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Officer Biographies

Colleen Barrett

Colleen C. Barrett

President Emeritus

Colleen C. Barrett is currently President Emeritus of Southwest Airlines Co., a high-frequency, low-fare, point-to-point airline which prides itself in its excellent Customer Service qualities.*

Prior to stepping down as the Company’s President on July 15, 2008, she oversaw management, Leadership, and budget responsibilities over the following areas/groups: the Senior Vice President Marketing (Marketing, Sales & Distribution; Online Marketing; Revenue Management & Pricing); the Senior Vice President Corporate Communications (Pass Bureau; Emergency Response; Public Relations & Community Affairs; Community Relations & Charitable Giving; Employee Communications; Legislative Awareness); the Senior Vice President Chief People & Administration Officer (People [Human Resources]; Leadership Development & Training; Manager in Training programs; University for People; Performance Reviews; Talent Development; Onboarding Program); the Vice President Customer Relations & Rapid Rewards; the Vice President Labor & Employee Relations (Labor & Employment Law; Employee Relations; FMLA/ADA; Labor Relations & Negotiations); the Vice President Reservations; the Director Corporate Security; and the Executive Office Staff. She was also a member of the Company’s Executive Planning Committee, and she chaired numerous special Teams, task forces, and committees relating to Internal and External Southwest Customers.

Prior to joining Southwest (in 1978), she worked for several years as an Executive Assistant to Herb Kelleher (Southwest’s former Executive Chairman) at his law firm.

For Southwest Airlines, she served as a member of the Board of Directors from 2001 to May 2008 and as Corporate Secretary from March 1978 to May 2008, and she served as Vice President Administration from 1986 to 1990; Executive Vice President Customers from 1990 to 2001; and President from 2001 to July 2008.

Colleen is divorced; has one son and one grandson; is active in numerous civic and charitable organizations in Dallas, Texas; serves on the JCPenney Company, Inc. Board of Directors, the Ken Blanchard College of Business, and the Becker College Board of Trustees; and has served on numerous advisory boards and commissions.

* As a carrier that enjoys giving 100+ million Customers a year the "freedom to fly," we are proud to say that we have consistently received the lowest ratio of complaints per passengers boarded of all Major U.S. carriers that have been reporting statistics to the Department of Transportation (DOT) since September 1987, which is when the DOT began tracking Customer Satisfaction statistics and publishing its Air Travel Consumer Report.

Business Awards and Honors

  • The Transport Workers Union National President Jim Little announced on behalf of local TWU 550, 555, and 556 that, in an unprecedented action, Colleen Barrett was now an honorary lifetime member of the TWU "In grateful appreciation of [her] career of fairness and support for the unionized workers at Southwest Airlines. We love our workplace due to [her] efforts." (December 2008)
  • William Shea Award (2008)
  • Recognized as one of the Top 25 Most Influential Women by the Dallas Business Journal’s Women in Business (2008)
  • Texas Labor Management Hall of Fame (2008)
  • Tower Award, National Association of Women Business Owners, Cleveland (2008)
  • Dallas YWCA Centennial Award 100 Women, 100 Years (2008)
  • Purple Boot Award, Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Texas (2008)
  • Tony Jannus Award Winner (2007)
  • Junior Achievement’s Dallas Business Hall of Fame (2007)
  • Girls Inc. Honoree (2007)
  • Outstanding Woman in Aviation Award (2007)
  • World’s 100 Most Powerful Women: Forbes.com (2005, 2004)
  • Texas CASA’s Lone Star Champions For Kids Award (2005)
  • Horatio Alger Award (2005)
  • Women in Aviation, International Pioneer Hall of Fame (2005)
  • Texas Trailblazer Award (2005)
  • IWF Woman Who Makes A Difference Award (2004)
  • Aiming High Honoree: National Organization of Women (2003)
  • Featured in Texas Women—Trailblazers, Shining Stars & Cowgirls (2003)
  • Distinguished Women’s Award: Northwood University (2003)
  • Women in the Economy-Woman of the Month: NCPA (2003)
  • 50 Most Powerful Women in Business: Fortune (2003, 2002)
  • 100 Most Influential Women in Aviation: Women in Aviation International (WAI) (2003)
  • Woman of Distinction Award: Birmingham-Southern CollegeGALA XVI (2003)
  • Top 50 Leaders: Fast Company Magazine (2003)
  • Business People of the Year: Dallas Business Journal (2002)
  • Best Managers: BusinessWeek (2002)
  • Women’s Leadership Exchange Compass Award (2002)
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Virginia Aviation Award (2002)
  • eComm Ten Awards: Business Wire, Inc. (2002)
  • Louise Raggio Pathfinder Award: National Association of Women Business Owners (2002)
  • Kupfer Distinguished Executive Award (2002)
  • People to Watch: Fortune Magazine (2002)
  • Staples Store Dedication in Claremont, NH (2002)
  • America’s Most Powerful Business Women: Fortune Magazine (2001)
  • Texas Business Woman of the Year: Texas Women’s Chamber of Commerce (2001)
  • Mentor of the Month: Women’s Enterprise (2000)
  • The Most Powerful Women in Travel: Travel Agent Magazine (several years)

Education

Graduated with highest honors from Becker Junior College, Worcester, MA (1964)

Personal Background

Born September 14, 1944; divorced; one son, Patrick; and one grandson, Evan Daniel.

Business and Civic Affiliations

  • The Ken Blanchard College of Business-Advisory Board, 2006-present
  • Board of Trustees Becker College, 2006-present
  • Board of Directors of JCPenney Company, Inc., 2004-present
  • Board of Directors of the Better Business Bureau of Metropolitan Dallas, Inc., 2002-present
  • Member, The Dallas Forum, 1990-present
  • Member, International Women’s Forum, 1985-present
  • Southwest Airlines Co.—President Emeritus, July 2008-present
  • Southwest Airlines Co.—President, 2004-July 2008
  • Southwest Airlines Co.—President & COO, 2001 to 2004
  • Southwest Airlines Co.—Board of Directors, 2001-2008
  • Southwest Airlines Co.—Executive Vice President-Customers, 1990-2001
  • Southwest Airlines Co.—Vice President-Administration, 1986-1990
  • Southwest Airlines Co.—Corporate Secretary, 1978-2008

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