Executive Changes Take Effect Today
DALLAS—July 16, 2008—With Herb Kelleher and Colleen Barrett now officially handing over their management titles, previously announced Executive changes at Southwest Airlines take effect today. Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly assumes the additional roles of Chairman of the Board and President.
The Board of Directors elected Executive Vice President Ron Ricks to fill Barrett’s position of Corporate Secretary. Additionally, the airline redefined the roles of its three Executive Vice Presidents. Bob Jordan, Executive Vice President Strategy and Planning; is responsible for strategic planning, technology, airport security, facilities, and schedule planning. Ron Ricks, Executive Vice President Corporate Services and Corporate Secretary; is responsible for legal, labor and Employee relations, political and public affairs, and properties. Mike Van de Ven, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer; is responsible for all operations, maintenance, Customer Services, safety, security, and environmental services.
Additionally, several Officers will assume new responsibilities, including: Ginger Hardage, Senior Vice President Culture and Communications; is responsible for Culture Services and both Internal and External Communications. Jeff Lamb, Senior Vice President Administration and Chief People Officer; is responsible for Corporate Security, People and Leadership Development, and Purchasing. Daryl Krause, Senior Vice President Customer Services; is responsible for Reservations, Provisioning, Fuel Management, Customer Relations, and Inflight. Jeff and Daryl will also join Southwest’s Executive Planning Committee.
“The awesome task before us is to ensure the continued prosperity of Southwest Airlines—one of the greatest success stories in American business,” Kelly said. “We all pledge to continue to keep the LUV alive and the Warrior Spirit strong that Herb and Colleen have inspired in all 34,000 Southwest Employees.”
After 37 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 recently updated its gate areas and improved its boarding procedure to make flying Southwest Airlines even more convenient and simple. Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV), the nation's largest carrier in terms of domestic passengers enplaned, currently serves 64 cities in 32 states. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,400 flights a day and has more than 34,000 Employees systemwide.
www.southwest.com
