SOUTHWEST AIRLINES APPOINTS ROBERT FORNARO TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) has appointed Robert "Bob" Fornaro to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. Fornaro brings four decades of airline industry experience, having previously served as President and CEO of Spirit Airlines and AirTran Holdings. He also worked as a consultant for Southwest Airlines from 2011 to 2014 and 2020 to 2024.
This appointment is part of Southwest's Board refreshment plan, which has added ten new Directors over the past three years. The company recently announced further changes, including six retirements in November, Executive Chairman Gary Kelly's retirement at the 2025 Annual Meeting, and the anticipated appointment of three new independent Directors.
Fornaro's extensive experience in leading multiple airlines is expected to be instrumental in guiding Southwest's Leadership Team and implementing its transformation strategy.
Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) ha nominato Robert "Bob" Fornaro nel suo Consiglio di Amministrazione, con effetto immediato. Fornaro porta con sé quattro decenni di esperienza nel settore delle compagnie aeree, avendo precedentemente ricoperto il ruolo di Presidente e CEO di Spirit Airlines e AirTran Holdings. Ha anche lavorato come consulente per Southwest Airlines dal 2011 al 2014 e dal 2020 al 2024.
Questa nomina fa parte del piano di rinnovamento del Consiglio di Southwest, che ha visto l'aggiunta di dieci nuovi amministratori negli ultimi tre anni. L'azienda ha recentemente annunciato ulteriori cambiamenti, inclusi sei pensionamenti a novembre, il ritiro del Presidente Esecutivo Gary Kelly durante l'Assemblea Annuale del 2025 e la prevista nomina di tre nuovi amministratori indipendenti.
L'ampia esperienza di Fornaro nella gestione di diverse compagnie aeree è prevista come strumentale nella guida del Team di Leadership di Southwest e nell'attuazione della sua strategia di trasformazione.
Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) ha nombrado a Robert "Bob" Fornaro en su Junta Directiva, con efecto inmediato. Fornaro aporta cuatro décadas de experiencia en la industria aérea, habiendo sido anteriormente Presidente y CEO de Spirit Airlines y AirTran Holdings. También trabajó como consultor para Southwest Airlines desde 2011 hasta 2014 y desde 2020 hasta 2024.
Esta nominación es parte del plan de renovación de la Junta de Southwest, que ha añadido diez nuevos directores en los últimos tres años. La compañía anunció recientemente más cambios, incluidos seis jubilaciones en noviembre, la jubilación del Presidente Ejecutivo Gary Kelly en la Reunión Anual de 2025 y la anticipada nominación de tres nuevos directores independientes.
Se espera que la amplia experiencia de Fornaro en la dirección de múltiples aerolíneas sea instrumental para guiar al Equipo de Liderazgo de Southwest e implementar su estrategia de transformación.
사우스웨스트 항공 주식회사 (NYSE: LUV)가 로버트 "밥" 포르나로를 이사로 즉시 임명했습니다. 포르나로는 항공 산업에서의 40년 경력을 자랑하며, 이전에 스피릿 항공과 에어트랜 홀딩스의 사장 및 CEO를 역임했습니다. 그는 또한 2011년부터 2014년까지, 그리고 2020년부터 2024년까지 사우스웨스트 항공의 컨설턴트로 일했습니다.
이번 임명은 사우스웨스트의 이사회 갱신 계획의 일환으로, 지난 3년 동안 10명의 신임 이사가 추가되었습니다. 회사는 최근 11월에 6명의 퇴직, 2025년 연례 총회에서 게리 켈리의 퇴직, 그리고 3명의 새로운 독립 이사 임명이 예상된다는 추가적인 변화를 발표했습니다.
포르나로의 다양한 항공사 관리 경험은 사우스웨스트의 리더십 팀을 안내하고 변혁 전략을 실행하는 데 중요한 역할을 할 것으로 기대됩니다.
Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) a nommé Robert "Bob" Fornaro à son Conseil d'administration, avec effet immédiat. Fornaro apporte quarante ans d'expérience dans l'industrie aérienne, ayant précédemment été Président et CEO de Spirit Airlines et AirTran Holdings. Il a également été consultant pour Southwest Airlines de 2011 à 2014 et de 2020 à 2024.
Cette nomination fait partie du plan de renouvellement du Conseil de Southwest, qui a ajouté dix nouveaux directeurs au cours des trois dernières années. L'entreprise a récemment annoncé d'autres changements, dont six départs à la retraite en novembre, le départ à la retraite du Président Exécutif Gary Kelly lors de l'Assemblée Annuelle de 2025, et l'attente de la nomination de trois nouveaux administrateurs indépendants.
La vaste expérience de Fornaro dans la direction de plusieurs compagnies aériennes devrait être essentielle pour guider l'équipe de direction de Southwest et mettre en œuvre sa stratégie de transformation.
Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) hat Robert "Bob" Fornaro sofort in seinen Vorstand berufen. Fornaro bringt vier Jahrzehnten Erfahrung in der Fluggesellschaftsbranche mit, da er zuvor Präsident und CEO von Spirit Airlines und AirTran Holdings war. Er arbeitete auch von 2011 bis 2014 und von 2020 bis 2024 als Berater für Southwest Airlines.
Diese Ernennung ist Teil von Southwest's Plan zur Auffrischung des Vorstands, der in den letzten drei Jahren zehn neue Direktoren hinzugefügt hat. Das Unternehmen gab kürzlich weitere Änderungen bekannt, darunter sechs Pensionierungen im November, den Rücktritt von Executive Chairman Gary Kelly bei der Hauptversammlung 2025 und die bevorstehende Ernennung von drei neuen unabhängigen Direktoren.
Fornaros umfangreiche Erfahrung in der Führung mehrerer Airlines wird voraussichtlich entscheidend sein, um das Führungsteam von Southwest zu leiten und die Transformationsstrategie umzusetzen.
- Addition of an experienced airline executive to the Board
- Part of a comprehensive Board refreshment plan to enhance oversight
- Fornaro's familiarity with Southwest's business model as a former consultant
- Potential for improved performance and shareholder returns through strategic guidance
- None.
Fornaro is an accomplished airline executive with four decades of experience in the industry. He previously served on the Board of Directors of Spirit Airlines beginning in May 2014 until September 2019 and as President and Chief Executive Officer from January 2016 until December 2018, during which time he led the low-cost carrier through a period of substantial growth and transformation. Previously, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of AirTran Holdings Inc. from November 2007 until May 2011. Fornaro served as a consultant to Southwest Airlines from 2011 to 2014 following its acquisition of AirTran in 2011, and again from 2020 to 2024 following his resignation as President and CEO of Spirit Airlines. Prior to his role as CEO of AirTran, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer from March 2001 until November 2007 and President and Chief Financial Officer from March 1999 until August 2000. He also previously served as Chairman of both AirTran Airways Inc. and AirTran Holdings Inc. Before joining AirTran, Fornaro operated a successful aviation consulting practice and served in senior marketing and planning positions at US Airways and Northwest Airlines.
"Bob is an exceptional leader and brings a wealth of industry experience to our Board," said Gary Kelly, Executive Chairman of the Board. "As a former consultant to Southwest, Bob has provided an objective review and important perspective on Southwest's transformation plan, and he has a strong appreciation for Southwest's unique business model and strategic advantages. His deep experience leading multiple airlines will be instrumental as we continue with our Board refreshment plan to add best-in-class Directors who will bring complementary skills and hold our Leadership Team accountable for delivering results."
"Southwest Airlines has both a storied history and tremendous potential," said Fornaro. "I look forward to further collaborating with members of the Board as we guide the Company's Leadership Team in implementing its strategy. I am confident in Bob Jordan and the Leadership Team's ability to execute its transformation plan and deliver improved performance and Shareholder returns."
With Fornaro's appointment, the Company has added ten new highly qualified Directors over the past three years, including the recent appointments of Rakesh Gangwal, co-founder of
Fornaro currently serves on the boards of Avianca,
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"). Specific forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements related to the Company's focus areas, goals, strategies, and initiatives, including with respect to transforming the business, improving performance, and Shareholder returns. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current estimates, intentions, beliefs, expectations, goals, strategies, and projections for the future and are not guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that are difficult to predict and that could cause actual results to vary materially from those expressed in or indicated by them. Factors include, among others, (i) the impact of fears or actual outbreaks of diseases, extreme or severe weather and natural disasters, actions of competitors, consumer perception, economic conditions, fuel prices, banking conditions, fears or actual acts of terrorism or war, sociodemographic trends, and other factors beyond the Company's control, on consumer behavior and the Company's results of operations and business decisions, plans, strategies, and results; (ii) the Company's ability to timely and effectively implement, transition, operate, and maintain the necessary information technology systems and infrastructure to support its operations and initiatives, including with respect to revenue management; (iii) the cost and effects of the actions of activist shareholders; (iv) the Company's ability to obtain and maintain adequate infrastructure and equipment to support its operations and initiatives; (v) the Company's dependence on The Boeing Company ("Boeing") and Boeing suppliers with respect to the Company's aircraft deliveries, fleet and capacity plans, operations, maintenance, strategies, and goals; (vi) the Company's dependence on the Federal Aviation Administration with respect to safety approvals for the Company's new cabin layout and the certification of the Boeing MAX 7 aircraft; (vii) the Company's dependence on other third parties, in particular with respect to its technology plans, its plans and expectations related to revenue management, operational reliability, fuel supply, maintenance, Global Distribution Systems, and the impact on the Company's operations and results of operations of any third party delays or non-performance; (viii) the Company's ability to timely and effectively prioritize its initiatives and focus areas and related expenditures; (ix) the impact of governmental regulations and other governmental actions on the Company's business plans, results, and operations; and (x) other factors, as described in the Company's filings with the
About Southwest Airlines Co.
Southwest Airlines Co. operates one of the world's most admired and awarded airlines, offering its one-of-a-kind value and Hospitality at 117 airports across 11 countries. Southwest took flight in 1971 to democratize the sky through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel and now carries more air travelers flying nonstop within
1 Based on
2 Fulltime-equivalent active Employees
3 1973-2019 annual profitability
4 Southwest's net zero by 2050 goal includes Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 Category 3 emissions only and excludes any emissions associated with non-fuel products and services, such as inflight service items.
Important Additional Information
The Company intends to file a proxy statement and a WHITE proxy card with the SEC in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the Company's next meeting of Shareholders (whether an Annual or Special Meeting of Shareholders (the "Shareholder Meeting")). SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO READ SUCH PROXY STATEMENT, ACCOMPANYING WHITE PROXY CARD AND ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH, OR FURNISHED TO, THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE AS THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE SHAREHOLDER MEETING. Shareholders will be able to obtain the Company's proxy statement, any amendments or supplements to the proxy statement and other documents filed by the Company with the SEC at no charge at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Copies will also be available at no charge at the Company's website at https://www.southwestairlinesinvestorrelations.com/financials/sec-filings.
Participant Information
For participant information, see the Company's soliciting material filed as "DEFA14A" with the SEC on September 10, 2024 and available here.
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SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.
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