America West/US Airways merged team unveiled
The executive team that will lead the merged America West and US Airways will predominantly come from the Phoenix-based carrier when the two are combined under the US Airways name. Doug Parker, as previously announced, will lead the new carrier from its Phoenix headquarters, and US Airways chief executive Bruce Lakefield will leave.
America West’s chief operating officer, Jeff McClelland, will become executive vice-president and chief administrative officer. He is credited with the operational improvements that brought America West out of its delay-plagued performance in the early part of the decade.
Scott Kirby, America West’s vice-president for sales and marketing, will lead the marketing efforts of the combined carrier, which intends to position itself as the first nationwide low-fares network airline.
America West’s Derek Kerr will be the finance chief. Kerr, like Parker and McClelland, is a veteran of Northwest Airlines, while Kirby earlier worked at Sabre. America West general counsel Jim Walsh will have the same title.
The sole US Airways veteran remaining in the top ranks is Al Crellin, an operations expert who oversaw the build-up of the US Airways Philadelphia hub. America West senior vice-president for public affairs CA Howlett will retain that role along with Elise Eberwein, the America West vice-president for corporate communications. The merger is expected to be finalised in October.
David Field Washington
Source: Airline Business
