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Mr. Katsumi Chiyo, President & CEO |
Katsumi Chiyo was appointed President and CEO of JAL Hotels Co., Ltd. in June 2008.
Prior to his current position, Chiyo was President and CEO of JALways Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. (JAL), JAL Hotels’ parent company. He has been with JAL for 38 years, since graduating from Waseda University with a degree in Political Science and Economics.
Chiyo has held numerous executive positions over the years, both inside Japan and in the United States, including serving on the board of directors of JAL. Among other management skills, he has developed an in-depth expertise in the sales and marketing area. He has led a number of new business development programs at JAL, discovering untapped markets and expanding the company’s worldwide business. For example, he initiated a “sports & culture desk” within JAL to launch and to promote various events that stimulate travel. This resulted in the expansion of the outbound Japanese travel market.
While he was in sales and marketing, he spent 14 years in the advertising division. From 1977-1981, he was in charge of advertising for North and South America, working in JAL’s New York office. In the ‘90’s, he returned to the New York office as Vice President, Passenger Marketing for The Americas, and led the U.S. sales and marketing department of JAL. He played an important role in introducing New York State’s “I ♥ NY” campaign in Japan and launched a U.S. women’s professional golf tournament, “JAL Big Apple Classic.” Chiyo describes the 10 years he lived and worked in New York as both personally and professionally rewarding and fulfilling.
After returning to Tokyo, Chiyo was appointed Managing Director and Senior Vice President, Japan Air Charter Co., Ltd. (now JALways, Co., Ltd.) Under his leadership, JALways grew significantly, both in terms of market expansion and improved financials, and as a result, the company now accounts for 25 percent of all the JAL Group’s international flights.
Outside of his activities at JAL, Chiyo served as a visiting lecturer on the airline business at Chuo for several years, sharing his knowledge with future industry executives. University
Chiyo enjoys playing golf, watching all kinds of sports and listening to music. He lives with his wife and their dog, a West Highland White Terrier.
