Southwest Airlines shuffles an exec as AirTran relationship matures

Laura Wright, who replaced Gary Kelly as chief financial officer in 2004 when Kelly took over as chief executive officer at Southwest Airlines, plans to retire as of Sept. 20, the company said Thursday.

Wright. a 22-year Southwest employee, will be succeeded as CFO and senior vice president of finance by Tammy Romo, currently Southwest’s senior vice president of planning.

“We have an able successor already in place with Tammy, and an amazing finance leadership team that won’t miss a beat,” Wright said in the announcement. “I have a long list of things I’m anxious to tend to, including more time with family. With Gary’s leadership and the strategies in place, I leave with confidence regarding the bright future of this great company.”