DALLAS, Jan. 10, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest
Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Gary C. Kelly today announced
changes to the Company's executive Leadership ranks with
Thomas M. Nealon named as President
and Michael G. Van de Ven named as
the airline's Chief Operating Officer. These changes are effective
immediately.
In his role as President, Nealon, 55, will report to Kelly and
have responsibility for the Commercial, Finance, Technology,
Corporate Delivery, and Corporate Strategy departments. Commercial
and Finance functions will transition to Nealon later this
year.
Nealon re-joined Southwest a year ago as Executive Vice
President Strategy & Innovation. He had previously been a
member of Southwest's Board of Directors from 2010-2015 and also
served as Southwest's Chief Information Officer from 2002-2006.
Nealon began his career in 1983 and in addition to Southwest has
worked in a variety of roles for Frito-Lay, The Feld Group and
JCPenney. Throughout his career, Nealon has held a wide range of
executive roles, including, technology, e-commerce, strategy,
digital ventures, and innovation. He currently serves as a member
of the Board of Directors for the Fossil Group.
As Chief Operating Officer, Van de
Ven, 55, also will report to Kelly and expand his
operational responsibilities, by adding Customer Support &
Services, Hospitality, and the Company's President's Council.
Van de Ven's current
responsibilities for Ground Operations, Air Operations (Inflight,
Flight Operations, and Network Operations Control), Technical
Operations, Safety & Security, Labor Relations, and Operational
Strategy & Performance will continue.
Van de Ven is a 23-year veteran
of Southwest and has served in various leadership positions in
Internal Audit, Finance, and, for the last 11 years, Operations. In
addition to Operations, his experience has included financial
planning; fleet planning; operational support and analytics; and
network planning. Prior to joining Southwest, he worked for Ernst
& Young. He currently serves as a member of the Board of
Directors for Comerica Bank.
Other leadership changes and announcements are:
- Greg Wells has been promoted to
Executive Vice President Daily Operations, reporting to
Van de Ven. Wells will be
responsible for Ground, Air, and Technical operations; he also will
oversee the airline's Hospitality efforts and the systemwide
President's Council, which focuses on operational policies,
services, and innovations. Wells will continue in his role as the
Company's Emergency Director and oversee the airline's response
efforts to various emergency events such as an aircraft
incident/accident, natural disaster, or global terror event.
- Andrew Watterson has been
promoted to Senior Vice President & Chief Revenue Officer, and
will assume additional responsibilities for the Customer Relations
& Rapid Rewards Department. He will continue to report to
Bob Jordan, Executive Vice President
& Chief Commercial Officer, and also lead the Business
Development, Revenue Management & Pricing, and Network Planning
departments.
- Steve Goldberg has been promoted
to Senior Vice President Ground Operations & Provisioning and
will report to Wells. The airline's Provisioning operations will
move from Cabin Services to Ground Operations and report to
Goldberg.
- Vice President Labor Relations Michael Ryan has announced his
retirement effective March 1, 2017,
and Russell McCrady has been named
Vice President to succeed him in that role and will report to
Van de Ven.
Kelly, 61, has been with Southwest for 30 years and CEO for the
last 12 years. He continues in his role as CEO and as the Chairman
of Southwest's Board of Directors. In addition to overseeing the
business and operations of the airline, Kelly's focus will be in
external areas including political, governmental and industry
affairs; investor relationships; and community affairs and
outreach; and internally on Employee and Culture activities.
"I am very excited to announce these executive changes, which
will position us well to support our People and to collectively
serve both our Customers and our Shareholders," Kelly said. "It is
important for us to evolve our Leadership structure as part of our
ongoing succession planning process. We are fortunate to have such
a deep bench of gifted Leaders, and these changes will allow for
continued executive development, as individuals, and as a team. I
am excited about our future and our numerous opportunities, and I
look forward to working with this team for years to come."
William Cunningham, Ph.D.,
Presiding Director of Southwest's Board of Directors, said: "On
behalf of the Southwest Board, let me say we are delighted with
these moves and very supportive of Gary and his team. We know Tom
and Mike well, and they are very deserving of these new roles.
Gary's leadership has helped write an unprecedented and wildly
successful chapter for Southwest. He and the Leadership team have
had to guide the Company and its 52,000 Warriors through
significant change to remain competitive, job secure, and
prosperous—and emerge with the corporate soul still intact. This
was no easy task, and the Board has been impressed by the effort
and the outstanding results--for Employees, Customers, and
Shareholders, alike."
Kelly, Nealon, and Van de Ven,
along with the rest of Southwest's Leadership and Employees, will
work to deliver on a strategic plan that realizes the Vision to
make Southwest the world's most loved, most flown, and most
profitable airline.
ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
In its 46th 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 53,000 Employees
to more than 100 million Customers annually. Southwest
proudly operates a network of 101 destinations in the United States and eight additional
countries with more than 3,900 departures a day during peak travel
season. Subject to requisite governmental approvals, service to
Grand Cayman begins June 4, 2017.
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. That connectivity enables Customers to use
their personal devices 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 created
Transfarency®, a philosophy which treats Customers honestly
and fairly, and in which low fares actually stay low. 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. The airline proudly unveiled a
bold new look: Heart. A new logo, aircraft
livery, interior design featuring a new seat and Flight Attendant
galley, Employee-designed uniforms, and an updated airport
experience all showcase the dedication of Southwest Employees who
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 43 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 2015 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 Co.