SOUTHWEST AIRLINES EMPLOYEES SHOW THEIR LUV FOR
PRESIDENT COLLEEN BARRETT WITH A SONG, GIFT, VIDEO TRIBUTE, AND
THE SOUND OF COWBELLS
The Most Influential Woman in Aviation Steps Back from Management Role —Company Throws a Good Old Fashioned Surprise Party!
DALLAS -- July 15, 2008 - The clamoring of cowbells and a rendition of a Willie Nelson song is not what you would expect to hear in the lobby of a Fortune 500 company; but then again, Southwest Airlines is famous for doing the unexpected! Southwest Executive Colleen Barrett, who leaves her role as President effective today, was honored by Employees in Dallas with a surprise tribute to show appreciation for her years of Servant Leadership. (Colleen will remain a fulltime Southwest Employee through July 2013.) The monumental event was centered on hundreds of Southwest Employees cheering for a woman the Company LUV built affectionately calls its "Queen of Hearts."
"Well, we all know that Colleen doesn't like surprises! But, we also know that Colleen can't be totally surprised that her Southwest Family wanted to make this day a little extra special for her," said Southwest CEO Gary Kelly. "The transition from an extremely hardworking President to an extremely hardworking Southwest Employee is a huge milestone. From the 34,000 Southwest Family Members -- job well done, Colleen Barrett -- we'll see you tomorrow!"
As Colleen's Southwest Family gathered at Corporate Headquarters to mark her last official day as President, the Employees celebrated the milestone exactly the way Colleen's mother would have wanted -- with the ringing of cowbells. The ringing of cowbells is a tradition that dates back to Colleen's childhood in Bellows Falls, Vermont. Her mother used to ring "that darn cowbell," as Colleen would say, every time she or her brothers would accomplish a significant goal or celebrate a colossal moment in their lives. In fact, the distinctive sound of "that darn cowbell" marked many historic milestones for Colleen, and today was no exception.
About Colleen Barrett:
Prior to joining Southwest (in 1978), Colleen Barrett worked for several years as an Executive Assistant to Herb Kelleher (Southwest's Founder and former Executive Chairman) at his law firm. For Southwest Airlines, she has served as Secretary of the Corporation since March 1978; and served as Vice President Administration from 1986 to 1990; Executive Vice President Customers from 1990 to 2001; and President from 2001 to present.
Colleen has been named one of the "World's 100 Most Powerful Women," by Forbes.com (2005, 2004); one of the "50 Most Powerful Women in Business," by Fortune (2003, 2002); and one of the "100 Most Influential Women in Aviation," by Women in Aviation International (WAI) (2003); in addition, Colleen has been presented the Horatio Alger Award (2005); Texas Trailblazer Award (2005); Tony Jannus Award (2007); IWF Woman Who Makes A Difference Award (2004); and she was inducted into the International Pioneer Hall of Fame as a Woman in Aviation, (2005).
www.southwest.com
Media Please Contact:
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She is discribing my husband exactly. When we married I would NEVER have thought we would be living in Las Vegas and I would never have thought he would have a great job like SWA. He is on his third position, first provo, then ops now he is a flight attendant and he lives and breathes SWA, he has since day one. They made the right choice when they hired "Mr. Southwest". Colleen and Herb have been great inspiration to every employee and they are greatly loved.
baker1963 4 months ago
Truly the Queen of Hearts
davetguerra 6 months ago
I fly Southwest every year to Las Vegas and I have NEVER met an employee from Southwest that was in a bad mood. This truly is a great company and everyone seems to have alot of fun at their job. Keep up the great work.
ashure36 1 year ago
I never have lost one bag with southwest airline like those other airline i fly with.
GO! southwest
mlafon25 1 year ago
A pretty amazing expression of what SWA is and what makes it such an exceptional company. There are few companies like that in the workd, I am convinced. This is truly authentic...
npflaeging 3 years ago
this is my career and just now i saw a commercial for southwest on the tv so i mean this is it guys this is the airline thats going to be known around the world..... Can some one tell me gary kellys e-mail (ceo southwest airlines? thx
4701012 3 years ago
Same thing with so many airlines. When is SWA gonna fly into ACY? It's a huge airport, has a great ILS, the FBO is very good and have nothing to do most of the day. Spirit Airlines is running the show there....And what a shabby operation they are. SWA could CLEAN UP there. ACY is building a brand new $92million terminal and just completed a 6 story parking garrage that NOBODY uses! Jet Blue diverts there all the time when it just sprinkles in JFK or LGA.
NKS969 3 years ago
I Work for United Airlines.....I wish our company was like a "FAMLY"...instead of a family devorsed...But again, it is refreshing to see such great repore in an airline company!!
robagl 3 years ago
LUV her!
pbxxx 3 years ago
First comment. go SouthWest!!!
DeafRedneck 3 years ago