Dallas-based LCC Southwest Airlines announced this week that
Greg Wells will become the Senior Vice President of Operations at
the popular airline, effective September 1, 2006. The new
leadership position will report to Mike Van de Ven, Southwest's
newly named Executive Vice President and Chief of Operations.
In his new role, Wells will be responsible for Ground
Operations, as well as Departments of Cargo and Flight Dispatch. He
will oversee Southwest's Ontime Performance initiatives which
include implementing key strategies to keep the airline's operation
efficient and timely.
Additionally, Wells will become a member of Southwest Airlines'
Executive Planning Committee, and will continue as the Company's
Emergency Director, overseeing the airline's response in the event
of a crisis.
"Greg is a 25-year veteran of Southwest Airlines, and we are
privileged to have someone with his broad operational experience
ready to step into this new senior leadership role," Van de Ven
said.
Wells began his career with Southwest Airlines in 1981 as a Ramp
Agent -- and has held various positions in the Ground Operations
Department and Flight Dispatch Department. After the events of
September 11, 2001, Wells was promoted to Vice President of Safety,
Security, and Flight Dispatch. Wells was then promoted to Vice
President of Ground Operations in 2004 and Senior Vice President
shortly thereafter.
Southwest also announced two other leadership changes, effective
Sept. 1, 2006:
- Chris Wahlenmaier, currently Vice President of Station
Operations, will expand his current duties and become the Vice
President of Ground Operations.
- Teresa Laraba, currently Senior Director of Ground Operations
Stations, also will become Vice President of Ground Operations,
dividing the Ground Operations responsibilities geographically with
Wahlenmaier.
"As Southwest continues to grow, so does the depth of our
operational leadership," Van de Ven said. "Greg, Chris, and Teresa
are long-time Southwest Employees whose leadership has strengthened
Southwest Airlines' operations, and I congratulate them on their
new roles and responsibilities."
Southwest Airlines is the nation's largest carrier based on
domestic passenger boardings. The airline, based in Dallas,
operates more than 3,100 daily departures in 62 cities and has more
than 32,000 Employees nationwide. Southwest begins service to its
newest destination, Dulles International, this October.