Northwest Airlines today
announced that Fay P. Beauchine, vice president-sales and customer care,
advised the airline that she will retire next month. Steven M. Sear, managing director of reservations services, will succeed
Beauchine and is being promoted to vice president-sales. Sear will be
responsible for Northwest and KLM sales programs for North American
corporations, travel agencies, the federal government, national
associations, tour operators, cruise lines, consolidators and other
distributors. He also is responsible for the airline’s sales support call
centers.

“Fay Beauchine is a superb leader who achieved impressive results in
sales, customer relations and reservations operations during her career at
Northwest. Her contributions in deepening customer and alliance
relationships, especially in today’s competitive environment, have been
instrumental to the success of the airline’s marketing efforts,” said Tim
Griffin, executive vice president-marketing and distribution. “We thank
Fay for her 27 years of selfless service to our airline and wish her well
as she builds a new business directed at helping global organizations
develop sales and customer service strategies.”

“Steve Sear brings impressive domestic and international sales experience
to his new management position at Northwest. These skills will be
invaluable as the airline evolves its products to serve best the needs of
its valued customers while continuing to implement programs that help
Northwest grow market share.”

“Steve inherits a first-rate, customer-focused sales team that always
strives to make the travel experience on Northwest an efficient
experience,” Griffin added.

As managing director of reservations services, Sear has been responsible
for overseeing network operations, planning and technology development for
Northwest’s five domestic call centers. Since joining the carrier in 1992,
he has held a number of key managerial positions including director-sales
planning and analysis, director-international and alliance sales, and as
the Japan-based director-revenue and distribution planning. Prior to
joining Northwest, he was a consultant for Chicago-based Buccino &
Associates, Inc.

Sear received a master of business administration degree from the
University of Chicago and a bachelor’s degree,*censored*laude, from DePauw
University.
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