Southwest Airlines Co. has announced that two longtime board members, John Denison and Nancy Loeffler, will not stand for re-election to the airline’s board. The company has stated that Eduardo Conrado, president of non-profit health system Ascension, and Elaine Mendoza, founder and CEO of health-related software and medical analytics company Conceptual MindWorks, are being considered to succeed them. Both Conrado and Mendoza will be on the ballot at Southwest’s 2023 annual shareholders meeting.
Nancy Loeffler has been with Southwest Airlines since 2003 and had a total compensation of $277,520 in 2022. John Denison has served in various capacities with Southwest Airlines for 34 years, starting as vice president of fleet planning and progressing to his current role as executive vice president and CFO.
According to a company press release, Gary C. Kelly, Southwest’s Chairman and CEO, stated, “We are grateful to John Denison and Nancy Loeffler for their many years of service to Southwest. Their leadership, experience, and knowledge have contributed significantly to our success. We wish them well in their future endeavors.”
Eduardo Conrado, who is being considered for a seat on the board, currently serves as the executive vice president and chief strategy and innovation officer for Ascension, an organization that operates more than 2,600 sites of care, including hospitals, clinics, and healthcare facilities. He has held various positions within Motorola, Inc., where he was responsible for developing and implementing the firm’s long-term growth strategies. Conrado has also served on the boards of the American Red Cross and the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association.
Elaine Mendoza serves as the founder, president, and CEO of Conceptual MindWorks, a company that specializes in healthcare software solutions and medical analytics. She has been recognized for her work in helping small businesses grow and has been named one of the “Top Latino Leaders in America” by Latino Leaders magazine. Mendoza holds a degree in aerospace engineering from Texas A&M University and serves on several boards, including the Governor’s Texas Economic Development Corporation and the Texas A&M University Board of Regents.
Should they be elected to Southwest’s board of directors, Conrado and Mendoza would bring extensive experience in healthcare, technology, and business leadership. These skills would complement the existing board of directors and help guide Southwest’s continued growth and success.
As part of the leadership transition, Southwest Airlines is also continuing to focus on other strategic priorities, such as improving its customer service, expanding its network and fleet, and investing in new technologies to enhance the travel experience for its customers.
For example, Southwest recently announced plans to acquire 100 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, along with options for an additional 155 aircraft, to support the airline’s plans for growth and modernization. The aircraft deal is expected to help Southwest reduce operating costs, improve fuel efficiency, and increase the airline’s overall flexibility.
In addition, Southwest is investing in new technologies to improve the travel experience for its customers. This includes implementing a new reservation system that provides additional capabilities for customers, such as improved flight status updates, enhanced flight rebooking options, and an updated mobile app.
Overall, the nomination of Conrado and Mendoza to Southwest’s board and the continued focus on strategic priorities demonstrate the airline’s commitment to evolving and strengthening its position within the industry. As the airline industry continues to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, strong leadership will be essential for navigating new challenges and seizing opportunities in the future.
