American and US Airways announce the senior management team for the merged company

AMR Corporation (Dallas), the parent company of American Airlines, Inc. (Dallas/Fort Worth), and US Airways Group, Inc. (US Airways) (Phoenix) today announced the senior leadership team responsible for guiding the new American Airlines after the closing of the companies’ expected merger.

As previously announced, Tom Horton, 52, will serve as Chairman of the Board of the new American Airlines. Doug Parker, 51, will serve as Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors. The senior leadership team announced today includes:

Scott Kirby, 45, President: responsibilities include planning, marketing, sales, alliances, pricing/yield management and operations
Elise Eberwein, 48, Executive Vice President, People and Communications: responsible for human resources, media relations, internal communications, social media and public affairs
Beverly Goulet, 58, Chief Integration Officer: will lead the complex integration process of merging American Airlines and US Airways into one airline
Robert Isom, 49, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive Officer of US Airways, Inc. post-close: responsible for all aspects of airline operations, including customer service, flight operations, maintenance, regional carrier management, cargo, safety and security
Stephen Johnson, 56, Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs: responsibilities include corporate and legal affairs, government and regulatory affairs, labor relations, and real estate
Derek Kerr, 48, Chief Financial Officer: responsible for oversight of all financial areas, including financial planning and analysis, corporate finance and treasury functions, purchasing, controller and audit functions and investor relations
Maya Leibman, 47, Chief Information Officer: responsible for all information technology systems, including systems development, infrastructure, and planning
William Ris, 65, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs: responsible for all federal and international government and regulatory affairs and public policy

Kirby, Eberwein, Isom, Johnson and Kerr will join the new American from US Airways; Goulet, Leibman and Ris will join from American.

American Airlines and US Airways also noted that Dan Garton will step down as President and Chief Executive Officer of American Eagle Airlines later this year. A successor will be named prior to Mr. Garton’s departure.

AMR and US Airways also announced today the members of the Board of Directors of the combined company after the closing of the companies’ expected merger. The new Board will be comprised of the following individuals, who the companies believe have the experience, breadth and perspective to guide the new American Airlines to create value for all of the company’s stakeholders:

John T. Cahill, Lead Independent Director
James F. Albaugh
Jeffrey D. Benjamin
Michael J. Embler
Matthew J. Hart
Alberto Ibarguen
Richard C. Kraemer
Denise M. O’Leary
Ray M. Robinson
Richard P. Schifter

As previously announced, AMR and US Airways agreed to combine to create the new American Airlines, a premier global carrier. Headquartered in Dallas-Fort Worth, the new American Airlines will become a highly competitive alternative for consumers to other global carriers and will provide greater flight opportunities, with more than 6,700 daily flights to 336 destinations in 56 countries. The combined airline will offer customers more choices and increased service across a larger worldwide network and through an enhanced oneworld® Alliance. Together, American Airlines andUS Airways are expected to operate a mainline fleet of almost 950 aircraft and employ more than 100,000 people worldwide. The merger is subject to regulatory approvals, approval by US Airways shareholders, other customary closing conditions and confirmation of American Airlines’ Plan of Reorganization by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.

Bottom Line: The new American with be CEO Doug Parker’s airline managed by mostly his former US Airways managers. Although the American name is retained (as it was with US Airways), it is really America West Airlines now operating as the new American Airlines when the merger is approved.

Copyright Photo: Marcelo F. De Biasi/AirlinersGallery.com. Old and new AA tails meet at Washington (Reagan National), a key strategic airport for the new American.

American Airlines: