Exhibit 99.1
Sabre Elects Gail Mandel to Become Chair of its Board of Directors
Sean Menke to retire from the Board immediately prior to Company’s Annual Meeting
SOUTHLAKE, Texas – Mar. 5, 2024 – Sabre Corporation (NASDAQ: SABR), a leading technology provider to the global travel industry, today announced the election of Gail Mandel, former Wyndham Worldwide executive and existing Sabre Board member, to become non-executive Chair of the Board. Mandel has served on Sabre’s Board since April 2020. Her appointment as Chair of the Board will be effective at the company’s 2024 Annual Meeting, scheduled for April 24, 2024.
“I am thrilled to serve as Chair of Sabre’s Board at this important phase of the company’s strategic transformation,” said Mandel. “The travel ecosystem is dynamic with an abundance of value-enhancing opportunities which I believe Sabre can capture through its ongoing commitment to innovation and sustainable growth strategies. I look forward to continuing to work with this leadership team and Board to drive the future success of the company.”
In addition to serving as Chair of the Board, Mandel will serve as Chair of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and as a member of the Compensation Committee.
“Gail brings a wealth of travel industry experience, financial acumen and insight to this role, as well decades of experience leading complex global companies through strategic change and successfully delivering positive outcomes for stakeholders,” said Kurt Ekert, President, CEO and Board member of Sabre. “Gail is the right choice to help guide this company as we execute against our strategic priorities and achieve our vision.”
Mandel will succeed Sean Menke, who is retiring from the Board immediately prior to the company’s 2024 Annual Meeting. Menke currently serves as Sabre’s Executive Chair of the Board. Previously, he was appointed as President and CEO of Sabre in 2016 and transitioned to the CEO and Executive Chair roles in early 2022. These changes, along with those announced last month, are being made as part of the Board’s ongoing focus on composition and succession planning.
“It has been an honor serving on Sabre’s Board since 2016,” added Menke. “Sabre has weathered unprecedented headwinds during that time, and I am proud of the team’s achievements, including the successful execution of its technology transformation milestones and the investment in, and delivery of, product innovations that distinguish Sabre from the competition. I am confident that Gail, the Board and this leadership team will continue to build upon those achievements and deliver long-term value to Sabre’s investors, customers and other stakeholders.”
“On behalf of the Board, I extend our deepest gratitude to Sean for his leadership and guidance over the years,” continued Ekert. “His partnership with me and the leadership team and his Board leadership have been invaluable as we developed and began executing against our strategic priorities and took measures to position Sabre for long-term success in this dynamic and evolving travel industry. We wish him much success in the future.”
