Southwest Airlines Co. announced changes to the Company's executive Leadership ranks with Thomas M. Nealon named as President and Michael G. Van de Ven named as the airline's Chief Operating Officer. These changes are effective immediately. In his role as President, Nealon, 55, will report to Gary C. Kelly, Chairman and Chief Executive, and have responsibility for the Commercial, Finance, Technology, Corporate Delivery, and Corporate Strategy departments. Commercial and Finance functions will transition to Nealon later this year. As Chief Operating Officer, Van de Ven, 55, also will report to Kelly and expand his operational responsibilities, by adding Customer Support & Services, Hospitality, and the Company's President's Council. Van de Ven's current responsibilities for Ground Operations, Air Operations (Inflight, Flight Operations, and Network Operations Control), Technical Operations, Safety & Security, Labor Relations, and Operational Strategy & Performance will continue. Greg Wells has been promoted to Executive Vice President Daily Operations, reporting to Van de Ven. Wells will be responsible for Ground, Air, and Technical operations; he also will oversee the airline's Hospitality efforts and the systemwide President's Council, which focuses on operational policies, services, and innovations. Wells will continue in his role as the Company's Emergency Director and oversee the airline's response efforts to various emergency events such as an aircraft incident/accident, natural disaster, or global terror event. Andrew Watterson has been promoted to Senior Vice President & Chief Revenue Officer, and will assume additional responsibilities for the Customer Relations & Rapid Rewards Department. He will continue to report to Bob Jordan, Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer, and also lead the Business Development, Revenue Management & Pricing, and Network Planning departments. Steve Goldberg has been promoted to Senior Vice President Ground Operations & Provisioning and will report to Wells. The airline's Provisioning operations will move from Cabin Services to Ground Operations and report to Goldberg. Vice President Labor Relations Michael Ryan has announced his retirement effective March 1, 2017, and Russell McCrady has been named Vice President to succeed him in that role and will report to Van de Ven.