Originally Posted by
dmurphynj
To be completely fair to the man, he was absolutely part of Bethune's inner circle at the CO turnaround; a major part of the negotiating team that got them out of trouble and (incredibly, almost impossibly) avoiding COs 3rd - and presumably fatal - bankruptcy.
At the helm, no, I don't think any of us as customers were better off in his CEO era ... but just being completely objective, he may have been out over his skis as CEO, but was also a key player in the turnaround, too. Think he just ended up in a role that wasn't his best fit. Some folks are better in supporting roles and letting others be the 'face'.
Like many leadership teams and management philosophies, they tend to have a shelf life. By the 2010s, the 90s-era CO turnaround team had run its course: to Jeff's credit, at least he recognized the rising tide of consolidation and made the case that it was essential to CO's survival that it not be left out. I also respect Kellner for the self-awareness it took to realize he was on the wrong side of history, in this regard, and stepped down before it was too late. Jeff's legacy will be getting the deal done with United, which should not be understated, but his post-merger execution will always cast a major shadow. And then... that's to say nothing of the scandal that eventually brought him down.