Southwest’s Gary Kelly transitions from CEO to chairman

After 18 years as CEO of Southwest Airlines, Gary Kelly retired from the position, but will serve as executive chairman on the board of directors while Bob Jordan serves as CEO. While Kelly has handed the day-to-day operating responsibilities over to Jordan, he remains involved behind the scenes, including joining a supply-chain task force. “I wouldn’t put an endpoint on it, but as long as I can be effective, I’d like to stay,” Kelly said.