Southwest Airlines Nominates New Member to Its Board of Directors; Two Long- Term Members Will Retire
David Biegler, 59, has been nominated for election to the Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) Board of Directors. Subject to Shareholder approval, his term will begin at Southwest's annual meeting of Shareholders on May 17, 2006, as two long-time members of Southwest's Board, June Morris and Rollin King, retire from the Board.
A 40-year veteran in the energy industry, Biegler retired as Vice Chairman of TXU Corp. and is now Chairman and CEO of Estrella Energy LP, a Dallas-based partnership engaged in the natural gas pipeline industry. (For a photo of Mr. Biegler, please visit http://www.southwest.com/about_swa/press/060418_david_biegler.html )
"David Biegler is an excellent leader with an extensive record of accomplishment within an industry that has long been a vital part of our business," said Herb Kelleher, Southwest's Executive Chairman of the Board. "We highly value the wisdom, experience, and insight that he will contribute to the deliberations of our Board. At the same time, we thank June Morris and Rollin King for their magnificent contributions to the Board and to the success of Southwest Airlines. They will be sorely missed both personally and professionally."
Biegler joined TXU Corp. as its President and Chief Operating Officer in 1997 as part of that company's merger with Dallas-based ENSERCH Corporation, a major integrated natural gas company with one of the largest natural gas pipeline systems in the nation at that time. He became TXU's Vice Chairman in May 2000. Biegler previously served as Chairman, President, and CEO of ENSERCH, the parent of Lone Star Gas Company.
David Biegler is well known for his devotion to Dallas-area causes. He is the founding chairman of the Old Red Foundation, chair of Children's Health Service of Texas, Director on the Dallas Center for the Performing Arts Board, and Trustee to the Southwestern Medical Foundation. Mr. Biegler was the 2002 Linz Award laureate for his civic contributions and is an Erik Jonsson Award recipient for his work on behalf of the United Way and previously served as chairman of both the Dallas Citizen's Council and the Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce.
Biegler is a graduate of St. Mary's University in San Antonio and completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University.
Southwest Airlines is now in its 35th year of operation with 33 consecutive years of profitability. It currently serves 62 cities. Based in Dallas, Southwest operates more than 3,000 flights a day with a fleet of more than 450 Boeing 737s. For the ninth year in a row, FORTUNE magazine recognized Southwest Airlines in its annual survey of corporate reputations. Among airlines, Southwest came out on top as the most admired airline in the world for 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005. Among all industries in 2005, FORTUNE listed Southwest Airlines as number five among America's Top Ten most admired corporations.
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