United announced today that they will be conducting a 'realignment' of their management structure and 'shifting of responsibilities' among the usual suspects:
Among the changes are the following:
- President Rono Dutta's responsibilities will center on sales and revenue generation. In addition, Dutta will lead a new Strategic Initiatives Group tasked with making certain United's revenue and cost structure in the future ensures long-term profitable growth.
- Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Andy Studdert will be in charge of all of United's operations - air and ground - to ensure safety, operational reliability and customer satisfaction.
- Senior Vice President-North America Chris Bowers will become senior vice president of marketing, sales and reservations.
- Bill Hobgood will step down as senior vice president-People but will continue to serve as senior labor advisor to the chairman. He will be succeeded by Sara Fields, currently senior vice president-onboard service.
- Larry De Shon, currently senior vice president-marketing, will shift to senior vice president-onboard service.
- Senior Vice President Pete McDonald will head the airport operations division responsible for the airline's operations in three North American regions.
Word to the wise: Moving the same people around the plate may not be the end-all solution to this company's 'challenges'. I sincerely hope Jack has more up his sleeve than this.