NWA To Be Operated As Delta Subsidiary
Delta Air Lines announced Tuesday to its employees the senior
team responsible for leading the company after the closing of its
merger with Northwest Airlines. As expected, the new airline will
be led by Delta CEO Richard Anderson -- an 18-year industry
veteran, and former CEO of Northwest. The team will be comprised of
operational, corporate and strategic leaders selected from both
companies.
In addition, Delta announced the senior officers who will be
members of its Corporate Leadership Team (CLT) which will have
overall responsibility for the strategy of the airline, including
major decision-making and overall supervision of the merger
process.
The CLT, which will be effective upon the closing of the merger,
includes:
- Richard Anderson, CEO – Delta Air Lines
- Ed Bastian, President and CFO - Delta Air Lines; CEO and
President - NWA
- Mike Becker, EVP, Chief Operating Officer - NWA
- Mike Campbell, EVP - HR, Labor & Communications
- Steve Gorman, EVP - Operations
- Glen Hauenstein, EVP - Revenue & Network
- Ben Hirst, SVP - General Counsel
- Laura Liu, SVP - International
- Theresa Wise, SVP – Chief Information Officer
"We have assembled an incredibly talented officer team," said
Anderson (right). "Their diverse backgrounds and extensive
experience, both in and out of the airline industry, provide a
solid foundation for building a world-class airline focused on
taking care of our people, serving our customers, and giving a good
return to our shareholders."
Upon closing of the merger, Northwest will be an operating
subsidiary of Delta Air Lines. Ed Bastian, who is Delta’s
current president and CFO, will also become CEO and president of
NWA. Mike Becker, who is currently senior vice president of Human
Resources and Labor Relations at Northwest, will become the new
executive vice president and chief operating officer of Northwest
during the transition period.
As previously announced, Northwest’s current president and
CEO, Doug Steenland, will leave to assume his seat on the new Delta
Board of Directors. Delta and Northwest announced plans to merger
operations on April 14.
"The officers named for both Delta and NWA are leaders of the
new Delta," said Bastian, who will have leadership roles in both
organizations. "The final organizational structure will evolve over
time, as the transition to a single operating certificate is
achieved. We will not sacrifice revenue or cost-synergies by moving
too quickly to integrate. Combining these two great airlines will
be a well-planned, deliberate process."
The new Delta will be headquartered in Atlanta and will maintain
a significant long-term presence in Minnesota that includes both
operation and staff functions beyond the 12-24 month transition of
Northwest operations into Delta.
"We are already making great progress on our integration
planning and are well ahead of previously attempted airline mergers
in anticipation of gaining approval by the Department of Justice
later this year," Bastian added. "Today’s announcement is
another important milestone in solidifying the leadership of the
new Delta and accelerating the planning efforts that are essential
to achieving a seamless integration after the closing of the
merger. In light of the industry’s current challenges,
including record high oil prices, it is clear we were smart to
proceed when we did because this merger will provide the necessary
revenue and cost synergies to better position the combined carrier
for success over the long-term."
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