Southwest Airlines Announces Multiple Executive Appointments

Southwest Airlines announced multiple executive promotions and appointments as well as three executive retirements.

The airline promoted James Ashworth, currently managing director of customer support and services, to the position of vice president for customer support and services, following the retirement of Chris Wahlenmeier from that post.

Landon Nitschke was promoted to the position of senior vice president for technical operations, following six years at the airline.

Justin Jones, a 17-year Southwest veteran, was appointed to the position of vice president for tech ops planning and performance, a new department within the Tech Ops organization at the airline.

Southwest also announced the appointment of Kurt Kinder as vice president for maintenance operations. Kinder most recently held a similar role at Alaska Airlines.

Additional appointments include Mark Wibben to the position of vice president for engineering and programs; Lauren Wood to the position of managing director for technology – enterprise data and platforms; Michael Simmons to the position of chief information security officer; and Jim Dayson to the position of vice president – technology for air and technical operations.

Finally, Katherine Findlay, the airline’s vice president of audit, and Erika Lindford, its vice president for technology – commercial portfolio, announced their retirement following nine and 25 years of service to the airline respectively.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)