Anderson to be named CEO of Delta

[Beetle007]

I don't have access to the full article, but it looks like Richard Anderson is going to be Delta's new CEO.

You guys are lucky if this happens. He is a stand up guy from what I have seen and heard.



http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118771852896704244.html?mod=yahoo_hs&ru=yahoo

 

[lowecur]

Bastian and Whitehurst get the shaft after doing all the dirty work. No such thing as loyalty in this business.


Delta Air to Name Anderson CEO


ATLANTA -- Delta Air Lines Inc. is expected to announce today that it will name Richard Anderson, a current board member and the former chief executive of Northwest Airlines Corp., as its new chief executive, according to people familiar with the situation.

The announcement, expected after the close of financial markets, would put an end to a three-and-a-half month search for a successor to current Chief Executive Officer Gerald Grinstein, 74 year old, who announced he would retire from the Atlanta airline after leading it through bankruptcy proceedings. The company emerged from bankruptcy court protection in April.

Mr. Anderson, 52, is currently an executive vice president at UnitedHealth Group Inc.

A spokeswoman for Delta declined to comment. Don Nathan, a spokesman for United Health, also declined to comment.

 

[ACL65PILOT]

I believe that he is pro expansion and not a fan of consolidation.

I was hoping for one of the duo, as we at least know what they want to do. This could get interesting.

 

[General Lee]

Anderson was very well liked at NWA, but left for a bigger money job and United Healthcare as one of their senior VPs. He was appointed to the board of directors at Delta, and there was some speculation he could be the next CEO. I am pleased. Whitehurst, the COO, was my second choice, but he is 39 and likely not going anywhere for awhile. Bastian, the CFO, was not liked by the pilots (making statements in BK court like "I stay awake at night wondering if I took ENOUGH from the pilots") but he was a good CFO, and he should remain the CFO. Look out for big announcements coming up from our new CEO about orders, routes, etc.


Hey fins, I told you I thought he could be our man.



Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[VeeOne]

When a CFO becomes CEO, run for the hills............

 

[jonjuan]

LOL.....good luck

 

[Jet_Driver]

NWA + DAL = Merger?

A pilot for NWA told me a few weeks back that he looks for a NWA/DAL merger within 18 months. Any speculation on that from this?

Discuss.

 

[lowecur]

Managers that jump from job to job for the bucks generally are not the kind of people you want to hire. Since this business lacks very little stability, he should fit right in till the next downturn on the rollercoaster.

In my opinion a guy like Alan Malally at Ford will do an excellent job. Long a loyal manager at Boeing, he was overlooked for the CEO.....so he moved on....and IMO will do a great job.

imp:​

 

[bravodude]

Anderson was very well liked at NWA, but left for a bigger money job and United Healthcare as one of their senior VPs. He was appointed to the board of directors at Delta, and there was some speculation he could be the next CEO. I am pleased. Whitehurst, the COO, was my second choice, but he is 39 and likely not going anywhere for awhile. Bastian, the CFO, was not liked by the pilots (making statements in BK court like "I stay awake at night wondering if I took ENOUGH from the pilots") but he was a good CFO, and he should remain the CFO. Look out for big announcements coming up from our new CEO about orders, routes, etc.


Hey fins, I told you I thought he could be our man.



Bye Bye--General Lee

pro expansion thats just what you guys need. slash costs cut pensions slash a/c payments for what more a/c payments brilliant just brilliant. Now I know I made the right choice.

 

[gutshotdraw]

A pilot for NWA told me a few weeks back that he looks for a NWA/DAL merger within 18 months. Any speculation on that from this?

Discuss.

Ding! BOHICA boys and girls.

 

[Truckdriver]

Managers that jump from job to job for the bucks generally are not the kind of people you want to hire. Since this business lacks very little stability, he should fit right in till the next downturn on the rollercoaster.

In my opinion a guy like Alan Malally at Ford will do an excellent job. Long a loyal manager at Boeing, he was overlooked for the CEO.....so he moved on....and IMO will do a great job.

imp:​

Hopefully Whitehurst won't feel like Malally and leave Delta because he didn't get the job. He's one guy that we need to keep around and hopefully this won't cause him to leave. He's still 15 years younger than Anderson so maybe Whitehurst can be the next CEO or the next one after the next one.

 

[Truckdriver]

A pilot for NWA told me a few weeks back that he looks for a NWA/DAL merger within 18 months. Any speculation on that from this?

Discuss.

I don't think Anderson is for industry consolodation. He for one knows what a mess NWA is and hopefully he doesn't want to attempt to bring that mess into Delta. It would be a disaster for both companies at this point.

 

[Sedona16]

Delta Air Lines Board of Directors Names Richard Anderson
to Lead Airline into New Era

Newly appointed CEO ready to join Delta people in positioning airline as undisputed leader in customer service, operational performance and financial strength

Board also names Ed Bastian as president and CFO

ATLANTA, Aug. 21, 2007 – The Board of Directors of Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) today announced it has elected Richard H. Anderson to serve as the company’s chief executive officer, succeeding retiring CEO Gerald Grinstein. Anderson brings a unique depth of experience to the position, having served in top jobs for several major U.S. corporations, including executive vice president of UnitedHealth Group; chief executive officer of Northwest Airlines; staff vice president and deputy general counsel at Continental Airlines; and most recently as a member of Delta’s Board of Directors. Anderson will become CEO effective Sept. 1.
“After a thorough search, the Board concluded that Richard Anderson possesses the right blend of seasoned leadership, strategic skills, international experience and airline knowledge the company needs to navigate the industry’s challenges and capitalize on its opportunities,” said Daniel A. Carp, chairman of Delta’s Board of Directors. “Well-qualified with a proven track record in this highly competitive industry, Richard has a demonstrated ability to master the competitive pressures of today’s marketplace with innovation and an unwavering focus on the customer. He brings complementary strengths to Delta’s highly talented leadership team and high admiration for the people of Delta and their recent success in restructuring to become a fiercely competitive airline.”
Anderson, age 52, has nearly 20 years of airline industry experience and will become the eighth CEO in Delta’s 78-year history.
“Delta people have made amazing accomplishments and have a passion for customer service that is renowned in the industry. I am honored to accept the challenge of leading this legendary company into a future that holds great promise,” Anderson said. “With a solid strategy in place that provides a dynamic platform for future growth and success, I look forward to working side by side with Delta professionals to make Delta an undisputed leader in customer service, operational performance and financial strength and stability.
“In the coming weeks, I will spend the majority of my time listening to Delta people to learn how we can further improve the customer experience and position our company as an even better place to work. Backed by award-winning products and services, Delta has great things in store for its customers and I am eager to support the commitment of our 48,000 dedicated professionals worldwide to remaining the airline of choice for our customers,” Anderson stated.

With Anderson’s appointment, Gerald Grinstein, 75, will retire from his position as CEO and a member of the Board of Directors effective Sept. 1, concluding his distinguished 20-year tenure as a Delta director.
“It has been a privilege to serve this company and the greatest people in the industry,” Grinstein said. “I have known Richard for a long time. He is a ferocious competitor, thoroughly knowledgeable about airline operations, and understands the link between passenger satisfaction and living up to our service commitments. He has an extensive background in the Far East and Asia, which are among Delta’s next growth opportunities. Richard’s sound judgment and professionalism make him a great addition to Delta’s battle-tested leadership team.”
In addition to Anderson’s appointment, the Board of Directors also announced that Chief Financial Officer Edward H. Bastian will be promoted to President and Chief Financial Officer, reporting to Anderson.
“Richard Anderson is a true professional with a proven track record,” Bastian said. “I am looking forward to working with Richard as we position our company for an even stronger future.”
Anderson brings to Delta extensive leadership experience at the most senior levels in the aviation industry as well as in other corporations. Most recently, Anderson served as executive vice president of UnitedHealth Group and president of UnitedHealth’s Commercial Markets Group. Prior to joining UnitedHealth in 2004, he had a 14-year career at Northwest Airlines where he served as vice president and deputy general counsel; senior vice president of Technical Operations and Airport Affairs; executive vice president and chief operating officer; and as chief executive officer from 2001 to 2004. Prior to joining Northwest in 1990, Anderson worked as in-house counsel for Continental Airlines, where he ultimately served as staff vice president and deputy general counsel. Anderson also serves as a member of the Board of Directors for Cargill Inc. and Medtronic Inc.
Anderson holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston and a Juris Doctor degree from South Texas College of Law. He and his wife, Susan, look forward to relocating to the Atlanta area this fall.
Delta Air Lines operates service to more destinations than any global airline with Delta and Delta Connection flights to 328 destinations in 56 countries. Since 2005, Delta has added more international capacity than all other major U.S. airlines combined and is a leader across the Atlantic with flights to 36 trans-Atlantic markets. To Latin America and the Caribbean, Delta offers more than 600 weekly flights to nearly 60 destinations. Delta's marketing alliances also allow customers to earn and redeem SkyMiles on nearly 15,000 flights offered by SkyTeam and other partners. Delta is a founding member of SkyTeam, a global airline alliance that provides customers with extensive worldwide destinations, flights and services. Including its SkyTeam and worldwide codeshare partners, Delta offers flights to 481 worldwide destinations in 105 countries. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes and check flight status at delta.com.

B-roll available
Additional information on Delta’s appointment of a new CEO – including audio and video clips of Richard Anderson and Gerald Grinstein – can be found at the newsroom at media.delta.com and via satellite at the following coordinates:

Feed date: Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2007
Feed time: 5-6 p.m. EDT
AMC 2 KU Digital
Transponder 3 Channel A9
9MHZ
Uplink 14046.5 Horizontal
Downlink 11746.5 Vertical
Carrier Access 1-877-358-2263

 

[Beetle007]

I don't think Anderson is coming to Delta for the money. He has spent most of his career in the airline industry and I can imagine working at United Healthcare was rather boring. If you think he is after the money, I would do a little reasearch on how much those Execs make at United Healthcare.

"Forbes magazine reports that William W. McGuire, CEO of UnitedHealth Group received compensation of $124.8 million in 2005."

I have heard Anderson left NWA because he didn't think Bankruptcy was the answer.

 

[ACL65PILOT]

For the record the President of UHC has made a lot of money. He has made billions for its investors. It makes a lot more money than you think.

 

[doh]

Anderson was very well liked at NWA, but left for a bigger money job and United Healthcare as one of their senior VPs. He was appointed to the board of directors at Delta, and there was some speculation he could be the next CEO. I am pleased. Whitehurst, the COO, was my second choice, but he is 39 and likely not going anywhere for awhile. Bastian, the CFO, was not liked by the pilots (making statements in BK court like "I stay awake at night wondering if I took ENOUGH from the pilots") but he was a good CFO, and he should remain the CFO. Look out for big announcements coming up from our new CEO about orders, routes, etc.


Hey fins, I told you I thought he could be our man.



Bye Bye--General Lee

Well liked at NWA? Where on earth did you hear that? He was certainly not well liked by the rank and file. Maybe the board or some other anti labor groups at NWA liked him.

 

[snow-back]

I don't think Anderson is coming to Delta for the money. He has spent most of his career in the airline industry and I can imagine working at United Healthcare was rather boring. If you think he is after the money, I would do a little reasearch on how much those Execs make at United Healthcare.

"Forbes magazine reports that William W. McGuire, CEO of UnitedHealth Group received compensation of $124.8 million in 2005."

I have heard Anderson left NWA because he didn't think Bankruptcy was the answer.

William McGuire was also forced to resign from UNH because of the stock option backdating scandal. I don't know if Mr. Anderson had any involvement.

 

[General Lee]

Well liked at NWA? Where on earth did you hear that? He was certainly not well liked by the rank and file. Maybe the board or some other anti labor groups at NWA liked him.

That's not exactly what I have heard, and you are the first NW pilot to say otherwise to me.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[B6Busdriver]

A pilot for NWA told me a few weeks back that he looks for a NWA/DAL merger within 18 months. Any speculation on that from this?

Discuss.

Did your friend tell you about the Continental-Aer Lingus merger too?

 

[General Lee]

Jim Whitehurst likely to leave too. That is a bummer.

Delta exec expected to leave

Jim Whitehurst, a top executive and an architect of the airlines' turnaround, will likely exit now that he's been passed over as CEO, writes Fortune's Matthew Boyle.

By Matthew Boyle, Fortune writer
August 21 2007: 5:29 PM EDT


(Fortune Magazine) -- When Delta Air Lines named board member Richard Anderson as its new CEO Tuesday, speculation mounted that it would soon lose a major architect of its ongoing turnaround.
Industry experts say that Jim Whitehurst, Delta's COO and an internal candidate for the CEO job, is expected to leave the company now that he's been passed over for the top post.

Richard Anderson was named CEO of Delta. A top executive and CEO candidate, Jim Whitehurst, is now expected to leave.


"Whether he's gone today or tomorrow, he's gone," said Jeremy Garlington, publisher of The Garlington Report.
A Delta spokeswoman and Whitehurst declined to comment late Tuesday.
Delta names new CEO
Whitehurst, 38, is widely credited with spearheading the airline's customer service and international expansion strategies.
A former director at Boston Consulting Group who joined Delta (Charts, Fortune 500) in 2002, Whitehurst is perhaps best known for developing the Velvet Rope Tour, a risky multi-million dollar effort to restore confidence among its thousands of flight attendants.
The program has begun to pay dividends. Delta earned the No. 2 spot in customer satisfaction among traditional carriers in North America in the J.D. Power and Associates 2007 Airline Satisfaction Index Study.
Industry consultants said that losing Whitehurst would be a big blow to Delta, which came out of bankruptcy earlier this year. "He is the familiar face to a lot of employees," says Michael Miller, a partner at aviation consultancy The Velocity Group. "That, to me, is a negative."

Anderson's ascension to the CEO post also raises questions regarding his impartiality during the search process, according to Garlington, a leadership consultant.
Anderson reportedly was not present for interviews of internal candidates, "which would suggest, at least perceptually, that Anderson was in it for the CEO job all along," Garlington said.
Delta CFO Edward Bastian, who today was promoted to president while retaining his current duties, was the other internal candidate for the top job.
Anderson is currently president of the commercial services unit at UnitedHealth Group (Charts, Fortune 500) and was named to Delta's board earlier this year. Prior to UnitedHealth, he was CEO of Northwest Airlines (Charts, Fortune 500), the nation's fifth-largest carrier. Northwest entered bankruptcy on the same day as Delta in 2005.
While it might seem strange for a sitting board member to move into the CEO slot, it's happened before at Delta. Gerald Grinstein, Delta's CEO since January 2004, has been a director of Delta since 1987, when his Western Airlines merged with Delta.
Anderson's appointment will also surely rekindle rumors of a Delta-Northwest merger, but Miller dismissed such talk.
"You need to have your house in order first," he said. Among Delta's challenges are ensuring that its expanded offering of 60 new international flights remains profitable, and dealing with an aging fleet of MD80 aircraft.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[Diesel-9]

Mr. Anderson had a good reputation from the beginning. Those working with him from his beginning days were very impressed with him. He learned the operation and did many good things. As CEO was a good people person. The day he spent with us at a leadership seminar, I thought, like others I know who meet him, he was an asset. He talked then of the demands and challenges of this industry and all the time he didn't have with his family. The money and opportunity at UHC was too good to pass up at a time the industry was tanking. With rumors of UAL/CAL getting together with a deal soon, he was/is the guy to have as a NWA/DAL is very probable if UAL/CAL happens. The bet now is how much the Golden Share will be purchased for. Tilton is desperate enough to pay ton's for it. Could pay for the first 3-4 787's.

 

[General Lee]

Incoming Delta CEO says no plan for Northwest deal

Tue Aug 21, 2007 5:02PM EDT

NEW YORK, Aug 21 (Reuters) - The incoming chief executive of Delta Air Lines Inc (DAL.N: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Tuesday there were "no plans or intentions" to merge Delta with rival Northwest Airlines Corp (NWA.N: Quote, Profile, Research).
Richard Anderson, who was named as Delta's next chief executive earlier on Tuesday, made the comments on a conference call with reporters after being named as the successor to Gerald Grinstein, who retires on Sept. 1.
The appointment of Anderson, a former CEO of Northwest, fanned speculation from earlier this year that the two airlines, which emerged from bankruptcy a few months ago, might merge.




Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[Scrapdog]

Incoming Delta CEO says no plan for Northwest deal

Tue Aug 21, 2007 5:02PM EDT

NEW YORK, Aug 21 (Reuters) - The incoming chief executive of Delta Air Lines Inc (DAL.N: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Tuesday there were "no plans or intentions" to merge Delta with rival Northwest Airlines Corp (NWA.N: Quote, Profile, Research).
Richard Anderson, who was named as Delta's next chief executive earlier on Tuesday, made the comments on a conference call with reporters after being named as the successor to Gerald Grinstein, who retires on Sept. 1.
The appointment of Anderson, a former CEO of Northwest, fanned speculation from earlier this year that the two airlines, which emerged from bankruptcy a few months ago, might merge.




Bye Bye--General Lee

As usual, the General drinking the DAL kool-aid. "No plans or intentions" - sounds exactly like the calm before the storm. Continue to drink away General.

 

[John Pennekamp]

Incoming Delta CEO says no plan for Northwest deal

Tue Aug 21, 2007 5:02PM EDT

NEW YORK, Aug 21 (Reuters) - The incoming chief executive of Delta Air Lines Inc (DAL.N: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Tuesday there were "no plans or intentions" to merge Delta with rival Northwest Airlines Corp (NWA.N: Quote, Profile, Research).
Richard Anderson, who was named as Delta's next chief executive earlier on Tuesday, made the comments on a conference call with reporters after being named as the successor to Gerald Grinstein, who retires on Sept. 1.
The appointment of Anderson, a former CEO of Northwest, fanned speculation from earlier this year that the two airlines, which emerged from bankruptcy a few months ago, might merge.




Bye Bye--General Lee

"No plans or intentions". So you can count on it happening in 18 months. But he didn't lie... they have no plan for what to do with the merger. Just like the Am West/US Air deal. Poor planning.

 

[johnsonrod]

Here we go again with the merger speculation. Let me be very, very clear: NO WAY the DOJ will allow any consolidation to the detriment of consumer choice when two viable entities can coexist. AWA acquired USAirways because it was about to be liquidated. That was the lone precedent and the circumstances were very transparent to everyone.

A merger will never happen unless liquidation is imminent - GET IT??????????????

 

[wms]

DAL and NWA both said they had no plans for BK the day before they announced BK. Look at all the things airline mgmts say and then shortly do the opposite. There is no credibility in their words, and their actions prove it.

 

[FDJ2]

A pilot for NWA told me a few weeks back that he looks for a NWA/DAL merger within 18 months. Any speculation on that from this?

Discuss.

It's not going to happen for a variety of reasons.

 

[General Lee]

As usual, the General drinking the DAL kool-aid. "No plans or intentions" - sounds exactly like the calm before the storm. Continue to drink away General.

As usual, you don't believe "the man" in the news reports. You don't believe anything you read, even though it could come back to haunt them, the people who were quoted, in the end. Yeah, I am gulping the Delta Kool-aid, even though it came from Reuters.....? Riiiiiiight.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[JAM-BRO]

The only reason Anderson left NWA and went to United Hlth was because he was not going to be the one to bust unions. It was not for the money. The Executive Rat(Steenland) said "I do" and that was what set Wilson's plan in motion. The plan was to get rid of the mechs and FAs. The mechs took the bait, went on strike and got locked out. With the help of ALPA and every other union at NWA, they were gone. The FAs voted TAs down but never pulled the strike trigger, thus were not locked out. Anderson said "screw that" and went to United. I've always said that he loved running an airline. I was not surprised to see him get a position in DAL's board and now get the helm. He is a good guy overall. I think!!!!!!!!

Anderson was very well liked at NWA, but left for a bigger money job and United Healthcare as one of their senior VPs. He was appointed to the board of directors at Delta, and there was some speculation he could be the next CEO. I am pleased. Whitehurst, the COO, was my second choice, but he is 39 and likely not going anywhere for awhile. Bastian, the CFO, was not liked by the pilots (making statements in BK court like "I stay awake at night wondering if I took ENOUGH from the pilots") but he was a good CFO, and he should remain the CFO. Look out for big announcements coming up from our new CEO about orders, routes, etc.


Hey fins, I told you I thought he could be our man.



Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[Dumb Pilot]

Here we go again with the merger speculation. Let me be very, very clear: NO WAY the DOJ will allow any consolidation to the detriment of consumer choice when two viable entities can coexist. AWA acquired USAirways because it was about to be liquidated. That was the lone precedent and the circumstances were very transparent to everyone.

A merger will never happen unless liquidation is imminent - GET IT??????????????

Many years ago I would agree with that statement but it is a different market now and it is not only just a few names that are out there anymore, the integration of these two carriers would not eliminate the traveling public choices in the domestic arena (With all the LCC's) and in the international arena It does make a lot of sense to consolidate the strong markets across the Atlantic and the Pacific. Now having said that, it will be a nightmare to consolidate fleets and employees.

But you have to admit that it is interesting that a NWA insider is heading DAL, I can't think of anybody that can bring together the key players for that sort of thing. Can you?