Atlanta, Ga., USA - February 3, 2016, Atlanta, Ga., USA - Delta Air Lines announced that Richard H. Anderson has chosen to retire as CEO on May 2, 2016.
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Mr. Anderson will be elevated to Executive Chairman of the Delta Air Lines Board of Directors.
Mr. Anderson joined Delta’s Board of Directors in April 2007 and became CEO in September 2007.
Mr. Anderson’s more than 25 years of aviation experience began in 1987 at Continental Airlines. In 1990, he began a 14-year career at Northwest Airlines where he progressed to chief executive officer, a position he held from 2001 to 2004. In September 2007, he joined Delta from United Health Group.
Mr. Anderson has served as chairman of the Airlines for America Board of Directors as well as the International Air Transport Association Board of Governors. He is a director on the Boards of Medtronic, Inc. and Cargill.
Mr. Anderson holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston – Clear Lake and Juris Doctorate from South Texas College of Law.
Ed Bastian, President of Delta, will be appointed CEO effective May 2, 2016.
Prior to his appointment as President, Mr. Bastian served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, a position he held beginning in 2005. He also served as Chief Restructuring Officer between 2005 and 2007, playing a crucial role in the airline’s swift and successful Chapter 11 reorganization.
Mr. Bastian joined Delta in 1998 as Vice President – Finance and Controller and was promoted to Senior Vice President in 2000. He left Delta in early 2005 to become Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Acuity Brands. He returned to Delta in July 2005.
Mr. Bastian graduated of St. Bonaventure University with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration.
Glen Hauenstein, Executive Vice President, will be appointed President of Delta, also effective May 2, 2016.
Before joining Delta, Mr. Hauenstein served as Vice General Director for Alitalia, serving in the dual role of Chief Commercial Officer and Chief Operating Officer. Prior to joining Alitalia in 2003, he was Senior Vice President – Network for Continental Airlines. He joined Continental in 1987 as International Controller.
Mr. Hauenstein is a 1982 graduate of Stetson University, where he received a bachelor's degree in Finance.
Gil West is promoted to Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
Previously, Mr. West served as Senior Vice President – Airport Customer Service and Technical Operations. Joining Delta in March 2008, he led the Delta and Northwest airport and customer service merger integration.
Prior to Delta, Mr. West worked for Laidlaw Transit Services as President and Chief Executive Officer and also held leadership roles at Northwest Airlines, United Airlines and The Boeing Company.
Mr. West attended North Carolina State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. Additionally, he received a MBA from National University in San Diego
Upon Mr. Anderson’s appointment as Executive Chairman on May 2, 2016, Frank Blake, a current Delta Director, will be appointed Lead Director of the Delta Air Lines Board of Directors. ■