Southwest Airlines’ Mike Van de Ven will leave his role as COO at the end of September and his role as president at the end of December, the carrier announced Monday. Southwest CEO Bob Jordan will assume the additional role of president, effective Jan. 1, 2023. Van de Ven will become an executive advisor for the company beginning in early 2023.
Van de Ven had been at Southwest for nearly three decades and oversaw operations as chief of operations and COO for more than 16 years, according to the company.
The departure has resulted in three executive promotions to take effect Oct. 1.
EVP and chief commercial officer Andrew Watterson will assume the role of COO. He joined Southwest in 2013. SVP and CMO Ryan Green will take over Watterson’s current role. He has been with Southwest for about 20 years, according to the carrier. Linda Rutherford has been promoted to chief administration and communications officer from EVP of people and communications and chief communications officer. She is a 30-year Southwest veteran.