The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) today announced it has
created two new business groups focused on the US/Canada and Latin
America/Mexico/Caribbean (LACA) regions. Formerly part of the larger
Americas division, the creation of two smaller organizations allows
for even greater focus on important customer groups and continued
response to the changing demands of Western Union's markets and
consumers.
Liz Alicea-Velez becomes a member of the Western Union's Executive
Committee as Executive Vice President of the newly formed Latin
America/Mexico/Caribbean organization. In addition to her new
responsibilities, Alicea-Velez, who joined Western Union in 1992 and
has held a variety of leadership roles within Latin America, Mexico
and the Caribbean, continues her leadership of the Orlandi Valuta and
Vigo brands.
David Barnes, Executive Vice President, assumes the leadership of
the newly formed US/Canada group. Barnes joined Western Union in 2006,
having previously served in the role of Chief Financial Officer at
both Radio Shack Corporation and Coors U.S. In addition to his new
responsibilities, Barnes will continue to manage Western Union's
corporate strategy and merger and acquisitions activity, while full
leadership responsibility for Western Union's Finance organization
moves to Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Scott
Scheirman.
"One of Western Union's key strengths has always been its
understanding of and focus on its consumers," said Christina Gold,
President and Chief Executive Officer, The Western Union Company. "By
realigning our Americas division, we are able to create even greater
focus and maximize the potential for growth in this diverse region."
Bill Thomas, who most recently served as President of the Americas
region, has made the decision to depart Western Union in pursuit of
other opportunities. "Western Union thanks Bill for his many years of
dedicated service," continued Gold. "We wish him well in his next
endeavor."
About Western Union
Western Union, together with its affiliates Orlandi Valuta and
Vigo, is a leading provider of global money transfer services,
providing people with fast, reliable and convenient ways to send money
around the world, pay bills and purchase money orders through a
network of approximately 300,000 Agent locations in over 200 countries
and territories. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com.
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