Southwest details executive ‘promotions and rea…

DALLAS (AP) - Southwest Airlines announced several changes in its executive ranks, which it called "promotions and realignments."

Executive Vice President Jeff Lamb said Monday that the changes would "help support the transformation of our brand in this tough industry."

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The airline named Andrew Watterson as vice president of network planning and performance. He had been vice president of planning and revenue management at Hawaiian Airlines.

Sherry Staber, a vice president at department store chain J.C. Penney, was named vice president of business transformation in the airline's technology organization.

A Southwest spokeswoman said that Staber took over the duties of one or two vacant positions and that Watterson did not replace anyone.

Also, Southwest promoted Bill Tiffany to vice president from senior director in supply-chain management. It also moved Senior Vice President Brian Hirshman to operations from technical operations, replacing Greg Wells, who was named senior vice president of operational performance.

Shares of Dallas-based Southwest rose 8 cents to close Monday at $15.31.