New CEO
 

So who knows why Joe Leonard left?

Huh???

AirTran Promotes Fornaro To CEO

NOVEMBER 01, 2007 -- AirTran Holdings appointed president and COO Robert Fornaro as CEO Joe Leonard's successor, effective today. Leonard remains chairman of AirTran's board of directors.

Fornaro joined the carrier in 1999, months after Leonard took on the chief executive role, and since has been groomed to take the post as "part of the board's succession planning," Leonard said in a statement today. The board during its fall meeting this week officially elected Fornaro to assume CEO duties.

"Bob Fornaro is highly respected throughout the airline industry and has been well known for many years in the media, financial and investor communities for his strategic planning, financial acumen and marketing expertise," Leonard said in a statement.

AirTran this week reported a net profit of $10.6 million for the third quarter, fueled by a record load factor of 80.1 percent and an average fare increase of 0.8 percent from the same period last year.

it has been in the works for a while. Bob Fornaro has essentially been running the company for a couple of years. Any one who works for Airtran has known about this. IMO he is much more of a approachable guy and more energtic than Joe ever was. Although Joe will have a sweet job now as chairman of the board. Meaning a lot golf time.;)

Joe
 

Joe got a shoe stuck in his hind end after Midwest ran him and his merger plan out of Milwaukee.

That's probably why he is no longer CEO.

Thank you for a singularly unique perspective from YX-land

You're welcome Henry. Milwaukee is proud of it's hometown airline. AirTran can't even hold a candle to YX.

Yeah, but pride is not what MKE needs. That economy needs a big boost
and an airport that can attract businesses to Milwaukee. My company left because of inferior transportation and a slow economy. People in Milwaukee need to think about more important things than cookies. That economy needs serious help. I welcomed the Airtran's offer because Airtran is a forward thinking and progressive airline. I thought that they could have done great things for the Milwaukee economy. I hope that they use their four gates at MKE to stimulate economic growth in MKE. The deal with TPG and northworst is anticompetitive and may end up hurting the MKE economy.

[QUOTE=Tim34;8962743]. My company left because of inferior transportation and a slow economy. QUOTE]

We in AS land thank your company for picking SEA :).

That's a pretty awsome thought that 4 gates can produce economc stimulus. If that is true every city will be putting in 4 new gates.

No, I saw Joe at the Wings dinner in New York. This has been planned for years. When you're at the helm for this long and this big of a turn-around, you want to leave on top, cash out stock (diversify portfolio), and keep the #2 guy. This was great for AirTran and a win-win.

The AirTran plan wouldn't have stimulated any growth. The only thing they were interested in was 25 717s. Their plan was so flawed, even the three AirTran stooges on the board supported the sale to TPG.

Lets try to use more friendly language. This is Airtran's forum and a lot of people do like Airtran and it is not nice to call their CEO and other leaders stooges. While you may think that Midwest is better than Airtran others may have the exact opposite opinion. Everything is relative. I do greatly enjoy your spirited comments:).

ON YOUR COMMENT

Who knows? I had a lot of faith in Airtran. I liked their plan. I think that the Milwaukee leaders prematurely doubted Airtran. Their are varying perspectives as to why this is occurred. Some argue that people like Tom Barrett and Scott walker are poster boys for the "Milwaukee inferiority complex". While I would argue that that description is a little harsh, I do believe that Milwaukee is not as receptive to new and or big ideas as it should be. Milwaukee is getting left behind. Minneapolis is light years ahead of Milwaukee. People in Milwaukee need to be more willing to take risks.

Lets try to use more friendly language. This is Airtran's forum and a lot of people do like Airtran and it is not nice to call their CEO and other leaders stooges. While you may think that Midwest is better than Airtran others may have the exact opposite opinion. Everything is relative. I do greatly enjoy your spirited comments:).

ON YOUR COMMENT

Who knows? I had a lot of faith in Airtran. I liked their plan. I think that the Milwaukee leaders prematurely doubted Airtran. Their are varying perspectives as to why this occurred. Some argue that people like Tom Barrett and Scott walker are poster boys for the "Milwaukee inferiority complex". While I would argue that that description is a little harsh, I do believe that Milwaukee is not as receptive to new and or big ideas as it should be. Milwaukee is getting left behind. Minneapolis is light years ahead of Milwaukee. People in Milwaukee need to be more willing to take risks.

My comment regarding stooges was directed at John Albertine, Jeffrey Erickson and Charles Kalmbach. Three individuals AirTran paid $40,000 each just to run for a seat on the Midwest Board. Probably, the easiest $40, 000 they ever made in their lives.

AS FOR MILWAUKEE

Having been here my entire life, I'll be the first to agree this city is still in the dark ages. However, an airport that may or may not have been filled with FL aircraft wasn't going to bring about any changes. How do we know Joe Leonard could have delivered on his promises? I guess we'll never know.

I also enjoy your spirited discussion.:)