American Express president Ed Gilligan has died suddenly.

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American Express president Ed Gilligan has died suddenly, the company said in a statement Friday. He was 55.

 

He became seriously ill on a flight home to New York this morning, the statement said.

 

"This is deeply painful and frankly unimaginable for all of us who had the great fortune to work with Ed, and benefit from his insights, leadership and enthusiasm," CEO Ken Chenault said in a letter to employees.

 

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Lisa, and their four children – Katie, Meaghan, Kevin and Shane. He was a proud husband and father, and his love for his family was evident in all that he did."

 

Gilligan became president of American Express in April 2013 after serving as vice chairman from 2007. He joined the credit-card and financial-services giant in 1980.

 

Gilligan earned a bachelor's degree in economics and management from New York University.

 

In afternoon trading, American Express shares were down about 0.5%.

 

 

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/american-express-president-ed-gilligan-183800593.html