Flag carrier Philippine Airlines on Tuesday announced the appointment of PAL executive vice president Vivienne K. Tan as its new officer-in-charge following the retirement of PAL president and chief operating officer Jaime J. Bautista.
Bautista retired to spend more time with his family. His retirement was accepted by PAL Chairman and CEO Dr. Lucio C. Tan and the members of the airline’s board.
In a message to PAL employees, Tan, PAL OIC and concurrent EVP, treasurer and chief administrative officer, expressed her gratitude and acknowledged Bautista for his many years of dedicated service to the flag carrier.
“As this is the beginning of JJB’s retirement life with his family, let it also be the beginning of even greater dreams for PAL and all PALers,” Tan said.
“On behalf of my father, I am asking all of you to continue working toward our goals. I am personally committed to working with all of you hand in hand and to build on what we have already accomplished.”
PAL assured its customers, business partners and employees that it’s “business as usual” for the flag carrier. All flights and services are proceeding as scheduled, the company said.
For seamless transition, all official communication and concerns requiring the attention and/or approval of the PAL president should be addressed to Tan, the airline said in a statement.
A US-educated daughter of taipan Lucio Tan, Vivienne has more than 25 years of professional experience in technology, education, entrepreneurship and social advocacy in industries such as education, airline and property development.
Aside from PAL, she also sits in the board of the Tan holding firm LT Group Inc., Philippine National Bank, Eton Properties, Dynamic Holdings, University of the East and UERM-MMC.
She is no stranger to the inner workings of PAL, having worked for the airline in various capacities since 2011. Later, she moved to other positions in the LT Group, and mainly in the real estate, banking and education sectors.
She holds a double degree in mathematics and computer science from the University of San Francisco as well as a post-graduate Diploma in Fashion Design and Manufacturing Management from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles.
In 2006 she received the Ten Outstanding Young Men Award for Business Education and Entrepreneurship and was also conferred the UNESCO Excellence in Education and Entrepreneurship Award in 2007.
Meanwhile, the airline’s management also introduced a new member of the PAL board who was elected during the board’s organizational meeting following its annual stockholders’ meeting at the Century Park Hotel in Manila.
Ryuhei Maeda, senior adviser at ANA Holdings Inc. and a member of the board of the Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways Co., now completes PAL’s board for 2019.
Maeda was also elected into the board of PAL Holdings, the flag carrier’s parent company.
He represents ANA Holdings Inc., the parent company of ANA, following the acquisition of 9.5 percent of PAL Holdings shares by ANA Holdings on Jan. 29, 2019.
PAL Holdings has applied for government approval of an increase of its authorized capital stock from P13.5 billion to P20 billion to support the ongoing network and fleet expansion initiatives to position PAL as a strong market player.