Southwest Airlines has revealed additional changes to its leadership team, announcing that Executive Vice President and Chief Legal and Regulatory Officer and Corporate Secretary Mark Shaw has decided to move to an Executive Advisor role, effective June 1.
Senior Vice President and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Jason Van Eaton will replace Shaw as Executive Vice President, Chief Regulatory and Corporate Affairs Officer beginning next month. At the same time, Vice President Legal—Corporate and Transactions Jeff Novota will take over as Vice President General Counsel and Corporate Secretary.
Van Eaton's responsibilities will include legislative and regulatory policy oversight, airline airport relationships management, facility construction and maintenance, corporate security, and real estate planning. He will also be tasked with overseeing Southwest's Airport Affairs, Facilities, Governmental Affairs, Legal and Real Estate Departments.
Shaw joined Southwest over two decades ago and has guided the airline through an array of legal challenges, including its acquisition of AirTran Airways and parent AirTran Holdings, issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the low-cost carrier's participation in the Payroll Support Program under the CARES Act.
"We appreciate Mark's many years of dedicated service at Southwest, and we're delighted he'll continue to serve as an Executive Advisor. Mark's trusted counsel and Leadership helped us navigate many triumphs and challenges throughout his career," Southwest Airlines President and CEO Bob Jordan said in a statement. "As Jason and Jeff step into their new roles, the proven expertise and extensive experience they each possess, along with Mark's continued guidance, will result in a seamless and successful transition."
Van Eaton joined Southwest nine years ago and was named Senior Vice President & Chief Corporate Affairs Officer in 2018. Novota joined the airline in 2011.
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