Al Lenza

Vice President, Distribution and E-Commerce, Northwest Airlines Corporation
WHEN: Wednesday, November 14, 2007 at 11:30 am - 11:50 pm
TOPIC: Straight Talk About Airline E-Business

Al Lenza is vice president, distribution and e-commerce for Northwest Airlines, a position he has held since 1994. Lenza is responsible for the development and implementation of Northwest’s global distribution strategies, for Northwest’s various electronic commerce initiatives, including its multi-award winning web site (nwa.com), for its relationship with Internet travel retailers and for Northwest’s overall Internet distribution and marketing strategies. Lenza was Northwest’s representative in the steering committees that led to the creation of various e-commerce ventures, including the Orbitz and Hotwire travel sites. He also sits on the Board of the Airlines Reporting Corporation and also oversees the management of relationships with all global and emerging distribution systems. Prior to joining Northwest, he spent 12 years at Continental Airlines and its affiliate GDS, System One, most recently as vice president of planning and business development. Prior to that, he worked for five years at National Airlines, and its successor Pan American World Airways, in reservations, pricing, and marketing automation. Lenza has a BA in journalism and political science from the University of Miami and a Master’s degree from Florida International University. He has been recognized for a number of his accomplishments in his career, including being recognized as one of Business Travel News’ 25 most influential travel industry executives in 1996, 2000, and 2003, and 2006.