The 2016 Executive Excellence Awards: Bob Dzielak

Expedias big round of acquisitions, which includes the $1.3 billion purchase of Orbitz and $3.9 billion vacation rental site HomeAway, have provided plenty of work for Bob Dzielak. As the companys general counsel, he has guided most of the negotiations that have helped make the travel website a huge presence in the Seattle area.

Although the flurry may appear sudden to most, Dzielak credits his department with exercising great patience during the long months of following the details and clearing regulatory hurdles. People get excited about these big bets by the company, he explains, but theres a long path to getting these deals done.

Dzielak joined Expedia in 2006 as a litigator, leaving his partnership with the law firm Preston Gates & Ellis to take charge of the growing companys portfolio of class action and patent suits. Formally appointed general counsel in 2012, he built out Expedias in-house legal team to support global operations.

In his 10 years at Expedia, Dzielak notes his work has changed a great deal, to support an increasingly global company. We have to be nimble and quick, he says. Who knows what this world looks like five years from now? We have to always be ready.

Dzielak joined Expedia in 2006 as a litigator, leaving his partnership with the law firm Preston Gates & Ellis to take charge of the growing companys portfolio of class action and patent suits. Formally appointed general counsel in 2012, he built out Expedias in-house legal team to support global operations.

In his 10 years at Expedia, Dzielak notes his work has changed a great deal, to support an increasingly global company. We have to be nimble and quick, he says. Who knows what this world looks like five years from now? We have to always be ready.