Howard Putnam’s ultimate objective is “bottom line improvement.” He believes that cultures that place “people” as their #1 priority have the greatest long-term impact and success.
Putnam is the former CEO of the highly successful Southwest Airlines, an organization whose foundation and culture placed people first. Later, when recruited to be the CEO of failing Braniff International, he was the first CEO to successfully restructure a major airline into, through, and out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Putnam emerged in the airline industry over a twenty-year span working with United Airlines, his final position being Group VP of Marketing.
Putnam has been an entrepreneur and Chairman of InTech Aerospace Services LLC, in Houston, and has served as a director of several startup technology companies. He is an author, speaker and advisor on business issues, change, leadership and ethics. HarperCollins published his first book, The Winds of Turbulence. Harvard University wrote a case study on his Braniff experiences, “The Ethics of Bankruptcy.”
Mr. Putnam holds an MBA in Marketing from the University of Chicago and attended Harvard University’s Advanced Management Program.
Putnam grew up on an Iowa farm and learned to fly out of a pasture. His wife Krista is a native of Ohio and a former flight attendant. Their son Mike is an airline Captain based in Charlotte, and daughter Sue is in public relations and advertising in Reno. The Putnams live in the mountains near Reno and Lake Tahoe.
Howard Putnam, former CEO of Southwest Airlines, is available through IMG Speakers Bureau for speaking engagements. Howard Putnam is also available for corporate meetings and events, business seminars, panel discussions, and much more. Please contact IMG Speakers at 212-774-6735 or speakers@imgworld.com for more information on booking Howard Putnam.
