Southwest CEO steps down as airline posts profit

mpenguin1

mpenguin1

Well-Known Member
http://biz.yahoo.com/rc/040715/airlines_southwest_1.html

DALLAS, July 15 (Reuters) - Southwest Airlines Inc. (NYSE:LUV - News) Chief Executive Jim Parker stepped down on Thursday in a surprise move after the airline again posted a quarterly profit when most of its competitors will likely be in the red.


Parker, who had been the CEO for about three years, left the post for "personal reasons" and will be replaced by Chief Financial Officer Gary Kelly
 
Wow. Very interesting.
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A great move for SWA!

Gary Kelly was who we all expected to get the job when Herb stepped down. He is a much better choice and very well liked. No one knew who Parker was down in the trenches until they named him Herbs successor. Us old timers all have met Gary once or twice. He has been a frequent face at staion visits and culture activities for years.

It's been said around the rumor mill that Jim was given the job to be a fall guy for all the upcoming labor relations issues that were looming when Herb bowed out. Not many expected his stay to be very long at any rate.
 
Re: A great move for SWA!

Sorry for the hijack, but guess who I saw in the airport in Dallas a week ago? Don Carty, he was flying American, what a shock! How would you like to be the FA serving him lunch!
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Re: A great move for SWA!

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Not many expected his stay to be very long at any rate.

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That's amazing to me. I thought SWA would value stability and continuity. To intentionally put someone in that wouldn't last makes no sense to me.
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Pissed off Herb, did he?

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In what official or maybe unofficial capcity does Herb Keller serve at SWA what is his title if he still even has one?

Someone told me that he was both Chairman & CEO before he steppe down form the postion of CEO and now he is simply the Chairman of the Board.

Which we all know is a position with more power then both President & CEO.

But is this true....or is Herb no longer "actively" involved in major management decsions and living on his "golden parachute"?


Matthew
 
Big article in the Wall Street Journal today about this.

The 57-year-old chief executive of Southwest Airlines, James F. Parker, unexpectedly stepped down yesterday after just three years, citing personal reasons for leaving what he called a "draining job."

In a conference call with analysts and reporters, Mr. Parker, an 18-year veteran of Southwest named CEO in June 2001, said he had resigned for "a combination of things over a period of time. This is a very exhilarating but draining job. At some point you feel like you've just given all you can give, and I feel the people at Southwest deserve a leader with energy and focus to carry us to the next level." He said it was a "logical" time for the move, coming after his three-year contract expired last month. "I did my tour of duty and it's time to let somebody else have a turn," he said.

Asked whether the difficult labor talks had factored into his decision, he said, "That's all in the past and we need to let it be in the past. Our people deserve an opportunity to move forward without the baggage of any past conflict."

And here is another one.

Parker steps down at Southwest; Kelly to lead airline
 
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[But is this true....or is Herb no longer "actively" involved in major management decsions and living on his "golden parachute"?

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Guys like Herb never retire. They just don't have it in them. They'll carry him out feet first. (Then probably bury him in one of the old -200s)
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Re: A great move for SWA!

[ QUOTE ]
Sorry for the hijack, but guess who I saw in the airport in Dallas a week ago? Don Carty, he was flying American, what a shock! How would you like to be the FA serving him lunch!
cool.gif


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If he was smart, he shouldn't eat or drink anything without having it 'tested' by someone else first!
 
Re: A great move for SWA!

I have a feeling that the long, drawn out battle with the FAs might've had something to do with this. Parker tried to get it resolved for years, and they finally got smart and brought Herb into the picture. He gets it done in a matter of months. I actually got to meet both Jim and Herb (and Colleen) when I was in training in Dallas. I thought all three were class acts. I'm pretty sure (about 95%) that I met Kelly, too. Gotta love those Friday night deck parties with the cheap beer.
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