Flag carrier PAL appoints new president

Philippine Airlines (PAL) on Monday, 29 July 2019, announced the appointment of Gilbert Santa Maria as the Flag carrier’s new president and chief operating officer. PAL’s 15-man board of directors unanimously approved Santa Maria’s appointment during a regular meeting on Monday. Shaking hands with chairman and CEO Lucio Tan (left) is Santa Maria. PAL

Philippine Airlines (PAL) on Monday announced the appointment of Gilbert Santa Maria as the Flag carrier’s new president and chief operating officer.

PAL’s 15-man board of directors unanimously approved Santa Maria during a regular meeting on Monday, July 29.

“I call on PAL executives and staff to support Gilbert Santa Maria. Let’s work together and help him face PAL’s many challenges,” PAL chairman and CEO Lucio Tan said.

Santa Maria served as COO of Washington-based BPO company Ibex Global. He was the COO and CFO of California-based finance and accounting outsourcer IQ BackOffice.

Santa Maria holds a master’s degree in Public and Private Management from the Yale University School of Management, and a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of the Philippines.

He will take over from Vivienne Tan, who was named officer-in-charge last month, following the retirement of Jaime Bautista.

“It is important for my father’s vision to be translated into PAL providing consistent quality service to our customers and also, the flag carrier serving as a means to contribute to nation-building. With this new leadership, we will accomplish this further,” the younger Tan said. —VDS, GMA News