Pacific Gateway CEO Joe Waller is leaving his position to take a CEO position with an East Coast-based company.
Erik Ward will take over as CEO of the California-based concessions company. Ward joined Pacific Gateway in 2016 as vice president of business development.
“I am absolutely thrilled that our owners selected Erik to step in,” says Waller. “It’s something that I supported wholeheartedly.” Waller, who led Pacific Gateway for nearly three years, said a “great opportunity” prompted his departure but declined at this time to reveal his new company.
Ward called Pacific Gateway’s ascent in the industry an “inspiring story of an operator that successfully graduated from the ACDBE program, and now competes on the same level as the multi-national operators that have dominated our industry for so long.”
He adds: “I could not be more honored and excited to lead this organization as we open 20 new store locations over the next 12 months and continue to drive this industry forward though innovation.”
Prior to his time with Pacific Gateway, Ward served as vice president of leasing with Westfield’s shopping center division, and also served in the San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development.
Waller has had a long tenure in the airport concessions business. Prior to leading Pacific Gateway, he held roles at Westfield and HMSHost.
