Southwest CEO and chairman Gary Kelly will no longer
also serve as the airline's president. Executive vice president of strategy and
innovation Thomas Nealon has been promoted to the post.
"It is important for us to evolve our leadership structure as part
of our ongoing succession planning process," said Kelly, 61, in a prepared statement. Kelly has been Southwest's CEO for 12 years.
Nealon, 55, rejoined Southwest a year ago. He served on the
carrier's board of directors from 2010 to 2015 and served as its chief
information officer from 2002 to 2006.
As president, Nealon will be responsible for much of Southwest's
daily operations, including the commercial, finance, technology, corporate
delivery and corporate strategy departments. He reports to Kelly.
Kelly will now focus more on external portions
of Southwest's business, including political, governmental, industry and
community affairs, as well as investor relationships.
Delta, American and United each have separate presidents
and CEOs.