Skift Take

It will be a new era at Expedia Group with Ariane Gorin taking charge.

In a stunner that few observers saw coming, Expedia Group announced CEO Peter Kern will step down from his post and Ariane Gorin will succeed him, effective May 13.

Gorin is currently president of Expedia for Business, and will take a seat on an expanded board of directors, effective February 12. To make room for Gorin, Expedia Group expanded the board to 13 members.

When she takes the CEO post on May 13, she will also become a member of the board's executive committee.

The company announced the changes Thursday after market hours.

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Gorin would become