Former Facebook executive to lead airline's
digital transformation
CALGARY, Jan. 22, 2018 /CNW/ - WestJet today
announced Alfredo C. Tan as Chief
Digital and Innovation Officer. Alfredo will join WestJet on
March 5, 2018.
Reporting to Ed Sims, Executive
Vice-President, Commercial, Alfredo will head the further
development and rollout of WestJet's digital strategy as the
airline transitions from a low-cost, point-to-point carrier to a
fully-fledged network airline. Along with leading the WestJet
Digital team at the airline's headquarters in Calgary, Alfredo will begin to build a second
team in Toronto. Together, these
teams will collaborate in building out WestJet's full digital
capabilities including the creation of a Toronto-based Innovation Centre of Excellence
using non-traditional, leading-edge digital products, solutions and
partnerships for WestJet.
"It is through digital transformation, coupled with our
WestJetters' caring touch, that we will be able to provide the
ultimate guest-centric service," said Gregg
Saretsky, WestJet President and CEO. "Alfredo's digital
understanding, experience and commitment to that core focus will
allow us to innovate faster, collaborate more effectively and serve
our guests better. I look forward to welcoming Alfredo to our
talented team."
"We are most fortunate to have Alfredo's vision and deep
experience to lead our digital transformation," said Ed Sims, WestJet Executive Vice-President,
Commercial. "The exciting work we are undertaking to become a
global carrier will be greatly supported by best-in-class digital
products and services. I firmly believe that Alfredo and his team
will transform the WestJet guest experience across all digital
channels over the entire travel journey and across all guest touch
points."
"I am very excited to be joining WestJet at this important
juncture as it embarks on a bold journey in becoming a global
airline," said Alfredo Tan. "In a
world where change is the only constant, there are a select group
of companies that are open to re-inventing themselves. They are
willing to undergo the transformation required to drive
substantial growth and delight customers today and tomorrow.
WestJet has the culture, the people and the DNA to continue to
innovate. I look forward to playing a part in this
transformation."
Alfredo joins WestJet as a former Facebook and Instagram
Executive in Canada, where he
was a founding team member in early 2009. Alfredo went on to
work with the leadership team in Asia-Pacific in 2016 to help launch Facebook
and Instagram in the Philippines.
Similar management and leadership assignments brought him
throughout Southeast Asia and
Latin America, where he was
responsible for helping to build culture, drive operational
excellence, strategic planning and accelerate revenue growth in
emerging markets. His 20-year career has been focused in
technology, digital media, enterprise marketing and strategy. Prior
to his tenure with Facebook and Instagram, Alfredo also held
leadership positions at Yahoo!, Sympatico MSN and Bell Canada.
About WestJet
WestJet is proud to be named Best
Airline in Canada and one of the
best Low Cost Airlines in North
America, based on authentic reviews from the travelling
public on Trip Advisor, the world's largest travel site. We are one
of very few airlines globally that does not commercially overbook.
Together with our regional airline, WestJet Encore, we offer
scheduled service to more than 100 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe and to more than 175 destinations in
over 20 countries through our airline partnerships. WestJet
Vacations offers affordable, flexible vacations to more than 60
destinations and the choice of more than 800 hotels, resorts,
condos and villas. Members of the WestJet Rewards program
earn WestJet dollars on flights, vacation packages and more.
Members use WestJet dollars towards the purchase of flights and
vacations packages to any WestJet destination with no blackout
periods, and have access to Member Exclusive fares offering deals
to WestJet destinations throughout our network and those of our
partner airlines.
WestJet is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX)
under the symbol WJA. For more information about everything
WestJet, please visit westjet.com.
Recent recognition includes:
2017
Five-Star Airline in the Low-Cost Category (The Airline Passenger
Experience Association)
2017/2016 Canada's Most Trusted Airline (Gustavson School of
Business at the University of
Victoria)
2017 Best Airline in Canada and
Travellers' Choice Winner Mid-Sized and Low Cost Airlines –
North America (TripAdvisor
Travelers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2016 Canada's most reputable company for Corporate Social
Responsibility (Reputation Institute)
2016/2015/2014/2013/2012 Ranked top three for Canadian Brands
(Canadian Business Magazine)
2016/2015/2014/2013 WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard ranked #1 in
Canada (MoneySense magazine)
2015/2011/2010/2008/2007/2006/2005 Canada's Most Admired Corporate
Culture (Waterstone Human Capital)
2015 Best Employers in Canada
(Aon Hewitt)
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SOURCE WestJet