New president and COO for Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines chairman and chief executive officer Gary C. Kelly has announced changes to the company’s executive leadership ranks with Thomas M. Nealon named as president and Michael G. Van de Ven named as the airline’s Chief Operating Officer. These changes are effective immediately. In his role as president, Nealon, 55, will report to Kelly and have responsibility for the commercial, finance, technology, corporate delivery, and corporate strategy departments. Commercial and finance functions will transition to Nealon later this year. Nealon re-joined Southwest a year ago as Executive vice president strategy & innovation. He had previously been a member of