Wheels Up Announces Executive Leadership Changes to Align Go-To-Market Strategy and Accelerate Growth

Rhea-AI Summary

Wheels Up Experience (NYSE: UP) has announced significant executive leadership changes to enhance its go-to-market strategy and accelerate growth. Mark Briffa, current CEO of Air Partner and EVP of Charter, has been promoted to Chief Sales Officer to unify global sales across Membership and Charter offerings. Meaghan Wells has been appointed as Chief Growth Officer, overseeing commercial strategy, revenue management, product strategy, and competitive analysis. Kristen Lauria's role as Chief Marketing Officer has been expanded to include customer experience responsibilities. Dave Harvey, Chief Commercial Officer, will transition to a senior advisor role through August 2025. These changes align with the company's transformation journey and strategic partnership with Delta Air Lines, focusing on delivering comprehensive global aviation solutions.

Positive

• Unified sales structure under single leadership could improve operational efficiency
• Creation of Chief Growth Officer role indicates focus on data-driven decision making
• Strategic partnership with Delta Air Lines provides competitive advantage
• Enhanced focus on customer experience through expanded CMO role

Negative

• Departure of Chief Commercial Officer could create temporary leadership transition challenges
• Multiple simultaneous leadership changes may cause short-term organizational disruption

ATLANTA, June 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Wheels Up Experience Inc. (NYSE: UP), a leading provider of on-demand private aviation, today announced key executive leadership appointments that align the company's go-to-market growth strategy with the evolving needs of its customers.

"These leadership changes are a natural next step in our transformation journey," said George Mattson, Chief Executive Officer of Wheels Up. "As we continue to focus our customer-centric strategy around the goal of seamlessly delivering the broadest and most accessible suite of global aviation solutions across our programmatic on fleet and global charter offerings, all aligned with our first-of-its-kind strategic partnership with Delta Air Lines, we expect these organizational changes will help drive our commercial success in the marketplace and long-term growth."

Effective immediately: 

• Mark Briffa, currently CEO of Air Partner and EVP, Charter, will become Chief Sales Officer, unifying global sales across our Membership and Charter offerings under one leader.
• Meaghan Wells, EVP of Enterprise Planning and Strategy, has been appointed Chief Growth Officer, a new role that unifies key growth functions. In this position, she will oversee the newly formed commercial strategy group, integrating revenue management, product strategy, and competitive analysis, to drive more coordinated, data-driven decisions that are expected to enhance our customer offering. She will also continue to lead fleet and corporate strategy, partnerships, and enterprise planning.
• Kristen Lauria, currently Chief Marketing Officer, will expand her role to include customer experience, driving deeper integration across brand, communications, and customer engagement. As Wheels Up progresses its previously announced fleet modernization plan, investing in and enhancing all aspects of the customer experience will be a key strategic focus area for the company.

As part of the leadership realignment, Dave Harvey, Chief Commercial Officer, will step into a senior advisor role to the company through August 2025 to help ensure a smooth and effective transition. "We are grateful to Dave for his significant contributions in shaping and executing our commercial strategy, and we thank him for his leadership during a pivotal phase of our transformation," added Mattson.

About Wheels Up

Wheels Up is a leading provider of on-demand private aviation in the U.S. with a large, diverse fleet and a global network of safety-vetted charter operators, all committed to safety and service. Customers access charter and membership programs and commercial travel benefits through a strategic partnership with Delta Air Lines. Wheels Up also provides freight, safety, security, and managed services to a range of clients, including individuals and government organizations. With the Wheels Up app and website, members can easily search, book, and fly.

For more information, visit www.wheelsup.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other important factors, many of which are outside of the control of Wheels Up Experience Inc. ("Wheels Up"). These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the expected impact and timing of certain personnel transitions on Wheels Up, Wheels Up's growth plans, the degree of market adoption of Wheels Up's member programs, charter offerings and any future services it may offer, and the anticipated impact of Wheels Up's fleet modernization strategy. The words "anticipate," "continue," "could," "expect," "plan," "potential," "should," "would," "pursue" and similar expressions, may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that statement is not forward-looking. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements can be found in Wheels Up's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on March 11, 2025 and Wheels Up's other filings with the SEC from time to time. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as required by law, Wheels Up does not intend to update any of these forward-looking statements after the date of this press release.

Contacts

Investors:
ir@wheelsup.com 

Media:
press@wheelsup.com 

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SOURCE Wheels Up

FAQ

Who are the new executive appointments at Wheels Up (UP)?

Mark Briffa becomes Chief Sales Officer, Meaghan Wells is appointed Chief Growth Officer, and Kristen Lauria expands her CMO role to include customer experience.

Why did Wheels Up (UP) make these leadership changes?

The changes aim to align the company's go-to-market growth strategy with customer needs and enhance their commercial success through unified sales and data-driven decision making.

What is happening to Dave Harvey at Wheels Up (UP)?

Dave Harvey, the Chief Commercial Officer, will transition to a senior advisor role through August 2025 to ensure a smooth transition.

How does the Delta Air Lines partnership fit into Wheels Up's (UP) strategy?

The partnership is described as first-of-its-kind and aligns with Wheels Up's strategy to deliver comprehensive global aviation solutions across their fleet and charter offerings.

What are Meaghan Wells' responsibilities as the new Chief Growth Officer at Wheels Up (UP)?

Wells will oversee commercial strategy, revenue management, product strategy, competitive analysis, fleet and corporate strategy, partnerships, and enterprise planning.