Leah Koontz

Senior Vice President Controller

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Leadership is..."supporting your team, empowering them to get the job done, and being unafraid to make decisions."

Title: Senior Vice President Controller

JOB DESCRIPTION: Responsible for Accounting, Financial Reporting, Internal Controls, Tax, and Accounting Operations

EXPERIENCE: Vice President Controller of Southwest Airlines Co. Previous positions at Southwest: Assistant Controller (November 2005-August 2008); Director Financial Accounting (July 2001-November 2005); Manager General Accounting (December 1997-June 2001); Manager Passenger Revenue Accounting (December 1996-December 1997); Manager Cargo Accounting (June 1996-November 1996); Senior Supervisor Sales & Revenue Accounting (December 1995-June 1996); Senior Revenue Accounting Analyst (January 1995-November 1995); Revenue Accounting Analyst II (August 1993-January 1995). Prior to joining Southwest, Leah was an Audit Senior at Ernst and Young.

EDUCATION: B.B.A. in Accounting from the University of Texas at Arlington

LENGTH OF SERVICE AT SOUTHWEST: Started in August 1993

FAMILY: Husband Kyle

FIRST PAYING JOB: Car Hop at a place called "Somewhere Else" (a Sonic knock-off). Because I'm a klutz, they wouldn't let me wear roller skates on the job.

PROUDEST MOMENT: Getting married on the beach

BEST ADVICE EVER RECEIVED: From my Dad when I graduated: "You'll spend a lot of time at the office, so just make sure you love where you work".

BEST ADVICE EVER GIVEN: Hire people smarter than you, then get out of their way and let them do their thing!