Wheels Up adds McKenna as Chief Product Officer

Groupon alum Gene McKenna will oversee the entire Wheels Up product portfolio with the objective of growing its digital platform

Wheels Up continues to add executive management with the appointment of Gene McKenna as Chief Product Officer.

According to a press release, the position will play a critical role as the company continues to build out its marketplace platform as a leading demand generator in the industry.

McKenna will oversee the entire product portfolio, developing and driving the vision, roadmap, and strategy to accelerate the company’s growth.

McKenna joins Wheels Up with 18 years of product management experience and a decade of software engineering experience.

During his career, he founded and sold two internet companies in the events and travel industries. He has held leadership positions at large corporations, including Acxiom Digital and Groupon. McKenna brings expertise in delivering designs that drive customer growth through marketing and data analytics.
 
“Gene has the background and experience we need to deliver a leading-edge marketplace platform to private aviation,” said Vinayak Hegde, Chief Marketplace Officer, who joined Wheels Up in May.

“As we accelerate our investment in technology and product offerings, Gene’s passion for innovation and commitment to building a world-class product for our Members and Customers is unparalleled.”
  
McKenna holds degrees from MIT and Stanford University. While there, he focused on computer science, human-computer interaction, and real-world applications of technology in traditional business and academic settings.