DALLAS — April 5, 2010 — Gary Kelly, Southwest Airlines Chairman, President, and CEO recently announced several changes to the Company’s Senior Leadership Team.
“I am pleased to offer new opportunities to a number of our top Senior Leadership performers, many of whom have been with Southwest for years and have, literally, come up through the ranks,” said Kelly. “Being a Leader here at Southwest means your People are your priority. Our Employees come first, and these Leaders exemplify this quality in everything they set out to do.”
• Vice President Ground Operations Teresa Laraba has been promoted to Senior Vice President Customer Services, reporting to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Mike Van de Ven. In this role, Teresa will oversee several departments devoted to improving how Customers view our product delivery including Customer Support and Services, Customer Relations, and the Customer Service Agents at the airports Southwest serves. Starting as a part-time Customer Service Agent in El Paso, Teresa has been with Southwest for 25 years.
• Vice President Inflight Services Mike Hafner has been promoted to Vice President Inflight and Provisioning, reporting to Senior Vice President Operations Greg Wells. With the addition of Provisioning, Mike is responsible for a work group totaling more than 10,700 Employees. In this role, Mike will oversee the cabin experience for Customers once they step onboard our planes. Mike started as a Ramp Agent and has been with Southwest for 30 years.
• Vice President Financial Planning Tammy Romo has been promoted to Senior Vice President Planning, reporting to Executive Vice President Strategy and Planning Bob Jordan. Tammy is responsible for Financial Planning, Revenue and Profitability Analysis, Strategic Planning, and Change Leadership. Tammy has been with Southwest for 18 years.
• Senior Director Governmental Affairs Karen Judd Lewis has been promoted to Vice President Governmental Affairs, reporting to Executive Vice President Corporate Services and Corporate Secretary Ron Ricks. Karen has been with the carrier for four years. Prior to joining Southwest, she was a partner in the Washington, DC law firm of Williams & Jensen, PLLC, for several years. While at the law firm, Karen’s practice encompassed a broad spectrum of issues from transportation to women’s health.
After more than 38 years of service, Southwest Airlines, the nation's leading low-fare carrier, continues to stand above other airlines--offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the most productive airline in the sky and offers Customers a comfortable traveling experience with all premium leather seats and plenty of legroom. Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV), the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded, currently serves 68 cities in 35 states (with additional service to Panama City Beach, Fla., in May). Based in Dallas, Southwest operates more than 3,200 flights a day and has nearly 35,000 Employees systemwide.
Southwest Airlines Media Contact: 214/792-4847
www.southwest.com
