Southwest Airlines Names New Station Manager for New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS--June 10, 1999--Southwest Airlines named Bruce Ryan as the new station manager for the Company’s operations at New Orleans International Airport.

"I’m excited about the opportunities in New Orleans and am thrilled to work with this station’s enthusiastic Employees," Ryan said. "I look forward to helping Southwest maintain our excellent service in New Orleans."

Ryan began his career at Southwest in 1982 as a ramp agent in Oklahoma City. Since then, he has held several positions including Oklahoma City and Reno operations agent, Kansas City operations supervisor, Oklahoma City Customer Service supervisor, Houston manager of Customer Service, and most recently was the assistant station manager in Houston.

"We look forward to working with Bruce in his new position and know he will be a great asset to the New Orleans station," said Chris Wahlenmaier, a Southwest Airlines director of ground operations.

Currently, Ryan is completing Southwest’s Manager in Training (MIT) program, adding to his 17 years of leadership experience.

Southwest currently operates 51 daily nonstop departures from New Orleans to such destinations as Baltimore/Washington, Birmingham, Dallas, Houston Hobby, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Las Vegas, Nashville, Orlando, Phoenix, and Tampa Bay.

With more than 27,000 Employees nationwide, Southwest Airlines is the fourth largest airline in terms of Customers boarded and has been included in FORTUNE magazine’s list of the 100 Best Companies to Work for in America for two years in a row.