Apple Hires United Continental CFO as VP of Sales

MacRumors · Apr 16, 2012, 06:13 PM

AllThingsD reports that Zane Rowe, executive VP and Chief Financial Officer for United Continental -- the company behind the merged United and Continental airlines -- has joined Apple as one of the vice presidents of sales at Apple.

Quote:

"We are thrilled that Zane Rowe will be joining us as one of our vice presidents of sales," Apple spokesman Steve Dowling told AllThingsD. "He built a great team at United and we think he is going to do a fantastic job at Apple."

United Continental Holdings President and CEO Jeff Smisek said the company was "sorry Zane has decided to leave." Mr. Zane had worked for Continental Airlines since 1993.

Article Link: Apple Hires United Continental CFO as VP of Sales

wrldwzrd89 · Apr 16, 2012, 06:17 PM

Well this ought to be interesting, as hires go. Surely this person has sales experience in the airline business, but how could this benefit Apple? I don't see a direct benefit, since Apple does not offer air service. The closest thing they have is AirPort, but even that branding is going by the wayside.

ECUpirate44 · Apr 16, 2012, 06:20 PM

Say what?

noisycats · Apr 16, 2012, 06:24 PM

Clearly the next big thing is not the iTV, but some form of personal air travel. Perhaps the iAir or the iPlane.

Gentlemen, start your jet packs!

kyjaotkb · Apr 16, 2012, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrldwzrd89

Well this ought to be interesting, as hires go. Surely this person has sales experience in the airline business, but how could this benefit Apple? I don't see a direct benefit, since Apple does not offer air service. The closest thing they have is AirPort, but even that branding is going by the wayside.

An elegant way to say "first" :-)

----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by noisycats

Clearly the next big thing is not the iTV, but some form of personal air travel. Perhaps the iAir or the iPlane.

Gentlemen, start your jet packs!

Are they going to hire Starck on that transportation-related project as well?

*LTD* · Apr 16, 2012, 06:28 PM

Tim Cook isn't stupid. That's all you need to know for now.

Laird Knox · Apr 16, 2012, 06:35 PM

Apple will be moving away from the traditional brick and mortar shops. The future will be a fleet of Apple stores that fly to where they are needed most.

jontech · Apr 16, 2012, 07:05 PM

This means that if you order your Apple early enough it will cost less.

If you wait till they only have two in stock you will pay double!

deannnnn · Apr 16, 2012, 07:29 PM

Yeah because obviously his work revitalizing United & Continental is done

Scott6666 · Apr 16, 2012, 07:54 PM

That's what you need for sales. A good, experienced Chief FINANCIAL Officer.

Number nerds typically make great salespeople.

peteullo · Apr 16, 2012, 07:56 PM

I get it.. Kind of like getting a guy who runs a soda company to take over a computer business. Makes perfect sense!

LaWally · Apr 16, 2012, 08:08 PM

Here is a brief bio I found on the net:

Zane Rowe

Director, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of UAL, United and Continental
Continental Airlines, Inc.
Houston , TX
Sector: SERVICES / Major Airlines
Officer since September 2003

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of UAL, United and Continental , United Continental Holdings Inc
Chicago , IL
Sector: SERVICES / Major Airlines
Officer since October 2010

40 Years Old
Zane C. Rowe. Age 40. Mr. Rowe has been Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of UAL, United and Continental since October 2010. From August 2008 to September 2010, Mr. Rowe served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Continental. From September 2006 to August 2008, Mr. Rowe served as Senior Vice President?Network Strategy of Continental. From August 2005 to September 2006, Mr. Rowe served as Vice President?Network Strategy of Continental. From September 2003 to August 2005, Mr. Rowe served as Vice President?Financial Planning and Analysis of Continental. Mr. Rowe joined Continental in 1993.

On the surface it seems like a strange hire vis-vis industry and sales experience ... or lack thereof.

Ccrew · Apr 16, 2012, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrldwzrd89

Well this ought to be interesting, as hires go. Surely this person has sales experience in the airline business, but how could this benefit Apple? I don't see a direct benefit, since Apple does not offer air service. The closest thing they have is AirPort, but even that branding is going by the wayside.

They now have someone running sales that knows how to charge extra for everything

nissan.gtp · Apr 16, 2012, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *LTD*

Tim Cook isn't stupid. That's all you need to know for now.

We shall see.

rockametrics · Apr 16, 2012, 09:43 PM

Oh boy. Keep the bean counters out of SALES!!!!

zapnyc · Apr 16, 2012, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrldwzrd89

Well this ought to be interesting, as hires go. Surely this person has sales experience in the airline business, but how could this benefit Apple? I don't see a direct benefit, since Apple does not offer air service. The closest thing they have is AirPort, but even that branding is going by the wayside.

Continental's advertising and sales strategy for the past decade has been exceptionally smart and effective...a walk down any avenue in New York these past few years would tell you that. The signs were everywhere and very witty & smart. I think this guy is a perfect fit if he was in charge of that.

fontman · Apr 16, 2012, 11:16 PM

United airlines sucks everything about them sucks . This guy must suck big . I am selling my shares ASAP . @$@$ united airlines. this is a bad idea.

fruitycups · Apr 16, 2012, 11:58 PM

Continental was sooo amazing..

Sarcasm..

Bwinski · Apr 17, 2012, 12:31 AM

So, hiring a bean counter as a sales guy is, and has been forever, A DISASTER.

No wonder the stock is going straight down....

habubauza · Apr 17, 2012, 02:59 AM

As someone who travels on the US airlines at least 50 times a year, I can say that it is one of the most horrific experiences one can imagine. From security to disgustingly obnoxious flight attendants, poor schedules and the nickel and diming you to death, the US airlines by far offers one of worst modes of travel available today.

I would take Virgin, Singapore, Malaysian, even Lufthansa over any of the US airlines when traveling internationally. The US airline industry of today is an embarrassment and they should all be ashamed of themselves. The fact that Apple would tap an executive from this industry is nothing short of curious to me.

danielchow · Apr 17, 2012, 06:46 AM

i'm thinking he was probably hired for his expertise in finances, and logistics.

TymWork · Apr 17, 2012, 07:51 AM

I completely agree with above comments. US airline companies provide very poor services compared to international airlines, and the aircrafts are falling apart (at least in the cabin), If you have the chance to fly with Emirates, Ethiad, Singapore or many Far East airlines, even with some of the European carriers you realize how bad is the airline industry is in the US (even Air Canada is far superior), So, getting the VP Finance with such poor image as Continental (except maybe their advertisements), one should really worry.

To take someone from another industry is strategically not wrong, but a finance guy to takeover Apple sales, and on top of that coming from Continental. Yes I'm concerned!

----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by TymWork

I completely agree with above comments. US airline companies provide very poor services compared to international airlines, and the aircrafts are falling apart (at least in the cabin), If you have the chance to fly with Emirates, Ethiad, Singapore or many Far East airlines, even with some of the European carriers you realize how bad is the airline industry is in the US (even Air Canada is far superior), So, getting the VP Finance with such poor image as Continental (except maybe their advertisements), one should really worry.

To take someone from another industry is strategically not wrong, but a finance guy to takeover Apple sales, and on top of that coming from Continental. Yes I'm concerned!

In addition, VP sales are there to run the sales activities, not the logistic and or finance...it's the role of their other VP partners. A good sales executives requires specific competencies to run such activity and when we look at the background of this candidate, it seems that he has spent most of his time in finance. Hard to understand this recruitment!!!

ronjon10 · Apr 17, 2012, 08:06 AM

Apple is continuing is transition from a mega growth corporation to a mega stable corporation. Nothing wrong with that, it's an inevitable outcome.

yg17 · Apr 17, 2012, 08:09 AM

Because if anyone knows anything about selling good products to people at reasonable prices, it's an airline

Koodauw · Apr 17, 2012, 09:41 AM

He must be pretty talented though to be the CFO at only 40. Seems pretty young to me.

Apr 16, 2012, 06:17 PM	#2
wrldwzrd89 macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Solon, OH	Well this ought to be interesting, as hires go. Surely this person has sales experience in the airline business, but how could this benefit Apple? I don't see a direct benefit, since Apple does not offer air service. The closest thing they have is AirPort, but even that branding is going by the wayside. __________________ iMac Intel (Rev H, 27"), 1TB HDD, 16GB RAM, Ubuntu
	0

Apr 16, 2012, 06:20 PM	#3
ECUpirate44 macrumors 603 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NC	Say what? __________________ 2012 RMBP 2.3/8/256. 16Gb iPhone 5 Black & Slate.
	0

Apr 16, 2012, 07:05 PM	#8
jontech macrumors 6502 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Hawaii	This means that if you order your Apple early enough it will cost less. If you wait till they only have two in stock you will pay double! __________________ Psalm 91
	5

Apr 16, 2012, 07:29 PM	#9
deannnnn macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: New York City & South Florida	Yeah because obviously his work revitalizing United & Continental is done __________________ MacBook Pro (Retina) / iPhone 5 / iPad 1
	2

Apr 16, 2012, 07:54 PM	#10
Scott6666 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Feb 2008	That's what you need for sales. A good, experienced Chief FINANCIAL Officer. Number nerds typically make great salespeople. __________________ 13" MB Air i5 2011, iPhone 4S 64G, iPad3 4G 64, 27" i5 iMac (getting slow) \|\| basement museum: iPhone 1, Apple IIe, Mac SE, iPad1 3G 64 \|\| Apple Stock.
	1

Apr 16, 2012, 06:24 PM	#4
noisycats macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: MeijerLand	Clearly the next big thing is not the iTV, but some form of personal air travel. Perhaps the iAir or the iPlane. Gentlemen, start your jet packs!
	2

Apr 16, 2012, 06:28 PM	#6
LTD Banned Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Canada	Tim Cook isn't stupid. That's all you need to know for now.
	3

Apr 16, 2012, 06:35 PM	#7
Laird Knox macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2010	Apple will be moving away from the traditional brick and mortar shops. The future will be a fleet of Apple stores that fly to where they are needed most.
	4

Apr 16, 2012, 07:56 PM	#11
peteullo macrumors regular Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Scranton, PA	I get it.. Kind of like getting a guy who runs a soda company to take over a computer business. Makes perfect sense! __________________ Macbook Pro w/ Retina Display 2012 iPhone 5 iPad 4 LTE
	-1

Apr 16, 2012, 08:08 PM	#12
LaWally macrumors 6502a Join Date: Feb 2012	Here is a brief bio I found on the net: Zane Rowe Director, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of UAL, United and Continental Continental Airlines, Inc. Houston , TX Sector: SERVICES / Major Airlines Officer since September 2003 Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of UAL, United and Continental , United Continental Holdings Inc Chicago , IL Sector: SERVICES / Major Airlines Officer since October 2010 40 Years Old Zane C. Rowe. Age 40. Mr. Rowe has been Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of UAL, United and Continental since October 2010. From August 2008 to September 2010, Mr. Rowe served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Continental. From September 2006 to August 2008, Mr. Rowe served as Senior Vice President?Network Strategy of Continental. From August 2005 to September 2006, Mr. Rowe served as Vice President?Network Strategy of Continental. From September 2003 to August 2005, Mr. Rowe served as Vice President?Financial Planning and Analysis of Continental. Mr. Rowe joined Continental in 1993. On the surface it seems like a strange hire vis-vis industry and sales experience ... or lack thereof.
	1

Apr 16, 2012, 09:43 PM	#15
rockametrics macrumors regular Join Date: Apr 2010	Oh boy. Keep the bean counters out of SALES!!!! __________________ 27" iMac, i7, 1TB HD, 8 GB RAM; iPad 3rd Gen 32 GB VZW LTE; 32 GB Galaxy S3 Verizon LTE (2); 2nd Gen Apple TV's(2).
	-1

Apr 16, 2012, 11:16 PM	#17
fontman macrumors newbie Join Date: Jan 2009	United airlines sucks everything them sucks . United airlines sucks everything about them sucks . This guy must suck big . I am selling my shares ASAP . @$@$ united airlines. this is a bad idea.
	-2

Apr 16, 2012, 11:58 PM	#18
fruitycups macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2011	Continental was sooo amazing.. Sarcasm..
	0

Apr 17, 2012, 12:31 AM	#19
Bwinski macrumors member Join Date: Sep 2010	W t f ??? So, hiring a bean counter as a sales guy is, and has been forever, A DISASTER. No wonder the stock is going straight down....
	-2

Apr 17, 2012, 02:59 AM	#20
habubauza macrumors regular Join Date: Aug 2008	As someone who travels on the US airlines at least 50 times a year, I can say that it is one of the most horrific experiences one can imagine. From security to disgustingly obnoxious flight attendants, poor schedules and the nickel and diming you to death, the US airlines by far offers one of worst modes of travel available today. I would take Virgin, Singapore, Malaysian, even Lufthansa over any of the US airlines when traveling internationally. The US airline industry of today is an embarrassment and they should all be ashamed of themselves. The fact that Apple would tap an executive from this industry is nothing short of curious to me.
	1

Apr 17, 2012, 06:46 AM	#21
danielchow macrumors member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Philadelphia, PA	i'm thinking he was probably hired for his expertise in finances, and logistics.
	0

Apr 17, 2012, 08:06 AM	#23
ronjon10 macrumors regular Join Date: Dec 2009	Apple is continuing is transition from a mega growth corporation to a mega stable corporation. Nothing wrong with that, it's an inevitable outcome.
	0

Apr 17, 2012, 08:09 AM	#24
yg17 macrumors G5 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: St. Louis, MO	Because if anyone knows anything about selling good products to people at reasonable prices, it's an airline __________________ Barack Obama is not a foreign born, brown skinned, anti-war socialist who gives away healthcare. You're thinking of Jesus.
	0

Apr 17, 2012, 09:41 AM	#25
Koodauw macrumors 68040 Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Madison	He must be pretty talented though to be the CFO at only 40. Seems pretty young to me.
	0

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