ECS Group names Hernandez as Americas COO

ECS Group has appointed Francisco Hernandez as its chief operating officer for the Americas.

He is expected to work closely with Joao Ferreira, chief commercial officer – Americas to create what the GSSA group says will be “a more integrated Americas organisation capable of scaling while continuing to uphold close customer relationships and maintaining local market expertise”.

ECS Group is strengthening its regional management structure as it prepares for further expansion across the Americas.

As COO, Hernandez’s focus will be on “building and deepening ECS Group’s airline partnerships, developing flexible, tailored solution models, and embedding digital capabilities for improved customer service”.

He will be responsible for regional coordination and operational execution of the Group’s Americas strategy, and alongside Ferreira, work to establish a “streamlined Americas organisation that has the flexibility to grow and adapt, while maintaining the customer-centricity and market knowledge that the Group is known for”.

Hernandez has been with ECS Group for 16 years and has worked closely with commercial, customer service and operational teams in the US.

He has built up extensive understanding of its operations, airline partners, teams, local market realities, and customer needs.

Jean Ceccaldi, ECS Group’s chief executive, commented: “Across the globe, our ECS Group mission is to transform the traditional GSA business model by leveraging the ideal combination of digital capabilities and human expertise to drive commercial resilience and growth.

“Who better to lead operations in the Americas than someone who has been so actively involved in establishing its US airline portfolio and has in-depth comprehension of CargoTech’s digital capabilities?”

Hernandez remarked: “Getting the Americas to operate as one connected network will open up many opportunities and offer far greater customer value.

“By sharing market intelligence, coordinating key accounts, and developing cross-border and interline flows, our local teams will be in a stronger position to serve customers and offer fast solutions across the US, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

“My first priority, therefore, is team connection and capability alignment to create a solid operating rhythm across the entire Americas.

“Clear accountability, consistent performance management and faster escalation and decision-making will ensure and strengthen service quality for our airline partners.”

Plus, he added: “Digital transformation will also be a key enabler to consistently improving productivity, responsiveness, and decision-making across the region.

“Customers should experience ECS Group as one connected Americas organisation – locally expert, operationally consistent, digitally enabled, and able to mobilise the strength of the wider Group.”