AMR bankruptcy: More American Airlines senior executives retiring
BY D.R. STEWART World Staff Writer
Wednesday, May 02, 2012
5/02/12 at 5:20 AM
See previous stories about American Airlines and its Tulsa operations.
Four senior executives at American Airlines, the subsidiary of bankrupt AMR Corp., are retiring, and a fifth senior position has been eliminated, AMR Chairman and CEO Thomas Horton said Tuesday.
The retiring executives, combined with earlier management retirements, represent a 20 percent reduction in American's most senior leadership positions since the company presented its comprehensive bankruptcy restructuring plan on Feb. 1, company officials said.
AMR's management restructuring plan includes layoffs of 1,400 management and support staff positions at a cost savings of $165 million a year, court documents show.
"Our organization redesign purposefully began at the top, and today's changes will further advance the company's restructuring objectives and bring us one step closer to ensuring American has the leanest, most capable and effective leadership team in the industry," Horton said. "We are on the threshold of an extraordinary opportunity to be America's flag carrier, delivering world-class service to customers around the globe.
"To achieve this, we must get leaner and more streamlined - with an intense focus on our customers."
The retiring executives include:
- David Brooks, president of American's Cargo division.
An American employee for 30 years, Brooks has served as Cargo president for nearly 16 years, company executives said.
"With American Airlines Cargo, Dave has built one of the most successful companies within a company - with some of the best and most loyal customers due in large part to the customer service and relationships Dave and the Cargo team have built throughout the years," said American Chief Financial Officer Bella Goren.
- Mark DuPont, manager, airport services.
During a 29-year career with American, DuPont held key leadership positions in Chicago; Orange County, Calif.; Los Angeles; New York; and the Dallas/Fort Worth corporate offices.
"His leadership of Airport Services has consistently put American on the leading edge of technology innovation, as he has pushed our teams to solve business problems with technology solutions," said Craig Kreeger, American's senior vice president-customer experience.
- Susan Garcia, vice president, information technology.
In her present post for 10 years, Garcia has been with American for almost 25 years.
"Susan has led some of the most monumental technology initiatives at American over the years," said Maya Leibman, American's chief information officer. "She has eagerly taken on the challenges of big, complex technology endeavors, including the very successful Y2K project, as well as the modernization of countless legacy systems."
- Andrew Watson, vice president, customer technology.
Watson has served in American's technology organization for more than 10 years.
"Andrew led many visible and impactful projects, such as the introduction of self-service machines and development of American's iPhone app," Leibman said. "Andrew is going to be missed, not just for these technology innovations, but also for his willingness to challenge the status quo and to engender great loyalty from the people who worked for and with him."
Horton said the position formerly held by Doug Herring - vice president-operations finance and strategy planning - has been eliminated. Herring will be working on special projects through the end of the year, Horton said.
In addition, Horton said, the company will undergo a transition in leadership in its human resources division from Jeff Brundage to Denise Lynn, who will become senior vice president of human resources.
Brundage, who has led American's contract negotiations with its unionized mechanics, pilots and flight attendants, will remain with American through the bankruptcy negotiations process, become a senior adviser and eventually retire, company officials said.
"Jeff has served in one of the most challenging roles in our company - he's done it ably and with great determination, perspective and resolve," Horton said. "When Jeff moves on to the next phase of his career, he will take with him the appreciation of our board and senior leadership team."
Horton said he greatly appreciates what each of the executives has given the company and its customers.
"On behalf of the company and all of its stakeholders, I want to thank these officers for the enormous contributions they have made to American Airlines over the years," Horton said.
Original Print Headline: American Airlines senior execs leaving
D.R. Stewart 918-581-8451
don.stewart@tulsaworld.com
