NEW YORK, Nov. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- American Express Company today announced that Jonathan S. Linen, 62, the company's vice chairman, has decided to retire at the end of this year. Since becoming vice chairman in 1993, Mr. Linen has represented American Express in relationships with key corporate clients, current and prospective business partners, governmental entities and industry associations. As a member of the company's Global Leadership Team for the past five years, he has played a key role in helping to develop the company's overall strategic direction. Mr. Linen will continue to serve as an adviser to American Express and will represent the company on industry and government advisory committees. From 1992 to 1993, Mr. Linen served as president and chief operating officer of American Express Travel Related Services (TRS) with direct responsibility for all of the company's card and travel businesses. From 1989 to 1992, he was president and chief executive officer of Shearson Lehman Brothers (which American Express then owned), where he led the turn-around of Shearson's asset management and retail businesses. Throughout the early and mid-1980s, he was president of the Travel Services Division, and in the course of his career, also led the Travelers Cheque, Retail Travel and Establishment Services businesses. Mr. Linen joined American Express in 1969. "Jon has been a mentor to me, as well as to many people throughout American Express," said Ken Chenault, chairman and chief executive officer, American Express Company. "I want to thank him for the outstanding leadership he has provided to the company for nearly four decades." American Express Company (http://www.americanexpress.com/) is a leading global payments, network and travel company founded in 1850. DATASOURCE: American Express CONTACT: Judy Tenzer of American Express Company, +1-212-640-0555, Web site: http://www.americanexpress.com/

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