American Airways has this week introduced that former CEO Doug Parker might be stepping down from his position as chairman.
Doug Parker retiring as chairman of American
As of April 30, 2023, 61-year-old Doug Parker might be stepping down from his present chairman place at American Airways. 56-year-old Greg Smith will assume the position of chairman as of that point. That is being described as a part of the board’s long-term succession planning course of.
Smith joined American’s board in January 2022, after spending greater than 30 years at Boeing, the place he most lately served as EVP and CFO, main operations, finance, technique, and shared companies organizations. The press launch goes on to elucidate that “he managed Boeing’s general monetary actions and had oversight of the corporate’s manufacturing, operations, provide chain, high quality and program administration groups” (is that actually one thing to be pleased with and spotlight?). 😉
Right here’s what Doug Parker needed to say about this transition:
“Our CEO transition has been flawless due to the good work of Robert Isom, his staff and our board. Now’s the suitable time for our chairman transition and we’re lucky to have Greg Smith in place to imagine that position. Greg has made excellent contributions since becoming a member of American’s board, and his sturdy data of the aviation trade and his a long time of management expertise might be invaluable going ahead.”
Right here’s what Greg Smith needed to say about his new position:
“It’s an honor and privilege to function a board member and now as chairman of this iconic firm. Because of the management and dedication of Doug, Robert and your entire American staff, we’re well-positioned to take the airline to the subsequent degree of excellence. The board and I sit up for working with Robert and this nice staff as we lead American Airways into the longer term.”
In the meantime right here’s what American Airways CEO Robert Isom needed to say about this transition:
“The American Airways staff might be without end grateful to Doug for constructing our airline into what it’s right now. On a private word, I’m grateful for Doug’s partnership over the previous yr as I took on the CEO position. I sit up for persevering with to work with the board and Greg in his new position as we form the American Airways of the longer term.”
It’s not stunning to see Parker leaving American
Parker had an extremely lengthy profession at American Airways (and its predecessors), as he was CEO of American from 2013 till 2021. That doesn’t even account for the time he spent as CEO of America West and US Airways, as he collectively spent over 20 years as CEO of these three US airways, and oversaw two mergers.
So I’m not shocked that he received’t be sticking round as chairman for for much longer, as I all the time obtained the sense that this was only a non permanent position throughout the transition. Understand that when Parker moved to the position of chairman, he wasn’t given an govt place on the firm, in contrast to what we’ve seen at another airways (like Southwest).
I feel we’ve seen that with the transition from Doug Parker to Robert Isom as CEO of American, not an entire lot has modified. That’s not too stunning, when you think about how a lot of American’s senior administration staff has been working collectively for many years — American doesn’t do a lot exterior hiring for senior positions.
Whereas Robert Isom is CEO, it more and more appears to me like Vasu Raja is operating issues in some ways, for higher or worse.
Backside line
As of April 2023, Doug Parker might be stepping down as chairman at American Airways, roughly two years after stepping down as CEO. When Parker retired as CEO of American, it was clear that it could be a reasonably swift transition, and I feel this displays that.
The corporate’s chairman is now former Boeing govt Greg Smith, who was recruited shortly after Parker’s retirement as CEO was revealed.
What do you make of Parker stepping down as American Airways chairman?
