American Airlines has announced that Derek Kerr, Vice Chair, President of American Eagle and Strategic Advisor, will retire September 30, 2023. Mr. Kerr stepped down as American’s Chief Financial Officer at the end of 2022 and was succeeded by Devon May.
On Friday (May 5, 2023), American Airlines announced the retirement of the carrier’s Vice Chair, President of American Eagle, and Strategic Advisor, Derek Kerr will retire effective September 30, 2023. Mr. Kerr stepped down as American’s Chief Financial Officer at the end of 2022, as part of a long-planned succession process, and was succeeded by Devon May. In March, Heather Garboden was named Senior Vice President of Regionals and Cargo, and will continue in that role. In his most recent role with American, Derek Kerr led American’s Regional and Cargo teams, and served as a strategic advisor to the company. As President of American Eagle he was responsible for nearly half of American’s daily departures.
In Friday’s announcement, American Airlines’ CEO, Robert Isom, said,
“Derek Kerr is one of the finest and most accomplished executives in the history of the airline business. I’m proud to call him a friend, and American is very well-positioned for the future because of his leadership. We wish him well as he begins his retirement.”
Also commenting on his upcoming retirement, Derek Kerr, said,
“I’m incredibly proud of everything we accomplished during my time at American, US Airways and America West. It has been a tremendous honor to work alongside so many wonderful people the past three decades, and I consider myself incredibly lucky for the countless memories and friends I have made along the way. I’m confident Robert, Devon and the rest of the American Airlines team will continue to chart a profitable path for American and build an airline that will thrive forever.”
Derek Kerr originally joined America West Airlines in 1996 and served in a variety of finance and planning roles. From 2002 through 2022, he served as CFO for America West Airlines, US Airways and American Airlines from 2002. Mr. Kerr played an instrumental role in the merger of America West with US Airways in 2005, and the merger between US Airways and American in 2013. Along with his team, Kerr was also instrumental in raising $25 billion during the pandemic to keep American Airlines on solid financial footing.
American Airlines’ purpose is to “Care for People on Life’s Journey.” Shares in the American Airlines Group, Inc., trade on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol AAL and the company’s stock is included in the S&P 500.
Source: American Airlines