The Austin Economic Club (AEC) continues its 2009 Distinguished Lecture Series" with Mr. Gary Kelly Chairman President & Chief Executive Officer of Southwest Airlines. Mr. Kelly will address the Austin Economic Club at 8:30 a.m. on Friday September 18 2009 during the clubs breakfast at the Downtown Omni Hotel. The Omni Hotel Downtown Austin is located at 700 San Jacinto Austin TX.
We are truly honored to host Mr. Kelly" said Jim Cardle Austin Economic Club chairman.
Mr. Kelly will brief club members & invited members of the press on the impact the Airline industry has on Texas as well as the future direction for Southwests Dallas-based operations.
As a leader of one of Texas most important industries & companies Mr. Kelly will be able to provide an economic perspective many of us are not privy too" said Glenn West AEC president and former Austin Chamber president of 18 years.
This topic is not only a Texas interest but an interest and issue of national importance" said State Representative Tan Parker Vice Chairman of the House Technology Economic Development & Workforce Committee from Dallas.
Kelly serves as the Chairman of the Board President & Chief Executive Officer of Southwest Airlines. A 23-year Southwest veteran who became CFO in 1989 Kelly has worked closely with Southwests legendary Cofounder & Chairman Emeritus Herb Kelleher as well as President Emeritus Colleen Barrett to build the nations 5th-largest airline and undisputed Low-Fare Leader".
Southwest Airlines is celebrating 36 years of consecutive profitability recently being named #1 in Customer Satisfaction by the Department of Transportation for the year 2008. For the 13th year in a row Fortune magazine listed Southwest Airlines among Americas most admired corporations.
Kelly has received awards and recognitions including being named one of Business Travel News 25 Most Influential Executives of 2004. He was a finalist for Texan of the Year" by the Dallas Morning News editors in 2005 and was honored with the 4th Friends of Texas Public Schools Friend of the Year Award" in 2008.
He has also been named by Institutional Investor magazine as one of the best CEOs in America for 2008 and 2009.
Kelly received a B.B.A. in Accounting from the University of Texas at Austin and is a Certified Public Accountant. He is a member of the Texas Society of CPAs and serves on the McCombs School Accounting Advisory Board at the University of Texas at Austin. He also serves on the board of the Dallas Citizens Council.
The Austin Economic Club was founded in 2005 and serves as a non-profit 501.C.3 resource to aid Texas business and political leaders seeking information and answers to todays business or economic policy concerns.
For further information contact Robert Flores at either 512-225-5880 or 210-382-3297.
For reservations to the Friday September 18th Breakfast visit the Austin Economic Clubs website at
www.AustinEconomicClub.com
