Southwest staffing shake-up
January 13, 2025
Two long-standing Southwest Airlines executive officers, executive vice president and chief financial officer Tammy Romo and chief administration officer Linda Rutherford, are to retire from their positions after more than three decades in their role apiece.
The transition comes amid a prolonged period of tension between the US airline and its minority shareholder, Elliot Investment Management, which has previously called for a sweeping change of leadership.
“For more than three decades, Tammy and Linda have led our organisation with vision, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to excellence,” commented Southwest Airlines president, CEO and vice chairman of the board of directors Bob Jordan. “Both have manged the company through highs and lows – and Southwest Airlines is better because of their influence on many of our most significant achievements”.
Romo joined the airline in 1991 and has held a variety of leadership roles within her 33 year tenure, including head of investor relations and senior vice president of planning. She became executive vice president and chief financial officer in 2012. Rutherford joined a year later, in 1992, and served as chief communications officer before assuming her current role seven years ago.
