Delta Set to Announce New CEO Today
ATLANTA, August 21, 2007 — Delta Air Lines is expected to officially announce Richard Anderson as its new Chief Executive Officer later today, according to a source close to the company. Anderson, a current member of Delta’s board, will succeed outgoing CEO, while Ed Bastian, currently the airline’s Chief Financial Officer, will be named President. Chief Operating Officer Jim Whitehurst is set to resign effective immediately. Daniel Carp will remain as non-executive Chairman of the Board.
Questions Surround Anderson’s Appointment
Anderson’s rapid transition from board member to CEO is already raising concerns about the fairness and transparency of the selection process. As originally reported by The Wall Street Journal, Anderson did not participate in interviews with internal candidates for the role. This absence could suggest that his placement on the board may have been a strategic move toward securing the CEO position from the outset, rather than focusing on Delta’s long-term strategy.
The search firm Spencer Stuart, which brought Anderson onto the board, also recruited Carp—who reportedly played a leading role in the CEO selection. These connections raise questions about the objectivity of the process.
A Major Leadership Loss for Delta
Whitehurst’s departure marks a significant loss for Delta. Widely recognized as a key figure in Delta’s post-bankruptcy turnaround, the former Boston Consulting Group partner helped drive improvements in customer service and played a major role in the airline’s international expansion strategy.
He is also credited for launching the Velvet Rope Tour, an internal initiative aimed at rebuilding trust and morale among non-union flight attendants—an effort seen as instrumental in restoring internal confidence during challenging times.