Tom Edwards, Former Visa & Skymall Executive, Passes Away

Tom C. Edwards, best known for his work in travel at Visa and SkyMall, has died. Most recently Edwards served as president of Phoenix-based Edwards Group Inc., his own marketing and advertising firm. Prior to that he was chief marketing officer for Phoenix-based SkyMall.

Edwards was best known in the travel industry from his tenure with Visa USA, where he worked from 1989 to 1999 in various roles. At Visa, Edwards was known for creating innovative programs for the travel industry and travel agents in particular. He helped arrange top keynote speakers for the ASTA World Congress during that period and was a major supporter of retail travel agents.

Edwards also developed relationships between Visa and such top travel companies as Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International, United Airlines and American Airlines, as well as retail giants Kmart and Target Stores

When he joined Visa in 1989, he created and built Visa’s Travel & Entertainment segment, which became one of its fastest-growing and most profitable divisions, with more than $100 billion in sales volume. In 1996, Edwards was promoted to head of Visa’s major established markets and global key accounts. Under his direction, this group grew to represent 83 percent of all Visa business by significantly expanding Visa’s electronic commerce activities. His last post at Visa was senior vice president of emerging technology and business development.

“Tom was an active member of the travel community, and was always seeking to leverage the power of Visa for the benefit of travel agents and the travel industry. Many of the relationships that Tom helped created are still in place today.  He will be very much missed,” said Doug Gollan, TMR Management Board Member.

Prior to his work at Visa, Edwards served as vice president of marketing and product development at Citicorp Credit Services Inc. and in various marketing and management positions with the American Express.

Edwards, a native of Philadelphia, earned his bachelor’s degree and master’s in business administration from Pennsylvania State University.