DALLAS, Aug. 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest
Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) today announced two leadership
changes.
John Zuzu has been promoted to Managing Director
Corporate Facilities, which became effective Aug. 1. Zuzu joined Southwest in 1995 and
previously served as Senior Director of Corporate Facilities. Zuzu
has a combined 35 years of experience in building design,
construction, and maintenance. Over the last 22 years, he has held
numerous roles at Southwest, all within the Facilities Department,
including: Computer Aided Drafting Specialist, Project Manager,
Special Projects Lead, and Director.
"John is a consummate professional and a tremendous Leader,
managing a myriad of very complex projects vital to our Company's
growth—and he and his Team deliver them on time and on budget,"
said Southwest's Executive Vice President Corporate Services Bob
Jordan. "We are extremely fortunate to have someone of John's
caliber leading our fantastic Corporate Facilities
Department."
Additionally, Thomas Merritt is joining Southwest
Airlines as Vice President Technology—IT & Infrastructure
Services, effective Aug. 7. Merritt
joins Southwest with over 30 years of technical and leadership
experience. Most recently, Merritt served as Senior Vice President
of Enterprise Technology Operations at Sabre, where he led the
architecture, engineering, and operational support for all
infrastructure platforms. Prior to that, he served as Vice
President of Architecture, Engineering, and Operations at Sears
Holdings, where he was responsible for the architecture, design,
and support of all technology platforms. Merritt has also
previously served in other various consultative, technical, and
leadership roles at United Airlines, Blue Cross Blue Shield
Florida, The Feld Group, and Bank of America.
"I am thrilled to welcome Tom into the Southwest Leadership
Team. Tom has a vast amount of expertise and experience across
several industries, which will serve us well as we continue to
invest in and build our technology capabilities for generations to
come," said Southwest's Senior Vice President and Chief Information
Officer Kathleen
Wayton.
ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
In its 47th 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 55,000 Employees to more than 100 million Customers
annually. Southwest proudly operates a network of 101
destinations in the United States
and nine additional countries with more than 4,000 departures a day
during peak travel season. Service to Turks and Caicos is expected
to begin Nov. 5, 2017, subject to
requisite government approvals. On Sept. 5,
2017, Southwest will cease service to Varadero and Santa
Clara to concentrate its future Cuba service in Havana.
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 44 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 2016 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.