Uber Technologies on Tuesday night confirmed that it has hired
Expedia CEO Dara Khosrowshahi to run the company.
"We are delighted to announce that Uber's board has
voted unanimously to appoint Dara Khosrowshahi to be our new CEO," Uber's
board of directors wrote in an e-mail to employees that was posted on the
company's website. "We're really fortunate to gain a leader with Dara's
experience, talent and vision."
Expedia chairman Barry Diller, in an e-mail he sent
to company employees on Monday, acknowledged that it was Khosrowshahi's intention
to accept the Uber job.
"He's devoted 12 great years to building this company,
and if this is what he wants for his next adventure it will be with my best
wishes," Diller said.
Khosrowshahi takes over a company whose market value has
been estimated as high as $70 billion, more than three times Expedia's, but has
reportedly never made money and has been beset by criticism of its corporate
culture and leadership. Co-founder Travis Kalanick stepped down as CEO in June
but remains on the board.