EDS names Michael O Hulley to lead Transportation Global Industry Solutions Group

Strengthening its global leadership in the transportation industry, EDS today announced the appointment of Michael O Hulley as president, Transportation Global Industry Solutions, effective 16 August.

Hulley reports to Paul Chiapparone, vice-chairman of EDS. Hulley, who comes to EDS from IBM, replaces Jim Dullum, who becomes enterprise client executive for the company`s Sabre account. Under Dullum`s direction, EDS became the number one provider of global IT infrastructure services to the airline industry.

"Having designed and implemented marketing and business development strategies for many leading companies in the transportation industry, Mike has a deep understanding of how business-based solutions built on information technology can continue to support business growth in that key sector, and we are delighted to have him join the worldwide EDS team," Chiapparone said.

"Jim Dullum and the Transportation team have built a world-class capability for EDS, making our company the leading IT services provider to the airline industry. We thank him for his efforts to date and now entrust him with our key relationship with Sabre," Chiapparone said. "Now Mike, with his deep industry background and a track record of combining strategy development with solid business execution, can build on Jim`s accomplishments to drive EDS` growth forward across the entire transportation sector."

Hulley most recently served as vice-president and general manager for IBM`s World Wide Travel and Transportation industry unit. Prior to joining IBM in 1997, he served as vice-president of Travel and Transportation for Siemens Nixdorf and as vice-president of Professional Services for its predecessor company, Covia Technologies/Galileo.

Hulley began his career as a TPF programmer with Delta before joining United Airlines. He served in a variety of managerial assignments with United until 1988, when United Airlines` IT organisation was spun off as Covia. Hulley was appointed director of Covia`s Artificial Intelligence Group and stayed with Covia and its subsequent corporate structures until joining IBM in 1997.

As Transportation Industry Solutions president, Hulley will be responsible for setting and implementing strategic initiatives and new service offerings that drive EDS` revenue growth in the transportation industry. His team will represent the full portfolio of EDS` transportation services offerings to new clients around the world, including air carriers, airports, logistics and transport enterprises, hotel companies, cruise lines and major travel reservations networks.

"Joining EDS provides a tremendous opportunity to help link the power of secure e-business to the critical needs of the vital global transportation industry," said Hulley. "EDS has the talent, client commitment and global scale to help the industry transform and tackle the challenges caused by last year`s terrorist attacks. With its strong foundation, EDS will continue to take the lead in providing innovative IT services to help the transportation industry accelerate its business transformation."

EDS acquired Sabre`s airline infrastructure outsourcing business and internal IT infrastructure assets in 2001, and signed agreements in 2001 and 2002 to deliver IT services to the former clients of Atraxis, Swissair Group`s IT subsidiary. EDS currently has more than 9 000 people serving more than 300 transportation clients - including 109 domestic and international air carriers as well as governmental agencies, freight and distribution businesses, and hospitality and travel firms.

EDS` eight global industry solutions organisations - Communications, Entertainment & Media; Consumer & Retail; Energy; Financial; Government; Healthcare; Manufacturing; and Transportation - help drive the company`s growth and market share within industry segments. EDS` industry experts work closely with the company`s four lines of business to identify growth opportunities.