Story ID: 
Wheels Up Names Vinayak Hegde as President
By: Jerry Siebenmark
Caption: Hegde came to Wheels Up in May and has more than 20 years of experience in technology, marketing, and product development.
Word Count: 200
Wheels Up chief marketplace officer Vinayak Hegde has been promoted to president as the private aviation membership company seeks to expand its customer base beyond its traditional membership model. As president, Hegde will continue to report to Wheels Up chairman and CEO Kenny Dichter.

Hegde, who came to Wheels Up in May, has more than 20 years of experience in technology, marketing, and product development with companies such as Amazon and Airbnb. “Vinayak has successfully leveraged his proven, successful track record with product, engineering, sales, marketing, data, and operations to deliver substantial value to the enterprise,” Dichter said. “Over the last five months, Vinayak has immersed himself in our business and has rapidly implemented several system enhancements, driving disciplined reporting rooted in transparency and accountability, and hired key leaders, which enables us to take Wheels Up to the next level, at an accelerated pace.”

As president, Hegde will take on the additional duties of developing and implementing a seamless and holistic approach to the customer, from sales to the management of the experience and loyalty of the company's members and customers, according to Wheels Up. He also will lead key strategic initiatives across the company.