Expedia names chief financial officer as successor to Khosrowshahi

Expedia names chief financial officer as successor to Khosrowshahi

Expedia chief financial officer Mark Okerstrom is to succeed outgoing boss Dara Khosrowshahi, who is leaving to become chief executive at Uber. He was the only candidate the company considered, according to board chairman Barry Diller. Okerstrom joined Expedia in … Continue reading

Expedia chief financial officer Mark Okerstrom is to succeed outgoing boss Dara Khosrowshahi, who is leaving to become chief executive at Uber.

He was the only candidate the company considered, according to board chairman Barry Diller.

Okerstrom joined Expedia in 2006 and has been its financial head since 2011. He is also executive vice president of operations for the online travel giant.

Diller said Khosrowshahi would remain on the Expedia board.

“We all wish Dara Khosrowshahi the best good fortune as Uber’s chief executive,” he said.

“Prior to Dara leaving, Mark Okerstrom was his principal partner in operating the Company – and therefore this transition is as natural as water flowing down a snow-packed mountain. There was no other candidate that the board considered.”

Khosrowshahi  said: “Under Mark’s leadership, surrounded by his excellent and tenured executive team, I’m confident we’ll continue to grow and prosper.

“Mark has been by my side through every major milestone in this company for much of the last 11 years and I’m passing these reins into the best hands.

“He is a tireless, strategic, and steadfast leader who has pushed me to be my best self while having Expedia’s best interests front and centre at every step. I am incredibly excited to watch Expedia continue to flourish with his leadership.”

Khosrowshahi has told Uber staff that the ride-services company may go public in the next three years.

“This company has to change,” Khosrowshahi told employees, according to the Twitter feed of Uber’s communications team.