Former Continental Chief Named Chair of Sabre

Larry Kellner, who retired from Continental Airlines as chairman and CEO in 2009, joined Sabre Holdings as non-executive chairman of the board of directors. Kellner is president of Emerald Creek Group, a private equity firm that focuses on real estate; he serves on the boards of Boeing Co., Chubb Corp. and Marriott International.

Kellner succeeds Sam Gilliland, who stepped down as Sabre Holdings CEO on Aug. 15, a week before Sabre’s Travelocity unit announced its affiliate agreement with Expedia, its chief rival. Gilliland will remain on Sabre’s board of directors.