Found Deceased IL - Jake Cefolia, 49, jogging, car found, SVP of United Airlines, Chicago, 6 Aug 2020

[CaliMar]

Just reading this case. Has his phone been located?

It was located at his home along with his smartwatch.

 

[Cubby]

Here is a video of Jake in a United webinar July 23, about two weeks before the disappearance. You can choose join anonymously and see the playback. He appears about 37 minutes in. FYI the background doesn't match his home for sale.

Join conversation

Also here's a similar webinar from June 3rd for comparison - here the background matches his home - he looks less stressed in this one.

Join conversation

--------------
The public property record on the source I use still listed Jake - no change since 2016 but maybe there's a lag.

-------------

Re: the organization he's on the board of - that's the GBTA. The CEO there stepped down recently for a laundry list of 'big ego behaves badly' things - but if this somehow involved criminal activity with Jake not sure why Elmhurst would be the one investigating vs federal. So the connection of this to the criminal side seems off.

GBTA CEO Solombrino Under Fire After Anonymous Whistleblower Alleges Misconduct | Business Travel News

------------

Jake's last Linkedin activity was liking a post of an old United commercial that talked about using United to do face to face meetings.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-cefolia-0578102/detail/recent-activity/

Warren R. Wilkinson on LinkedIn: 7L: United Airlines Commercial 1990 "Speech" | 11 comments

He also liked a post about the new CEO of GBTA they installed - they recruited Jake's old boss out of retirement.

Jake Cefolia posted on LinkedIn


On July 30 he wrote the below message to United's sales customers...he had just been forced to lay off a large part of his staff. Red is my emphasis.

I want to believe he is alive - missing deliberately would be a much better outcome. He's been under an incredible amount of stress and his life revolved around the business of biz travel which got unfathomably disrupted in the last few months. Then add whatever investigation going on and it's a heavy load. All that stress could point to either outcome.

"
To our travel partners,

This is by far one of the most difficult letters I’ve ever had to write.

Over the past few months, we’ve said “safe travels” to friends and teammates alike as they made profoundly personal sacrifices and took voluntary separation packages from United. More recently, we’ve made extremely difficult decisions as we become a smaller airline whose size better aligns with today’s deeply decreased demand for travel. These decisions have human consequences, and we are yet again saying goodbye to colleagues who have helped shape us as a company.

As we go our separate ways, we cherish and celebrate good memories, of which there have been so many. Consolation exists in the knowledge that we live in a connected world, and even coronavirus won’t stop us from seeing each other again soon. For those leaving us, I will never be able to do justice to what they have meant to our company, our team and to our customers. I hope you’ll join me in a heartfelt thank you and wishing them the best in whatever the future may hold.

It’s not hyperbole to say that our business essentially went away for a while, but that did provide a moment of pause to look forward and determine how to not just survive but eventually thrive – with you and for you. I’ve committed to transparency, and I’d like to share the ways in which we’ll be reshaping the structure and strategy of Worldwide Sales. We’ve conducted this exercise with three primary goals:

• Create a workforce appropriately sized for expected future demand and built to respond quickly when things meaningfully improve.
• Focus our resources in areas where the most travel and purchasing activity is projected for the next few years.
• Maintain strong relationships with our customers and TMCs while leveraging technology and centralized account management where we may not be as present as before.

I believe we’ve accomplished these goals while concurrently arriving at the best possible outcomes for our business relationship. Our team will be connecting with each of you individually over the next two weeks to address any changes and plot a path forward with minimal disruption to your business.

Not all of the conversations will be easy as the future may not look like the past. Please know that we consider this to be a new baseline from which we’ll listen, learn, adapt and ultimately grow together. We may not get everything right initially, and for that I apologize, but we count on your feedback to help us understand where we should course correct.

Coronavirus has changed so much, but through it all we remain committed to core principles that will not change under any circumstances. We are, above all, committed to the safety and well-being of you and your travelers. We will do everything within our means to deliver best-in-class service and support. We will be consultative and deliver creative solutions and thoughtful answers to today’s extraordinary problems and questions. We will be attentive, caring, and honest. We will never take your business for granted and will earn it every single day.

I encourage you to reach out to me and my leadership team with any concerns or questions as we work through this process. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we chart our new course."

Excellent first post, welcome to WS!

 

[Rick_hadlee]

Many people in this country disappear without a trace every year. While any outcome is possible, it is not very likely he will be found alive under the circumstances. Going off the grid is not as easy as it sounds.

 

[carterkatt]

Well, if you go missing and they find your car at a train station that's a strong suggestion that you've taken a train. In this case, there's no evidence (reported at least, as of yet) that he traveled outside the park. If they found his car at a bus station or at the airport, that would be more similar.

I'm sorry... I should have been more clear. With Robert Mayer's case, it is not believed he took a train, yet his car was found there.

 

[Tonight]

Here is a video of Jake in a United webinar July 23, about two weeks before the disappearance. You can choose join anonymously and see the playback. He appears about 37 minutes in. FYI the background doesn't match his home for sale.

Join conversation

Also here's a similar webinar from June 3rd for comparison - here the background matches his home - he looks less stressed in this one.

Join conversation

--------------
The public property record on the source I use still listed Jake - no change since 2016 but maybe there's a lag.

-------------

Re: the organization he's on the board of - that's the GBTA. The CEO there stepped down recently for a laundry list of 'big ego behaves badly' things - but if this somehow involved criminal activity with Jake not sure why Elmhurst would be the one investigating vs federal. So the connection of this to the criminal side seems off.

GBTA CEO Solombrino Under Fire After Anonymous Whistleblower Alleges Misconduct | Business Travel News

------------

Jake's last Linkedin activity was liking a post of an old United commercial that talked about using United to do face to face meetings.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-cefolia-0578102/detail/recent-activity/

Warren R. Wilkinson on LinkedIn: 7L: United Airlines Commercial 1990 "Speech" | 11 comments

He also liked a post about the new CEO of GBTA they installed - they recruited Jake's old boss out of retirement.

Jake Cefolia posted on LinkedIn


On July 30 he wrote the below message to United's sales customers...he had just been forced to lay off a large part of his staff. Red is my emphasis.

I want to believe he is alive - missing deliberately would be a much better outcome. He's been under an incredible amount of stress and his life revolved around the business of biz travel which got unfathomably disrupted in the last few months. Then add whatever investigation going on and it's a heavy load. All that stress could point to either outcome.

"
To our travel partners,

This is by far one of the most difficult letters I’ve ever had to write.

Over the past few months, we’ve said “safe travels” to friends and teammates alike as they made profoundly personal sacrifices and took voluntary separation packages from United. More recently, we’ve made extremely difficult decisions as we become a smaller airline whose size better aligns with today’s deeply decreased demand for travel. These decisions have human consequences, and we are yet again saying goodbye to colleagues who have helped shape us as a company.

As we go our separate ways, we cherish and celebrate good memories, of which there have been so many. Consolation exists in the knowledge that we live in a connected world, and even coronavirus won’t stop us from seeing each other again soon. For those leaving us, I will never be able to do justice to what they have meant to our company, our team and to our customers. I hope you’ll join me in a heartfelt thank you and wishing them the best in whatever the future may hold.

It’s not hyperbole to say that our business essentially went away for a while, but that did provide a moment of pause to look forward and determine how to not just survive but eventually thrive – with you and for you. I’ve committed to transparency, and I’d like to share the ways in which we’ll be reshaping the structure and strategy of Worldwide Sales. We’ve conducted this exercise with three primary goals:

• Create a workforce appropriately sized for expected future demand and built to respond quickly when things meaningfully improve.
• Focus our resources in areas where the most travel and purchasing activity is projected for the next few years.
• Maintain strong relationships with our customers and TMCs while leveraging technology and centralized account management where we may not be as present as before.

I believe we’ve accomplished these goals while concurrently arriving at the best possible outcomes for our business relationship. Our team will be connecting with each of you individually over the next two weeks to address any changes and plot a path forward with minimal disruption to your business.

Not all of the conversations will be easy as the future may not look like the past. Please know that we consider this to be a new baseline from which we’ll listen, learn, adapt and ultimately grow together. We may not get everything right initially, and for that I apologize, but we count on your feedback to help us understand where we should course correct.

Coronavirus has changed so much, but through it all we remain committed to core principles that will not change under any circumstances. We are, above all, committed to the safety and well-being of you and your travelers. We will do everything within our means to deliver best-in-class service and support. We will be consultative and deliver creative solutions and thoughtful answers to today’s extraordinary problems and questions. We will be attentive, caring, and honest. We will never take your business for granted and will earn it every single day.

I encourage you to reach out to me and my leadership team with any concerns or questions as we work through this process. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we chart our new course."

I would actually argue the opposite about his location in the two webinars. I think it looks like he is in his home in the one on July 23rd but doesn't appear to be in his home on the 3rd. See screenshots below.

 

[Tonight]

I just found the announcement of his promotion to SVP. Most ironically, it is dated AUG 6, 2018. What is interesting to me about that is that I wonder if he possibly had something in his contract that happened after 2 years? Sometimes that could be a stock option, fully vested, bonus, etc.

If it was something like this, it would be one more indicator he left of his own accord. Of course, United would know this as would authorities, likely. But, why would he want to leave?

United Airlines Names Jake Cefolia Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales

United Airlines Names Jake Cefolia Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales
August 06, 2018

CHICAGO, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines today announced Jake Cefolia has been promoted to senior vice president of Worldwide Sales. A veteran sales leader, he will be responsible for directing the efforts of a team of 725 sales professionals who manage sales programs, services, relationships and revenue with corporations, travel management companies and distributors around the world.
......
Cefolia will report to Scott Kirby, president of United, and begins his new role today. He succeeds Dave Hilfman, who announced earlier this year his plans to retire. Hilfman will continue to serve in an advisory capacity through the end of 2018.
...
"It's an honor for me to build on the already strong foundation established by my predecessor and friend, Dave Hilfman," said Cefolia.

I also noticed this, what jumped out to me is that there is typically a 2 year suicide clause in life insurance policies. I'm not sure if his promotion would mean that he got an upgraded life insurance policy, but it seemed like it could be more than a coincidence. I know that it takes 7 years for a missing person to be declared legally dead, but if he has high school age children this could still be a motivation.

 

[enelram]

The Find page is unraveling

definitely.....
<modsnip>

 

[Orgona]

I would actually argue the opposite about his location in the two webinars. I think it looks like he is in his home in the one on July 23rd but doesn't appear to be in his home on the 3rd. See screenshots below.

I’m sorry, for some reason I can’t open those webinars to see. I’m wondering if you meant that those pictures you’ve attached aren’t in the same house, because to my eyes they are definitely the same with the same painting in the background with the same wood like wall paper on the wall. If that’s not what you mean then my mistake. Then the key of the matter should be in the videos I couldn’t watch.
I do hope he will be found soon enough.

 

[enelram]

Guessing that JC's job was eleminated due to
Covid and airline's necessity to cut expenses.
If Oct. 1st was his job ending deadline then his
activity selling his house co-incides based on the price reductions.
Listed home for sale-6/13- $589.900
price reduction- 7/16-574,900
2nd price reduction 8/3- 549,900
pending sale 8/5/20
Back on market- 8/18/20

United cuts 13 high-level executives as travel demand 'still a very long way from where it was'

 

[Tonight]

I’m sorry, for some reason I can’t open those webinars to see. I’m wondering if you meant that those pictures you’ve attached aren’t in the same house, because to my eyes they are definitely the same with the same painting in the background with the same wood like wall paper on the wall. If that’s not what you mean then my mistake. Then the key of the matter should be in the videos I couldn’t watch.
I do hope he will be found soon enough.

Sorry I wasn't very clear in my post. I posted the two pictures to say that I think that they are the same location. The original post said that it was the other way around.

 

[sfomspphl]

I would actually argue the opposite about his location in the two webinars. I think it looks like he is in his home in the one on July 23rd but doesn't appear to be in his home on the 3rd. See screenshots below.

Thanks didn't see that wall - good eye!

Diggindeeperstill's post about his promotion date of Aug 6 2018 is also very intriguing.

 

[tandemcamel]

Guessing that JC's job was eleminated due to
Covid and airline's necessity to cut expenses.
If Oct. 1st was his job ending deadline then his
activity selling his house co-incides based on the price reductions.
Listed home for sale-6/13- $589.900
price reduction- 7/16-574,900
2nd price reduction 8/3- 549,900
pending sale 8/5/20
Back on market- 8/18/20

United cuts 13 high-level executives as travel demand 'still a very long way from where it was'

JC was not part of the United executives who left/were asked to leave due to COVID-19 — those names are out there in a few places. One source below but will add others as I find them.

It’s possible he may have been asked to take a continued massive pay cut or to take on more responsibilities as of Oct 1, or both, plus he would’ve had to let go many employees under him. But I don’t believe his role itself was in danger due to COVID-19.
United Announces Executive Team Cuts | Business Travel News

 

[diggndeeperstill]

Guessing that JC's job was eleminated due to
Covid and airline's necessity to cut expenses.
If Oct. 1st was his job ending deadline then his
activity selling his house co-incides based on the price reductions.
Listed home for sale-6/13- $589.900
price reduction- 7/16-574,900
2nd price reduction 8/3- 549,900
pending sale 8/5/20
Back on market- 8/18/20

United cuts 13 high-level executives as travel demand 'still a very long way from where it was'

Honestly, it would seem that this home is very inexpensive for him. I would think it *could* be easy to walk away from this. I have heard no mention of other properties he may own.

 

[Arizonagrl]

Honestly, it would seem that this home is very inexpensive for him. I would think it *could* be easy to walk away from this. I have heard no mention of other properties he may own.

Not sure if he was paying alimony or a lump sum to his ex when they got divorced, but he was most likely paying child support and he took a huge pay cut back in February. Combined with stress of laying off coworkers/ friends, and company bleeding financially...it’s the perfect storm IMO

 

[diggndeeperstill]

United Airlines Executive Still Missing, 20 Days Later | One Mile at a Time


BBM

• On Thursday, August 6, Cefolia returned from California, and was seen at home by family and coworkers
• On Friday, August 7, Cefolia missed a corporate event; however, he was seen on video getting gas at around 10AM, and was also seen on video entering Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve, wearing hiking boots and khakis (which isn’t typically what you’d wear if you’re going on a jog)
• He didn’t take any traceable devices with him, as his cell phone and Apple Watch were both found at home
• On Saturday, August 8, Cefolia was reported missing
• On Monday, August 10, Cefolia’s family hired a private investigator
• On Friday, August 14, and Saturday, August 15, large searches of the Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve were carried out
• During searches, articles of clothing were found, which were turned over to police; at least the shoes were not Cefolila’s, while it’s not clear if a shirt that was found was his
• A rotting smell was also reported, but that turned out to be a decaying deer

 

[Orgona]

This case is so intriguing. I don’t have much to add just following. What is baffling is what he didn’t took with him.

I can still see an accident or medical event somewhere where he is concealed somehow and will only be found accidentally if ever.

I can see self harm because of personal or work stress.

If he disappeared himself, I don’t think people in his line of work can keep living a low profile doing odd jobs to come by for long. It’s not impossible, but that’s not high on my list.

Maybe he met somebody somewhere on purpose or accidentally who held a grudge against him and that person harmed him and concealed his body well.

 

[diggndeeperstill]

Not sure if he was paying alimony or a lump sum to his ex when they got divorced, but he was most likely paying child support and he took a huge pay cut back in February. Combined with stress of laying off coworkers/ friends, and company bleeding financially...it’s the perfect storm IMO

I just disagree. Experience with this level of executive and income would lead me to believe he must have a huge savings, huge retirement plan, and plenty of assets. 20+ years with one company would add to that. Now, whether or not he’s accessing it or had accessed any of the funds available to him would be my question.

He has lots of experience in other countries, served on boards with other execs of large companies, he has the knowledge, wherewithal, and connections to disappear if he wanted to. MOO.

Here is a link with info on some of the boards he has served on.
Company Leadership | United Airlines Holdings, Inc.
Jake has been an active leader in regional business organizations, including serving on the Boards of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Young Leaders Circle of the Executives’ Club of Chicago.

 

[diggndeeperstill]

I found he has his pilots license. (I think it’s active, someone verify)

Does he have a plane?
FAA Registry - Airmen - AirmenInquiry - Name Search

 

[Orgona]

To successfully disappear one needs money, it doesn’t matter how much money one has made in his life, what matters is if he can access it. I suspect officially missing persons bank accounts are flagged/watched. If you can’t use your own money, you have to find other ways to support yourself. New high paying job is out of the question as it would lead back to your SS Nr I suppose.

 

[diggndeeperstill]

To successfully disappear one needs money, it doesn’t matter how much money one has made in his life, what matters is if he can access it. I suspect officially missing persons bank accounts are flagged/watched. If you can’t use your own money, you have to find other ways to support yourself. New high paying job is out of the question as it would lead back to your SS Nr I suppose.

Well people can go missing if they want to. They can’t access a missing adults bank account, phone records, Facebook or anything without a warrant or a court order. They don’t miraculously watch missing peoples bank accounts. Now if family members have access and are able to do that that’s a different story.