Board of Directors

Lisa M. Atherton

President and CEO of Bell (a Textron, Inc. company)

Business Experience

Ms. Atherton is the President and CEO of Bell, a leading global supplier of innovative products for defense and commercial helicopter customers, and a member of the Corporate Leadership Team of Textron. Ms. Atherton previously served in multiple executive roles in the Textron and Bell suite of businesses, including as President and CEO at Textron Systems, a leading developer of crewed and uncrewed military ground vehicles, with a focus on aircraft systems, and as Executive Vice President, Military Business at Bell Helicopter. She also served eight years in the U.S. Air Force at Air Combat Command’s Directorate of Requirements, where she helped shape the budget and operational requirements and needs for the Combat Air Forces.

Expertise Relevant to Southwest Airlines’ Business and Strategy

• Executive leadership and operational expertise
• Extensive aerospace and aviation experience, including in M&A and strategic planning
• Valuable perspective on governmental regulation and contracting

Pierre R. Breber

Former Vice President and CFO of Chevron Corporation

Business Experience

Mr. Breber formerly served as Vice President and CFO of Chevron Corporation, a multinational energy corporation. He has held multiple executive roles at Chevron, including as Executive Vice President, Downstream and Chemicals and as Executive Vice President, Gas and Midstream. In his 24-year tenure at Chevron, Mr. Breber oversaw the growth of Chevron’s global trading and shipping operations and worldwide refining, marketing, and chemicals businesses.

Expertise Relevant to Southwest Airlines’ Business and Strategy

• Proven track record of leading company turnaround
• Deep financial experience
• Commitment to balanced energy transition

Douglas H. Brooks

Independent Chair of the Board, Former Chairman, President, and CEO of Brinker International, Inc.

Business Experience

Mr. Brooks formerly served as Chairman, President, and CEO of Brinker International, Inc., a multinational portfolio of restaurants. Mr. Brooks also served in other executive capacities for Brinker, including as its Chief Operating Officer and as President of Chili’s Grill & Bar. In his tenure at Brinker, Mr. Brooks led the company’s portfolio optimization efforts through the sale of its interests in multiple restaurant brands to focus its efforts on its two core restaurant assets. Mr. Brooks has also served as a director of multiple public companies, including AutoZone, Inc., where he oversaw share repurchase programs, international expansion, and the successful execution of a CEO succession plan.

Expertise Relevant to Southwest Airlines’ Business and Strategy

• Experience leading transformational corporate strategy
• Decisive leader with well-honed operational planning judgment
• Accomplished public company director

C. David Cush

Former CEO of Virgin America, Inc.

Business Experience

Mr. Cush formerly served as President and CEO of Virgin America, Inc. and has over 30 years of experience in the aviation industry. Prior to Virgin America, Mr. Cush worked at American Airlines Group Inc. for over 20 years and served as Senior Vice President of Global Sales. He has held leadership roles in many aspects of the airline business, including operations, finance, marketing, and sales. Most recently, Mr. Cush served as CEO of Service King Collision Repair Centers, Inc., a national operator of auto body collision repair facilities.

Expertise Relevant to Southwest Airlines’ Business and Strategy

• Extensive airline industry expertise
• Track record of leading companies through dynamic events
• Accomplished public company executive and board member

Sarah E. Feinberg

Former Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration

Business Experience

Ms. Feinberg formerly served as Administrator at the Federal Railroad Administration, the safety regulator for the U.S. passenger and freight rail system. She also served as CEO and President of the New York City Transit Authority, the largest transit system in North America. As Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of Transportation during the Obama administration, Ms. Feinberg oversaw and advised on a broad range of initiatives across the aviation and broader transportation sectors. She most recently founded Feinberg Strategies, LLC, a strategic business consulting practice focused on the technology and transportation sectors, and has served on the boards of multiple transportation service providers.

Expertise Relevant to Southwest Airlines’ Business and Strategy

• Proven commitment to safety and efficient, scalable operations in highly regulated industries
• Extensive transportation operations experience
• Extensive experience in regulatory and government affairs
• Strong knowledge of the transportation industry

Robert L. Fornaro

Former CEO of Spirit Airlines and of AirTran Holdings Inc.

Business Experience

Mr. Fornaro formerly served as CEO of Spirit Airlines, during which time he led the low-cost carrier through a period of substantial growth and transformation. Previously, he was President and CEO of AirTran Holdings Inc. As CEO of AirTran, Mr. Fornaro oversaw the successful acquisition of AirTran by Southwest and worked with Southwest as a consultant in the following years to ensure the seamless integration of the two companies. Before AirTran, Mr. Fornaro operated an aviation consulting practice and served in senior marketing and planning positions at US Airways and Northwest Airlines.

Expertise Relevant to Southwest Airlines’ Business and Strategy

•  Airline industry veteran with deep C-suite operational and managerial experience
• Proven track record in airline M&A and integration follow-through
• Expertise in navigating complex regulatory landscapes

Rakesh Gangwal

Co-Founder of InterGlobe Aviation Limited (IndiGo)

Business Experience

Mr. Gangwal is the co-founder of India’s largest airline by fleet size and passengers carried, InterGlobe Aviation Limited, known as IndiGo. Before co-founding IndiGo in 2006, Mr. Gangwal served as Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Worldspan Technologies Inc., a provider of technology and information services to the travel and transportation industry. Prior to his time at Worldspan, Mr. Gangwal served as President and Chief Executive Officer of US Airways Group, Inc., and previously as its Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Gangwal also previously served in executive roles at Air France and United Airlines.

Expertise Relevant to Southwest Airlines’ Business and Strategy

• Visionary leader and proven operator in the airline industry
• Effective boardroom voice, having served on the boards of public companies in the retail, travel, and technology industries
• Extensive M&A and strategic planning experience as executive and director

David J. Grissen

Former Group President of Marriott International

Business Experience

Mr. Grissen formerly served as Group President of Marriott International, Inc. and served in various other executive roles over his 36-year tenure at Marriott. Mr. Grissen led all functions for Marriott's brands in the Americas and for the Ritz Carlton and EDITION brands globally, including strategy, revenue management, sales and marketing, operations, food and beverage, technology, development and human resources. Mr. Grissen managed hotels representing approximately two-thirds of Marriott's fee revenue, a workforce of 160,000 people, and a successful growth strategy that resulted in the expansion of Marriott's Americas organization.

Expertise Relevant to Southwest Airlines’ Business and Strategy

• Expertise in successful brand management
•  Strong finance experience, serving in several senior finance positions, including Senior Vice President of Finance & Business Development and Group President of Marriott
• Proven track record of spearheading company growth

David P. Hess

Former CEO of Arconic Corporation

Business Experience

Mr. Hess formerly served as CEO of Arconic Corporation, a metals manufacturing business serving the aerospace market, where he oversaw the company’s transition after a major split-off transaction. Prior to his time at Arconic, Mr. Hess served as Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Officer for Aerospace at United Technologies Corporation. Mr. Hess also previously served as President of aerospace manufacturing companies Pratt & Whitney and Hamilton Sundstrand.

Expertise Relevant to Southwest Airlines’ Business and Strategy

•  Seasoned executive with over four decades of aerospace background
•  Effective leader of strategic transformations
• Extensive boardroom experience at aerospace, defense, and industrial materials companies

Bob Jordan

President, Chief Executive Officer, & Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors

Bob Jordan serves as President, Chief Executive Officer, & Vice Chairman of the Board at Southwest Airlines. Bob is a 37-year Southwest veteran, and has held 15 different positions, including leadership roles in Finance, Planning, Procurement, Fuel, Facilities, Technology, Corporate Strategy, and People & Culture, and has served as Southwest’s Chief Commercial Officer.  

As CEO, Bob is leading the largest transformation in Southwest’s 54-year history, evolving to meet the needs of our current and future Customers, modernize the airline and lower costs, and improve financial returns. This includes assigned and premium seating, enhancements to our award-winning Rapid Rewards loyalty program, new distribution channels, adding redeye flying routes and global airline partnerships, and a new vacations product, Getaways by Southwest. Bob champions the unique Southwest Culture, leading Southwest's People as they focus on delivering unparalleled Hospitality and legendary Customer Service.  

During his career, Bob has been responsible for many key initiatives, including development of Southwest’s e-commerce platform, the Rapid Rewards loyalty program, leading the comprehensive "Heart" brand refresh, and implementing a new reservations system.  

Bob also played a critical role in Southwest’s acquisition of AirTran Airways and served as President of AirTran during the integration, a strategic move that expanded Southwest’s domestic and international network. During the global pandemic, Bob led Company efforts around voluntary retirement and leave programs that were critical to reducing costs and avoiding pay cuts as demand for air travel plummeted. 

Bob earned undergraduate and master’s degrees from Texas A&M University. He serves on the boards of Airlines for America, Southwestern Medical Foundation, and Airlink Governors Council. Bob and his wife, Kelly, have two grown children and two grandsons. 

Christopher P. Reynolds

Former Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of Toyota Motor North America

Business Experience

Mr. Reynolds served as  Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, Strategy & Innovation of Toyota Motor North America, the operating subsidiary of global automotive manufacturer Toyota Motor Corporation, in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, until transitioning to a Senior Advisor role in 2025. At Toyota, Mr. Reynolds oversaw crucial North American functions, including strategy, business development, human resources, information technology, legal, diversity and inclusion, sustainability, regulatory affairs, and research and development. Mr. Reynolds previously served in various other roles at Toyota, including Deputy Chief Officer of Toyota Motor Corporation. Prior to joining Toyota in 2007, Mr. Reynolds was a partner at the law firm of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, where he worked as manager of the New York office’s labor and employment law group. Before joining the law firm, Mr. Reynolds served in the U.S. Department of Justice as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Criminal Division of the Southern District of New York.

Expertise Relevant to Southwest Airlines’ Business and Strategy

• Experience overseeing business development, strategy, compliance, and risk management functions
• Deep operational and safety experience in the transportation industry
• Commitment to sound governance and excellence in human capital management

Gregg A. Saretsky

Former CEO of WestJet

Business Experience

Mr. Saretsky formerly served as President and CEO of WestJet Airlines Ltd. Mr. Saretsky led the evolution of WestJet from providing a one-dimensional product offering to having a modern commercial strategy, generating a total shareholder return of more than 100% during his eight-year tenure as CEO. Prior to WestJet, Mr. Saretsky served in a number of senior-level commercial and operational roles at Alaska Airlines, including Executive Vice President of Flight Operations & Marketing, and various executive positions at Canadian Airlines International Ltd.

Expertise Relevant to Southwest Airlines’ Business and Strategy

• Deep airline experience, with over 40 years of aviation leadership experience and industry knowledge
• Proven record of overseeing airline transformation
•  Accomplished leader of company expansion

Patricia A. Watson

Former Chief Information and Technology Officer at NCR Atleos

Business Experience

Ms. Watson formerly served as Executive Vice President and Chief Information and Technology Officer at NCR Atleos Corporation, a financial services company focused on manufacturing, technology, and servicing/logistics for the world’s largest independent ATM network. Ms. Watson brings a wealth of knowledge in the technology and cybersecurity fields, having also previously served in numerous senior technology roles, including Chief Information Officer of NCR Corporation, President of Cloud Collaboration and Enterprise Collaboration at Intrado Corporation, Global Chief Information Officer at Total Systems Services, and Chief Information Officer at The Brink's Company. Prior to her corporate career, Ms. Watson served in various roles in the U.S. Air Force, including as a contracting and acquisition officer, delivering aircraft technology systems, Flight Commander, and as a director of operations.

Expertise Relevant to Southwest Airlines’ Business and Strategy

•  Experience implementing new technology initiatives
•  Strong cybersecurity and risk management knowledge
• Accomplished logistics and aircraft background