Bob Jordan serves as President & Chief Executive Officer at Southwest Airlines. Bob is a 35-year Southwest veteran and began his career as a programmer in Technology. Bob has held 15 different positions at Southwest, including leadership roles in the areas of Finance, Planning, Procurement, Fuel, Facilities, Technology, Corporate Strategy, and as Chief Commercial Officer. Bob also served as the President of AirTran Airways during the successful integration. Most recently, Bob served as Southwest Airlines’ Executive Vice President Corporate Services, providing Executive Leadership for Southwest’s world-renowned People and Culture, training at Southwest Airlines University, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion efforts, and Communications & Outreach Teams. Bob also has dotted line oversight of the Enterprise Risk Management function. Key responsibilities include all internal and external communications, all hiring and training, giving all Employees the opportunity for personal and professional growth, the quality and depth of leadership throughout the Company, and ensuring an environment where everyone belongs. Southwest Airlines has been named one of Glassdoor’s Best Places to work for 13 consecutive years—an unmatched feat.

During his more than three decades at Southwest, the airline grew from a regional presence with around 7,000 People and 90 airplanes to a beloved national brand with more 54,000 People and a Customer base that topped 130 million Passengers in 2019. Bob has been responsible for the delivery of many key Company initiatives, including executive oversight for development of the Southwest.com e-commerce platform, the revamp of the Rapid Rewards® loyalty program in 2011, the $3.2B acquisition and integration of AirTran Airways, the comprehensive “Heart” brand refresh in 2014, significant domestic and international network expansion, and the 2017 switch to a new reservations system. During the global pandemic in 2020, Bob led Company efforts around voluntary retirement and leave programs that were critical to avoiding pay cuts, layoffs, and furloughs and maintaining Southwest’s record of never having a single layoff in the airline’s 50-year history. Bob is a passionate advocate of “The Southwest Way,” which refers to the Company’s core values and People-centric Culture.

Bob is a proud former student of Texas A&M University, having earned an undergraduate degree in computer science and a master’s degree in business administration. Bob has served the university in many capacities, including the Mays Business School Dean’s Advisory Board, and serves as Chair of the Board of the Association of Former Students (2023). He is the recipient of both the Texas A&M University Computer Science Distinguished Former Student and the Mays Business School Outstanding Alumni Awards.
Beyond Southwest, Bob serves on the board of directors for The Container Store, where he is Chairperson of the Board, and the Board of Trustees of the Southwestern Medical Foundation. Bob and his wife, Kelly, are members of the Texas A&M University Legacy Society and are active in charitable organizations, including Cross Timbers Community Church, Compassion International, SOS International, and the Metropolitan Opera. They have two grown children and two grandsons.