Aviation News

AMR Corporation Names Three Officers

AMR Corporation today announced the appointment of Charles Schubert to Vice President Network Planning and Andrew Backover to Vice President Corporate Communications for American Airlines. The company also selected Pedro Fabregas as Senior Vice President Customer Service for American Eagle, the regional airline affiliate of American Airlines. Schubert succeeds Walter Aue who will retire on Dec. 1 after more than 37 years of service to the company. Backover fills a role that was vacated in October when Roger Frizzell left the company. Fabregas replaces George Hazy who also will retire on Dec. 1 after 32 years with the company.

In his new role, Schubert will oversee the planning and scheduling of American’s global routes, covering points throughout North America, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe and the Pacific. He also will lead planning and scheduling for American’s regional airline affiliates, which together with American serve approximately 260 airports in more than 50 countries and territories with an average of more than 3,300 daily flights. In addition, Schubert and his team will work with American’s joint business and oneworld® partners to optimize American’s network to offer customers seamless global connectivity.

“We are fortunate to have someone of Chuck’s talent, knowledge and background to move into the role of Vice President Network Planning. Chuck has a proven ability to translate strategic vision into concrete operational results, as evidenced by his successful track record in the Network Planning organization,” said Virasb Vahidi, American’s Chief Commercial Officer. “Chuck’s previous decade with American, combined with his wealth of global experience, will make him an invaluable asset as we continue to invest in the strategic growth of our network.”

Schubert joined American in 2000 as a financial analyst and served in a number of roles with increasing responsibilities in the financial, corporate and network planning organizations. In 2010, he was named Managing Director Network Planning. Schubert began his career at the Boeing Corporation where he worked for eight years, most recently as Senior Principal. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Missouri Columbia and a Master of Business Administration degree from Southern Methodist University.

American also announced the promotion of Andrew Backover to Vice President Corporate Communications. In this role, Backover will oversee the airline’s worldwide corporate communications, including media relations, employee communications, social media, customer communications and corporate social responsibility. He also will be responsible for American Airlines Publishing, the business unit of American Airlines that produces numerous publications including American Way.

“Andy is a talented communicator and his unique blend of journalism and corporate communications experience made him an ideal choice for the role of Vice President Corporate Communications,” said Craig Kreeger, American’s Senior Vice President Customer Experience. “American has built a strong reputation for its approach to corporate communications and Andy’s expertise as a former journalist will allow us to continue successfully communicating our airline’s strategic business objectives in the increasingly dynamic and evolving communications environment.”

Since 2006, Backover has served in American’s Corporate Communications department, most recently as Managing Director Corporate Communications. While in this role, Backover led the communications team in announcing the approval and launch of American’s joint business agreements with British Airways, Iberia and Japan Airlines. In addition, he has directed the development of American’s social media efforts, including the company’s growing Facebook and Twitter activities.

Prior to joining American, Backover was a Director in the corporate media relations department for AT&T Corporation. Previously he worked for 13 years as a journalist, holding staff writer positions at USA Today, the Denver Post and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, as well as writing stories for the Washington Post and the Philadelphia Inquirer. Backover earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan and a Master of Science degree from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.

In a separate move, Pedro Fabregas was appointed Senior Vice President Customer Service for American Eagle. A long-time veteran of the airline industry, Fabregas will be responsible for all airport and flight attendant operations for the more than 1,500 daily flights operated by American Eagle and its affiliate Executive Airlines. In addition to his new role with American Eagle, Fabregas will retain his position as President of San Juan-based Executive Airlines, a subsidiary of AMR Eagle Holding Corp. that operates American Eagle service throughout the Caribbean and Bahamas, and provides service from DFW International Airport to surrounding cities.

“The American Eagle network is now one of the largest regional airline systems in the world, serving more than 170 locations in the United States, Canada, The Bahamas, Mexico and the Caribbean,” said Daniel Garton, President and Chief Executive Officer of American Eagle Airlines. “During the past 27 years, Pedro has demonstrated a keen understanding of this complex business. That expertise combined with Pedro’s trademark passion and commitment for providing a safe, quality travel experience for our customers will make him a great leader for our airline.”

Fabregas was named President of Executive Airlines in 2008 after serving in a variety of roles at the airline in the Finance and Administration, Sales, Marketing and Planning organizations. He began his career with American Airlines in 1983 and quickly progressed through a number of management positions within the operation, including Passenger Service, Ramp Service and Facilities Maintenance.

Fabregas earned a Bachelor degree in Administration & Finance from the University of the Sacred Heart (Puerto Rico) and a Masters degree from the University of Miami School of Business Administration, located in Coral Gables, Fla.

Source: AMR

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