Washington, D.C., September 8, 2015 –United Airlines today announced Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jeff Smisek resigned his position as CEO, president and chairman of the board of directors and named Oscar Munoz as new CEO.
“Jeff Smisek, Nene Foxhall, EVP of communications and government affairs and Mark Anderson, SVP of corporate and government affairs, have stepped down from their roles,” said new CEO Oscar Munoz in a letter to United employees. “The departures announced today are in connection with the company’s previously disclosed internal investigation related to the federal investigation associated with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.”
“The dedicated, hard-working employees at United deserve better than the questionable leadership Jeff Smisek provided,” said IAM Transportation General Vice President Sito Pantoja. “We look forward to working with new CEO Oscar Munoz, who we hope will respect the good people at United and provide them the tools to put their airline back on top.”
Under Smisek’s five-year tenure at United’s helm, the carrier has consistently lagged industry peers in operational and financial performance and has posted dismal customer satisfaction ratings.
Prior to joining United Continental Holdings board of directors in 2010, Munoz previously served as president and chief operating officer of CSX Corporation, a premier transportation company that employs 1,200 IAM members.
“Oscar Munoz worked well with the IAM during his 12 years at CSX,” continued Pantoja. “He supported progressive labor relations there and we look forward to working with him at United.”
United Continental Holdings board of directors also appointed Henry L. Meyer III as non-executive chairman of the board.
