American Airlines VP of sales and distribution strategy Cory Garner has decided to stay in his role. Garner, who pioneered American's direct connect strategy and more recently has driven its strategy regarding the International Air Transport Association's New Distribution Capability standard, had announced earlier this year that he would leave the carrier at the end of the year. "After a lot of soul-searching, the most important thing I've learned about myself is that there is no amount of responsibility, notoriety or money that would make me happier than staying right here with the company and people that I love," Garner said in a LinkedIn post. "Our story is unfinished and too important to the company and the industry not to finish writing together."