Southwest Airlines Appoints Dr. Thomas W. Gilligan To Its Board Of Directors

DALLAS, Sept. 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- At a meeting today, the Board of Directors of Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) appointed Dr. Thomas W. Gilligan as a member of the Board.  Dr. Gilligan currently serves as the Tad and Dianne Taube Director of the Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace at Stanford University, a position he has held since Sept. 2015.  The Hoover Institution is a public policy research center devoted to the advanced study of economics, politics, history, and political economy as well as international affairs.  For a photo of Dr. Gilligan, visit http://swamedia.com/photos/dr-thomas-w-gilligan. 

"Tom is a special person with a brilliant mind and a passion for serving others who will be an invaluable addition to our Board of Directors," said Gary Kelly, Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer for Southwest Airlines.  "Tom brings with him a wealth of knowledge, experience, and leadership in finance, economics, and business administration that will benefit our Board and our Company.  We're thrilled to welcome him onboard."  

Prior to his appointment at the Hoover Institution, Dr. Gilligan served as the Dean of the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin from 2008 to Aug. 2015, where he also held the Centennial Chair in Business Education Leadership. 

Dr. Gilligan has held several key administrative roles at the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California (USC) between 1987 and 2008, including interim Dean, the Vice-Dean of Undergraduate Education, director of the Ph.D. program, and the Chair of the Finance and Business Economics Department.  During his tenure at USC, he held visiting appointments at Stanford University (1989-1990 and 1994) and Northwestern University (1995-1996).  From 1984 to 1987, Dr. Gilligan taught Economics at the California Institute of Technology.  Dr. Gilligan was a staff economist at the Council of Economic Advisers in the White House from 1982 to 1983; and he served in the United States Air Force from 1972 to 1976.  Dr. Gilligan also currently serves on the Board of Directors of KB Home.  He received his B.A. in 1979 at the University of Oklahoma and his Ph.D. in Economics at Washington University in 1984.  

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.

In its 45th year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other air carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by more than 47,000 Employees to more than 100 million Customers annually.  Southwest operates more than 3,600 flights a day, serving 95 destinations across the United States and six additional countries.  Southwest service to Belize City, Belize, begins Oct. 15, 2015.  Subject to foreign government approval, service to Liberia, Costa Rica, begins Nov. 1, 2015.

Based on the U.S. Department of Transportation's most recent data, Southwest Airlines is the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded. The Company operates the largest fleet of Boeing aircraft in the world, the majority of which are equipped with satellite-based WiFi providing gate-to-gate connectivity while over the United States.  That connectivity enables Customers to use their personal devices to access streaming music provided by Apple Music or to view video on-demand movies and television shows, as well as nearly 20 channels of free, live TV compliments of our valued Partners. Southwest is the only major U.S. airline to offer bags fly free®  to everyone (first and second checked pieces of luggage, size and weight limits apply, some airlines may allow free checked bags on select routes or for qualified circumstances), and there are no change fees, though fare differences might apply. In 2014, the airline proudly unveiled a bold new look:  Heart.  The new aircraft livery, airport experience, and logo, showcase the dedication of Southwest Employees to connect Customers with what's important in their lives.

From its first flights on June 18, 1971, Southwest Airlines launched an era of unprecedented affordability in air travel described by the U.S. Department of Transportation as "The Southwest Effect," a lowering of fares and increase in passenger traffic whenever the carrier enters new markets.  With 42 consecutive years of profitability, Southwest is one of the most honored airlines in the world, known for a triple bottom line approach that contributes to the carrier's performance and productivity, the importance of its People and the communities they serve, and an overall commitment to efficiency and the planet. The 2014 Southwest Airlines One Report™ can be found at SouthwestOneReport.com.

Book Southwest Airlines' low fares online at Southwest.com or by phone at 800-I-FLY-SWA.

SOURCE Southwest Airlines

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