Amex Names Smith To Top Commercial Card Post

American Express today appointed U.S. Consumer Card Services Group president Gordon Smith to head up its commercial card division, filling a spot left vacant by Steve Squeri's appointment in May to executive vice president and chief information officer of American Express Co.

Amex CEO Ken Chenault in a letter to employees today noted the change to the commercial card group and discussed other internal changes within the company.

"As we prepare to spin off our financial advisors business and become the new American Express Co.," Chenault said. "I am making a number of organizational and management changes to help accelerate the implementation of our growth strategies and broaden our executive leadership team."

Smith's move is the most relevant to corporate travel buyers, but the company also is reconfiguring its Global Network and Establishment Services, and Travelers Cheque and Prepaid Services Group, which were headed by retiring group president David House. Through the changes, Amex said it would continue to ramp up its merchant network as well as continue to integrate the Travelers Cheque and Prepaid Services Group.