Amex Changes Multinatl. GM

In the first round of management appointments in the new American Express Corporate Services structure, Kim Lewis has been promoted to take over the multinational account unit, replacing Judith Gardner, who created and ran this area since 1989. Replacing Lewis as head of consulting services will be Eric Altschul, formerly director of client travel purchasing for the past two years.

In the expanded regional structure that Amex announced earlier this year (BTN, Feb. 24), Jud Linville, senior vice president of corporate services, decided to have all seven general manager candidates apply for these positions. He selected Lewis as the new vice president and general manager of multinational account development. Linville is expected to name the other six general managers, responsible for geographic regions in the United States, in the next month.

Left without a position, Gardner ended a 15-year career at Amex last month. "I'm very proud of my accomplishments; it was a great run and a wonderful career there," was all Gardner would say of her departure. She said she intends to take the summer off with plans to return to the travel industry in the fall.

Lewis had headed Amex's consulting services since 1994. She joined Amex in 1990.

Altschul is charged with the biennial business travel survey, client consulting and client travel purchasing.