Former Southwest Airlines CEO Howard Putnam To Speak At Athena San Diego

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- On Wednesday, February 13, 2013, join former Southwest Airlines CEO, Howard Putnam, as he teams up with Susan Taylor, former news anchor on KNBC 7/39 and current executive director of External Affairs for Scripps Health. The two will explore personal experiences navigating successful career changes as well as how lessons learned, failures and regrets played a pivotal role in where they are today as business leaders.

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Howard Putnam is considered a trailblazer of change leadership and transformation. Shortly after being recruited as CEO of Southwest Airlines in 1978, he led the visioning process and developed the "fun" culture and excellent customer service for which the airline is still known today. Because of his leadership, Southwest has been profitable every year for the past 37 years, a record unsurpassed by any airline. In 1981, Putnam was recruited by the board of Braniff International to become the first airline CEO to successfully take a major carrier into, through and out of Chapter 11. He has been an entrepreneur and has served as director of several startup technology companies.

Susan Taylor recently left her NBC news anchor job for an exciting opportunity to become Executive Director of External Affairs for Scripps Health. She did not make this decision alone, but rather embraced the invaluable mentoring she received from Putnam.

Athena San Diego hosts these two leaders on February 13, 2013, from 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm at Qualcomm. For more information, visit athenasd.org or call 858.481.0710.

About Athena San Diego
Athena San Diego is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the success of rising management and senior women executives in high-tech, life sciences, healthcare and defense, and the companies that support them. The Athena San Diego network provides leadership, support, networking and education to promote personal and professional growth.  For more information, please visit www.athenasd.org.

CONTACT:
Amy Bergen, Executive Director
858.461.0760; [email protected]

SOURCE Athena San Diego