries and has approximately 5,500 employees.
Travelport is a private company owned by The Blackstone Group, One Equity Partners, Technology Crossover Ventures and Travelport management.
Media Contact:
Kelli Segal
Corporate Communications Director, EMEA and APAC
(212) 915-9155
Kelli.Segal@travelport.com