SOUTHWEST AIRLINES (LUV)
Sector: Industrials
| Ticker | Position | Age | Qualifications and Experience | Committee Memberships | Filing Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sector: Industrials
| Ticker | Position | Age | Qualifications and Experience | Committee Memberships | Filing Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Director information for LUV
| Ticker | Position | Age | Qualifications and Experience | Committee Memberships | Filing Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LUV | Director; Former CEO of Spirit Airlines and AirTran Holdings Inc. | 73 | ["Airline / Aerospace", "Finance & Accounting", "Government Affairs", "Human Capital", "Logistics / Operations", "Marketing/ Brand Management", "Public CEO", "Risk Management", "Safety", "PublicCEO", "Technology", "Govt Affairs", "Environmental/Sustainability", "Logistics/Operations", "Marketing/Brand Management", "Airline/Aerospace"] | ["Safety and Operations"] | 2026 |
Biography sourced from the proxy statement filing.
Age: 73 | Director
Director since: 2024
Principal Occupation: Former CEO of Spirit Airlines and of AirTran Holdings Inc.
Board Committees: Safety and Operations
Skills and Qualifications: Airline/Aerospace, Finance & Accounting, Government Affairs, Human Capital, Logistics/Operations, Marketing/Brand Management, Public CEO, Risk Management, Safety
Expertise Relevant to Southwest Airlines Business and Strategy:
Airline industry veteran with deep C-suite operational and managerial experience. Under Mr. Fornaro's leadership as CEO, Spirit Airlines on-time performance increased from last place nationwide prior to his appointment in January 2016 to near the top of the industry at 81.1% in 2018. Over the course of his three-year tenure, Spirit's share price increased 45%; second highest among major airlines. At AirTran, Mr. Fornaro served as President and CFO on a turnaround leadership team that led the transformation of the company into one of the most successful airlines in the nation. Then as CEO of AirTran, Mr. Fornaro successfully negotiated its sale to Southwest at a 69% premium. Before AirTran, Mr. Fornaro operated an aviation consulting practice and served in senior marketing and planning positions at US Airways and Northwest Airlines.
Proven track record in airline M&A and integration follow-through. Mr. Fornaro oversaw the successful acquisition of AirTran by Southwest as AirTran's CEO and worked with Southwest as a consultant in the following years to ensure the seamless integration of the two companies. As a director at WestJet Airlines, he helped guide the airline through the challenging COVID-19 pandemic period and the repositioning of the airline's route network and oversaw WestJet's successful acquisition of Sunwing Airlines and Sunwing Vacations.
Expertise in navigating complex regulatory landscapes. As CEO of AirTran, Mr. Fornaro led successful lobbying efforts and negotiations with federal agencies that won the airline more landing rights at federally restricted airports in New York and Washington. His experience with the complex regulatory landscape governing the airline industry was supported by his experience as Chair of Spirit's Safety, Security and Operations Committee, and as a member of the safety committees at WestJet and Avianca.
Business Experience:
Principal, ParkView Partners LLC (2011-2015, 2019-present)
Advisor, Southwest Airlines Co. (2011-2014, 2020-2024)
CEO, Spirit Airlines (2016-2018)
President (2016-2017)
President & CEO, AirTran Holdings Inc. (2007-2011)
Chairman (2008-2011)
President & COO, AirTran Airways Inc. (2001-2007)
President & CFO (1999-2000)
SVP Planning, US Airways (1992-1998)
SVP Planning and Alliances, Northwest Airways (1988-1992)
Other Public Company Board Experience:
WestJet Airlines (2020-present)
Avianca Group International Limited, a leading airline in Central America and South America (2021-2026)
Spirit Airlines, Inc. (2014-2019)
AirTran Holdings Inc. (2001-2011)
Other Professional Memberships:
Board of Directors, ABRA Group Limited, an air transport holding company (2026-present)