Southwest Airlines effective Dec. 1 is making several changes to its roster of senior executives, “to provide additional focus and clarity to support the company’s strategic priorities,” the carrier announced Monday.
Justin Jones will become EVP of operations, reporting to chief operating officer Andrew Watterson, after having served as VP of operational strategy and design since December 2021. He will be responsible for daily ground operations, technical operations and air operations, as well as the operations strategy and design team. He joined Southwest in 2001.
Tony Roach will be promoted to a new role of SVP and chief customer officer, reporting to EVP and chief commercial officer Ryan Green, who will now report to Watterson, according to Southwest. In addition to overseeing the customer experience team, Roach will provide executive leadership to the marketing, digital experience, travel products, innovation, customer engagement, and customer support and services departments. He has been with the carrier for more than two decades and most recently was SVP of marketing and customer experience.
Among additional changes, Elizabeth Bryant was named SVP and chief people officer, and Whitney Eichinger was named SVP and chief communications officer. Both positions will report to Southwest chief administration officer Linda Rutherford. Further, Jason Van Eaton will be promoted to SVP and chief corporate affairs officer, reporting to EVP and chief legal and regulatory officer Mark Shaw.
