Wheels Up Experience announced it has hired Todd Smith as its new Chief Financial Officer, effective June 30, 2022.
Smith joins from General Electric where he served in a number of senior, global Finance roles over his 25-year career – most recently as Global Head of Financial Planning and Analysis and CFO for GE Corporate. In a career covering four continents, he has served as Chief Financial Officer for several GE business units, including Gas Power Systems, Capital International, Healthcare Life Sciences, Capital Real Estate and Commercial Finance. He began his career with GE in 1997 as a member of the Financial Management Program and then spent over five and a half years on GE’s Corporate Audit Staff.
“We are thrilled to welcome Todd to the Wheels Up Family. He has a deep background across a number of key financial disciplines, experience in the public markets and a global perspective that will be invaluable as we continue to create the future of private travel,” said Wheels Up Chairman and CEO Kenny Dichter. “Equally important, Todd is a dynamic and experienced leader who has been successful leading both high-growth and mature businesses in a range of industries. He will be a great addition to our leadership team.”
At GE Corporate, Smith played a key role, working directly with the CEO and members of the leadership team, to drive the financial analysis around the recently announced decision to split the 130-year-old multinational corporation into three separate public companies. Throughout his career at GE, he has demonstrated a track record of driving profitable growth, operating in highly complex and regulated environments, leading M&A activity and building high performing finance teams.
“Through its growing marketplace, strong brand and talented team, Wheels Up has an incredible opportunity to fundamentally change private travel, making it more rewarding and accessible for millions of consumers around the world,” Smith said. “I am excited to join a committed and engaged group of senior leaders in their mission to deliver an exceptional experience – in the air and on the ground – to members and customers.”
At Wheels Up, Smith will oversee all aspects of the company’s global Finance organization, including Commercial Finance, Accounting, FP&A, Treasury, Tax and Investor Relations. He will also join the company’s Executive Leadership Team.
Smith holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida’s Warrington College of Business and resides in the Boston area with his family.
