Gary Kelly - Definition of a Leader

Gary Kelly: Definition of a Leader

Denise M. Laakmann

Keiser University

Miami, Florida

October 9, 2013

Southwest Airlines is a well-known, low cost American airline company that offers excellent customer and employee service. They have survived 37 years in the business and posting profits even within an ever-changing economy. Southwest has been able to stay on top and become a successful business with the help of a superb leader. (Southwest.com, 2013) It takes a good leader to understand the current economy, market and internal business in order to be profitable. For Southwest Airlines that person is CEO Gary Kelly. He has been with the company for over 20 years and in that time he has developed the understanding for what the company needs in order to be successful. Gary began his work with the airlines as a Controller and later moved up the corporate ladder to become the company's Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance. He was then promoted to Executive Vice President and CFO before being promoted to CEO and Vice Chairman in July 2004. Gary then continued to move to the top spot of President of the company in 2008. (Bailey, 2008)

Mr. Kelly received his B.B.A. in Accounting from the University of Texas at Austin (both his personal and corporate alma mater) and is also a Certified Public Accountant. He is a member of the Texas Society of CPAs; chairs the Red McCombs School Advisory Council at the University of Texas at Austin; and was most recently named to the Lincoln National Corporation's Board. (Southwest.com, 2013) Mr. Kelly also serves on the board of the Dallas Citizens Council. Institutional Investor Magazine has also honored him as one of the Best Chief Executive Officers in America and one of the Best CFO's in America. Additionally, in 2004 he was named one of Business Travel News's 25 Most Influential Executives. (Bloomsburg BusinessWeek, 2013)

Gary is married to his wife of 34 years, Carol Kelly. Oddly enough, they were born in the same hospital one day apart from each other, but they did not meet until the eighth grade. They have been together ever since. Gary and Carol have two daughters. He is a proud Texan that displays his admiration for his home state in his office right along with his love for aviation and the University of Texas. (Hall, 2012)

Gary Kelly's perseverance and dedication has earned him respect among his subordinates and the airline community. His humble personality clearly shows that he enjoys engaging with his company's employees and customers. Being modest and charismatic is key in becoming an effective leader. A leader is not only responsible for making corporate and financial decisions but they are also responsible for keeping