DALLAS, Feb. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest
Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) today announced the retirement of
two veteran Officers and the promotion of several others within the
carrier's ranks across the Operational, Finance, and Commercial
Departments. To view Officers' biographies or download headshots,
visit www.swamedia.com.
Executive Vice President of Daily Operations Greg Wells is retiring from his current
position and will move to an Advisor role, effective March 1. Wells has a broad background of
operational experience, starting on the Ramp in 1981, and working
his way up to Executive Vice President. Throughout his tenure, he
worked in nine different locations before moving to Dallas in 1997. His experience includes
Station Manager in both San Jose
and Phoenix, Regional Ground
Operations Director, Senior Ground Operations Director, Director of
Flight Dispatch, Vice President of Safety, Security and Flight
Dispatch, Vice President of Ground Operations, Senior Vice
President Ground Operations, and Senior Vice President Operational
Performance. As an Advisor, Wells will provide Leadership coaching
and mentoring, historical perspectives and insights on a recurring
basis to various training classes, and input into Operational
training needs.
Senior Vice President of Air Operations Alan Kasher is promoted to Executive Vice
President of Daily Operations and will be transitioning into
that role over the next month. Kasher, a Pilot, joined Southwest
more than 20 years ago as a First Officer and upgraded to Captain
in 2007. He worked in Flight Operations Safety and served in
various management positions within Flight Operations. He served as
Director of Operations and Managing Director of Regulatory Programs
and Compliance, then Vice President of Flight Operations, prior to
transitioning to his most recent role. In his new position, Kasher
will oversee the daily operations of the airline, including Air
Operations, Technical Operations, and Daily Operations.
Sam Ford is promoted to
Vice President Operational Strategy & Performance,
effective Feb. 1. Ford started his
career at Southwest in 2007 in Financial Performance & Analysis
(FP&A), where he supported Technology and Marketing, among
other departments. Ford has also served in Leadership positions on
the Company's Customer Support & Services and Operational
Performance Teams, before most recently serving as Managing
Director Operational Strategy & Performance.
Chris "CJ" Johnson is promoted to Vice President
Ground Operations, effective Feb.
1. Johnson started his career as a Ramp Agent in
Detroit in 1993, and has held
Leadership roles as Manager in Orlando, Assistant Station Leader in
Oakland, Station Leader in
Birmingham, Sacramento, Los
Angeles, and Phoenix, Station Director, Senior Station
Director, and Senior Director of Labor Relations, before most
recently serving as Managing Director Ground Operations.
Julia Landrum is
promoted to Managing Director Financial Planning & Analysis
(FP&A), effective Feb. 1. She will be responsible
for ensuring the Company's business plan and budget remain in
line with major Company initiatives; evaluating future trends and
opportunities; and providing economic and industry analysis.
Vice President of Customer Relations/Rapid Rewards
Jim Ruppel has announced his
retirement and will move to an Advisor role, effective March
1. With 43 years of service at Southwest, Ruppel began his
career as a Provisioning Agent and has served in a number of
Leadership roles, including Manager of Central Baggage Claims, and
Director of Customer Relations. Ruppel grew the Customer
Relations/Rapid Rewards Team from two to more than 400 Employees.
In his Advisor role, he will continue to share his invaluable
institutional knowledge as the airline continues to adapt to best
meet the needs of Customers in an ever-changing environment. With
Ruppel's move to Advisor, Managing Director of Customer Experience
Tony Roach will provide oversight of
the Customer Relations/Rapid Rewards Department.
"I want to personally thank both Greg and Jim for their decades
of servant Leadership and their many contributions to Southwest
Airlines, and I'm delighted they will continue their service as
trusted Advisors," said Southwest Airlines Chairman and CEO
Gary Kelly. "We are incredibly
fortunate to have such a strong Leadership bench to fill their big
shoes and help lead Southwest Airlines as we embark on our
milestone 50th anniversary year."
ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
In its 50th year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines
Co. continues to differentiate itself from other air
carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by more
than 56,000 Employees to a Customer base that topped 130 million
Passengers in 2019. Southwest has a robust network of
point-to-point service with a strong presence across top leisure
and business markets. In peak travel seasons during 2019,
Southwest operated more than 4,000 weekday departures among a
network of 101 destinations in the United
States and 10 additional countries. In 2020, the carrier
added service to Hilo, Hawaii;
Cozumel, Mexico; Miami; Palm Springs,
Calif.; Steamboat Springs; and Montrose (Telluride), Colo. In 2021, Southwest
will begin service to both Chicago
(O'Hare) and Sarasota/Bradenton on Feb.
14; both Savannah/Hilton Head
and Colorado Springs on March 11;
both Houston (Bush) and Santa Barbara, Calif. on April 12; Fresno,
Calif. on April 25; and
Jackson, Miss. on June 6.
Southwest coined Transfarency® to
describe its purposed philosophy of treating Customers honestly and
fairly, and low fares actually staying 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 carriers offer free checked bags on select routes or in
qualified circumstances). Southwest does not charge change fees,
though fare differences might apply.
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. Learn more about how the carrier gives
back to communities across the world by
visiting Southwest.com/citizenship.
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.