Dallas, Tx., USA - Southwest Airlines Co. announced that Kevin Krone, vice president & chief marketing officer will retire from the carrier, effective February 15, 2016.
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Mr. Krone began his Southwest career 25 years ago as an intern and rose to become the Company's second-ever Chief Marketing Officer.
As Southwest's highest-level Marketing leader, Mr. Krone oversaw the Company's complete breadth of marketing strategies including advertising, digital, distribution, and mobile.
He also led Southwest initiatives such as innovation, brand development, as well as management and distribution of products; including Rapid Rewards, the award-winning frequent flyer program, and the successful Rapid Rewards Chase/Visa program.
He served on the Board of Directors for HomeAway, Inc., an online marketplace for vacation rentals prior to their acquisition by Expedia in 2015.
He currently serves on the board of UpLift, Inc., an innovative startup at the intersection of marketing and payments located in Sunnyvale, Calif.
Ryan Green, currently Managing Director of Customer Strategy & Development, is being promoted to Vice President of Marketing.
Mr. Green has served in a number of marketing leadership positions during his 14-year tenure at Southwest.
Positions include Director of Loyalty Marketing and Manager of Product Development.
In these previous positions, he launched Rapid Rewards A-List the frequent flyer program's tiered status level, led the development and launch of the Southwest gift card, helped relaunch the Rapid Rewards program in 2011, and laid the groundwork for numerous inflight experience enhancements.
He previously directly managed the Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards credit card program with Chase.
Dave Harvey, currently Senior Director of Capacity Planning, is being promoted to Managing Director of Business Development, and will lead a newly formed business development function, under which Corporate Sales will now report.
Adam Decaire, currently Senior Director of Schedule Planning, is being promoted to Managing Director of Network Planning. ■