Southwest Airlines Co. announced that Kevin Krone, Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer will retire from the carrier, effective Feb. 15, 2016. Krone began his Southwest career 25 years ago as an intern and rose to become the Company's second-ever Chief Marketing Officer. As Southwest's Marketing leader, Krone oversaw the Company's complete breadth of marketing strategies including advertising, digital, distribution, and mobile. He also led Southwest initiatives such as
innovation, brand development, as well as management and distribution of products; including Rapid Rewards®, the award-winning frequent flyer program, and the successful Rapid Rewards® Chase/Visa program. Ryan Green, currently Managing Director of Customer Strategy & Development, is being promoted to Vice President of Marketing. Krone has more than 20 years' experience in leading marketing, distribution, and technology strategies in the airline sector. Krone served on the Board of Directors for HomeAway Inc. He currently serves on the board of UpLift Inc. Additional promotions to the Managing Director level include: Dave Harvey, currently Senior Director of Capacity Planning, is being promoted to Managing Director of Business Development, and will lead a newly formed business development function, under which Corporate Sales will now report. Adam Decaire, currently Senior Director of Schedule Planning, is being promoted to Managing Director of Network Planning. Both Dave and Adam will report to Andrew Watterson who takes on the expanded role of Senior Vice President of Network and Revenue.