DALLAS, July 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of
Directors of Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) announced today that
Ron Ricks, 65, has been elected as
Vice Chairman of the Board. Concurrently, Ricks announced
that he is retiring from his position as Executive Vice President
and Chief Legal and Regulatory Officer after serving as an Officer
of Southwest Airlines for the past 29 years.
"Ron has provided counsel to Southwest Airlines since the early
years of the Company, and I am delighted that he will continue to
provide leadership and guidance through his role as Vice Chairman,"
said Gary Kelly, Chairman of the
Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer. Ricks will
remain a non-Officer Employee of the Company to assist with the
transition of complex legal projects and specialized governmental
affairs issues. Before joining Southwest Airlines, Ricks was
a partner in the San Antonio law
firm founded by Herb Kelleher,
working extensively on the Southwest Airlines account. Altogether,
Ricks has represented Southwest since 1981.
Southwest Airlines announced these additional leadership
changes, all reporting to Kelly:
- Tammy Romo was promoted to
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. In
addition to maintaining her most recent responsibilities as Sr.
Vice President and CFO, the leadership of Supply Chain Management
now reports to Romo. Romo joined Southwest Airlines in
1991.
- Mark Shaw was promoted to Sr.
Vice President General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. In
addition to maintaining his responsibilities over the Company's
General Counsel Department, Governmental Affairs leadership
now reports to Shaw. Shaw has been with Southwest Airlines since
2000.
- Jeff Lamb, who has been with
Southwest Airlines since 2004, maintains the responsibilities of
his most recent role as Executive Vice President Chief People and
Administrative Officer, and expands his leadership to now include
Airport Affairs. His new title is Executive Vice President
Corporate Services.
ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
In its 45th year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV)
continues to differentiate itself from other air carriers with
exemplary Customer Service delivered by more than 47,000 Employees
to more than 100 million Customers annually. Southwest
operates more than 3,600 flights a day, serving 95 destinations
across the United States and six
additional countries. Southwest service to Belize City, Belize, begins Oct. 15,
2015, and to Liberia,
Costa Rica, on Nov. 1, 2015, both routes are subject to foreign
government approval.
Based on the U.S. Department of Transportation's most recent
data, Southwest Airlines is the nation's largest carrier in terms
of originating domestic passengers boarded. The Company operates
the largest fleet of Boeing aircraft in the world, the majority of
which are equipped with satellite-based WiFi providing gate-to-gate
connectivity while over the United States. That connectivity
enables Customers to use their personal devices to access streaming
music provided by Beats Music or to view video on-demand movies and
television shows, as well as nearly 20 channels of free, live TV
compliments of our valued Partners. Southwest is the only
major U.S. airline to offer bags fly free® to everyone (first
and second checked pieces of luggage, size and weight limits apply,
some airlines may allow free checked bags on select routes or for
qualified circumstances), and there are no change fees, though fare
differences might apply. In 2014, the airline proudly unveiled a
bold new look: Heart. The new aircraft livery,
airport experience, and logo, showcase the dedication of Southwest
Employees to connect Customers with what's important in their
lives.
From its first flights on June 18,
1971, Southwest Airlines launched an era of unprecedented
affordability in air travel described by the U.S. Department of
Transportation as "The Southwest Effect," a lowering of fares and
increase in passenger traffic whenever the carrier enters new
markets. With 42 consecutive years of profitability,
Southwest is one of the most honored airlines in the world, known
for a triple bottom line approach that contributes to the carrier's
performance and productivity, the importance of its People and the
communities they serve, and an overall commitment to efficiency and
the planet. The 2014 Southwest Airlines One Report™ can be found
at SouthwestOneReport.com.
Book Southwest Airlines' low fares online
at Southwest.com or by phone at 800-I-FLY-SWA.
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SOURCE Southwest Airlines