American Express President Ed Gilligan Dies After Becoming Ill on Flight
Kenneth Chenault, chairman and CEO of American Express, announced the news in a letter to employees.
“With the heaviest of hearts, I must share some devastating news. Ed Gilligan — president of our company and friend and inspiration to many inside and outside American Express — became seriously ill on a flight home to New York this morning and has passed away,” he wrote.
The cause of his death wasn’t revealed.
Gilligan started working for American Express when he was 20 as an intern and eventually worked his way up to vice chairman in 2007 and president in 2013.
“He was a champion of diversity and employee development, and his mentorship has helped create a legacy of strong leaders wherever he went,” Chenault wrote.
Gilligan is survived by his wife, Lisa, and four children, Katie, Meaghan, Kevin and Shane.
