Virtual card specialist Conferma Pay has appointed executives to spearhead growth in North America. Americas general manager Fred Bowen will manage the strategic direction of Conferma's business relationships in North America and will serve as lead contact for global distribution systems, travel management companies and technology providers. He joins Conferma with more than 25 years of business travel and technology experience, including senior management roles at Sabre and American Airlines. Julie Costa, business development director for travel, has more than 20 years of experience in T&E, including business development roles at American Express Global Business Travel, Sabre GetThere and, most recently, Chrome River. The U.K.-based Conferma has identified North America as an area of high growth potential due to the increased uptake and integration of virtual payments within corporate travel programs, according to the company.