Gate Gourmet International -

Gate Gourmet International -: "Gate Gourmet realigns organization to sharpen customer focus
Reston, VA, Sept. 27, 2005 - Gate Gourmet, a leading global airline catering and logistics company, today announced a realignment of its organizational and management structure by consolidating sales and service functions in its operating divisions.


David Siegel, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said the new structure addresses several strategic objectives. 'Overall, we are striving to be even more market oriented and customer focused with our sales and service functions integrated within the geographic divisions. We will be more responsive as business conditions change by region or within market sectors, and be more attuned to opportunities both within and outside of our traditional catering role,' Siegel said.

Sales and customer service will now be fully integrated within the geographic divisions, under the direction of three division presidents, Paul Lilley in Europe, Pete Pappas in the Americas and Odd Engebretsen in Asia/Pacific, who will continue to report to Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Guy Dubois.

Support and infrastructure for the sales function will be provided by a new corporate department of Marketing and Business Development, headed by John Whisnant. In this role, Whisnant is responsible for identifying new or emerging market opportunities worldwide and developing related tools and processes for the newly formed divisional sales teams.

Because of these changes, Niels Smedegaard, Executive Vice President, Global Sales Solutions, will be leaving the company following a transition period. With Smedegaard's departure, e-gatematrix Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer Torben Carlsen has been elevated to the role of President of that unit and will report d"