Scott Kirby
Scott Kirby (born August 13, 1967) is an American executive currently serving as CEO of United Airlines. He previously served as President of US Airways and American Airlines, as well as President of United Airlines until May 2020 when he was promoted as CEO.
Scott Kirby | |
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Born | August 13, 1967 |
Nationality | American |
Alma mater | |
Occupation | Business executive |
Employer | United Airlines |
Title | CEO of United Airlines |
Predecessor | Oscar Munoz |
Early life and education
Kirby was raised as the oldest of six children in Rowlett, Texas. In high school, he played baseball and football, and had aspirations of becoming a professional athlete.[1] He received his Bachelor's degree in computer science and operations research from the United States Air Force Academy, where he trained to be an aircraft pilot, in 1989. He later earned his Master of Science degree in operations research at George Washington University.[1][2]
Career
Early in his career, Kirby worked at The Pentagon as a budget analyst for the United States Secretary of Defense for three years. He later worked for Sabre Decision Technologies (SDT), a subsidiary of AMR Corporation within the tourism and transport industries.[1]
Kirby joined America West Airlines in 1995,[3] initially serving as a senior director of scheduling and planning, and later as vice president of planning (1997), vice president of revenue management (1998), senior vice president of the company's computer program system (2000), and executive vice president.[1][4] Kirby began serving as president of US Airways in September 2006,[5][6] after the two airlines merged in 2005.[7] He led US Airways' team for planning the merger.[4] He also oversaw daily operations as well as marketing and sales strategies in his role as president.[1] Kirby became president of American Airlines after the company merged with US Airways in 2013.[2][8] He and American Airlines chief executive officer (CEO) Doug Parker worked closely together at America West, US Airways, and American.[7][9]
Kirby became president of United Airlines in August 2016.[10][11] He was announced as the successor to the CEO role in December 2019, following Oscar Munoz; his tenure started in May 2020. Kirby has been credited with expanding the airline's flight network,[12] and restructuring hubs in Chicago, Denver, and Houston.[13][14]
Personal life
Kirby is married and has six children.[15][1][16]
References
- Natale, Tony (April 29, 2007). "A 'take charge' guy soars high". East Valley Tribune. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- Josephs, Leslie (December 6, 2019). "United Airlines' next CEO is a 'details guy' who will have labor contracts and the 737 Max on his plate". CNBC. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- Sider, Alison; Cameron, Doug (December 5, 2019). "United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz to Step Down". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- Maxon, Terry (February 25, 2013). "Kirby and Goulet to lead American Airlines-US Airways planning for merger". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- Zumbach, Lauren (December 5, 2019). "New United CEO Scott Kirby is known as a 'details guy' who spent years prepping for the role, including at rival American Airlines". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- "US Airways names new president". Phoenix Business Journal. American City Business Journals. September 29, 2006. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- Bachman, Justin; Schlangenstein, Mary (December 5, 2019). "United's Kirby Gets Turn as an Airline CEO After Years as No. 2". Bloomberg News. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- Niraj, Chokshi (December 5, 2019). "United C.E.O. Munoz to Step Down, 5 Years After Leading Turnaround". The New York Times. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- Sider, Alison; Cameron, Doug (December 8, 2019). "Rival CEOs at American, United Share a Long History". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- Jansen, Bart (August 29, 2016). "United hires president dropped by American". USA Today. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- Carey, Susan (August 29, 2016). "American Airlines President Moves to United Continental". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- Vats, Rachit; Rucinski, Tracy (December 5, 2019). "United Airlines picks industry veteran Kirby for top job". Reuters. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- "United Airlines' Plan to Beat Delta and American Could Lower Airfares for Everybody". Fortune. January 29, 2018. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- Bachman, Justin (January 29, 2018). "United's Kirby goes rogue with plan that may spur lower airfares". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved March 18, 2020 – via Bloomberg News.
- https://ir.united.com/corporate-governance/company-leadership/
- Bart, Jansen (May 4, 2017). "United exec Kirby says he's no stranger to flight delays or sitting in economy". USA Today. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
External links
- J Scott Kirby at Bloomberg.com
- One-on-one with United president Scott Kirby (March 31, 2019) by Chris McGinnis, San Francisco Chronicle