Uber gets its 1st-ever COO, hires former Orbitz CEO Harford

Ride-hailing startup Uber has appointed its first-ever Chief Operating Officer (COO), selecting Barney Harford, the former CEO of online travel site Orbitz, for the post. Harford, who also sits on United Airline's board, had been working as an advisor at Uber since October. He will report directly to CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, making him the second highest-ranking executive at the startup.