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Doug Parker

For other people named Doug Parker, see Doug Parker (disambiguation).
For other people named William Parker, see William Parker (disambiguation).

Doug Parker
Born
William Douglas Parker

(1961-10-31) October 31, 1961 (age 63)
EducationAlbion College (BA)
Vanderbilt University (MBA)
Board member of
SpouseGwen Parker
Children3
Signature

William Douglas Parker (b. October 31, 1961)[1] is an American businessman. He spent more than 20 years as an airline executive, including as the CEO and chairman of American Airlines Group, as well as executive positions with America West Airlines and US Airways. He is a current board member of Qantas, and also the founder of the nonprofit organization Breaking Down Barriers.

Early life and education

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Parker grew up in Michigan and received a BA in Economics from Albion College (1984). He then received an MBA from the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University (1986), where American Airlines offered him a job after a campus interview.[2]

Career

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1986-1994; Early career

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Parker was a financial analyst at American Airlines from 1986 to 1991, and a member of then CEO Robert Crandall's "Brat Pack",[3] alongside Thomas W. Horton (former CEO President and Chairman of American), C. David Cush (former CEO of Virgin America), and Ben Baldanza (former CEO of Spirit Airlines).[4]

His work at American led him to being recruited by Northwest Airlines in 1991.[5] He joined the airline to help create a team that systematically figured out where the airline was making and losing money, tracking profits flight-by-flight in such detail at that level was a first for Northwest.[6]

1995-2012; American West and US Airways

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Parker became chief financial officer and senior vice president of America West Airlines in 1995.[7] While CFO, he worked as then-CEO Bill Franke's protege, training to be the next CEO.[6] Parker was named Chairman and CEO of the airline on September 1, 2001, 10 days before the September 11 attacks.[8] Under Parker, America West was the first of several airlines to win post-9/11 federal loan guarantees, saving the airline from a second bankruptcy.[2]

In 2005, Parker negotiated the merger between America West and US Airways,[7] where he continued as the CEO of the combined company. US Airways made a bid to merge with Delta Air Lines as it was in bankruptcy protection in 2006, but creditors rejected the bid in early 2007.[9] US Airways also attempted a merger with United Airlines in 2008 and in 2010, but United ultimately merged with Continental Airlines.[6] In addition to the US Airways merger, Parker led the successful merger with American Airlines and was known as the architect of the airline merger trend.[10]

2013-2022; American Airlines

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In 2012, US Airways launched an effort to merge with American Airlines, while American's parent company, AMR Corporation, was in bankruptcy protection. US Airways took the step of securing tentative contracts with American's labor groups, while AMR was still pushing to exit bankruptcy.[8] That deal closed on 9 December 2013, and Parker was named CEO of the combined company, becoming the world's largest airline.[11] In December 2021, American Airlines Group announced Parker would be retiring as the chief executive officer the following year, continuing as chairman of American’s board.[12]

2023 to present; post-American Airlines

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Parker stepped down as chairman of American's board in April 2023.[12] The following month he joined the board of directors at Qantas.[13]

In 2023, Parker and his wife Gwen launched Breaking Down Barriers, a non-profit organization that helps people in underserved communities become pilots.[14][15]

Personal life

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Parker lives in Dallas, Texas. He is married to Gwen Parker and has three children. In 2007, Parker pleaded guilty to his third driving under the influence charge and was sentenced to one day in jail.[16] Shareholders questioned US Airways failure to disclose Parker's two previous DUI arrests.[17] Parker endorsed Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton in the run-up for the 2016 United States presidential election.[18] Additionally, in 2019, Parker donated $2,500 to Democrat Steny Hoyer.[19]

Parker has given commencement addresses as his alma mater's Albion College in 2010[20] and at Vanderbilt University's Owen Graduate School of Management in 2013.[21] He also gave the commencement address to the 2019 class at Southern Methodist University.[22]

References

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  1. ^ "Doug Parker". www.nndb.com. Retrieved 11 April 2019.
  2. ^ a b "America West CEO inspires workers by being one of them". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
  3. ^ "Travel News, Tips, and Guides". USA Today. Archived from the original on 25 January 2012. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
  4. ^ "American Brat Pack: Where Airline CEOs Came Of Age". CBS News. 29 December 2011.
  5. ^ "The Complicated Legacy left by Retiring American Airlines CEO Doug Parker". Andy's Travel Blog. 7 December 2021.
  6. ^ a b c "Persistent Doug Parker nears top job at American - StarTribune.com". Minnesota Star Tribune. 15 February 2013. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
  7. ^ a b Weissmann, Arnie (19 June 2013). "Doug Parker: The man who will be king". Travel Weekly.
  8. ^ a b Mary Schlangenstein (11 February 2013). "US Airways CEO Takes AMR Prize to Cap Mergers He Spurred". Bloomberg News. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
  9. ^ "US Air drops hostile bid for Delta after creditors say no - Jan. 31, 2007". CNN News. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
  10. ^ Isidore, Chris. "Doug Parker, architect of merger trend that resulted in four major US airlines, is retiring". CNN.
  11. ^ Maxon, Terry. "A year into its merger with US Airways, American Airlines is flying high A year into its merger with US Airways, American Airlines is flying high". Dallas News. Archived from the original on 13 November 2015.
  12. ^ a b "American Airlines Announces Leadership Succession Plan". news.aa.com. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  13. ^ Ex American Airlines CEO Doug Parker joins Qantas board Australian Aviation May 23, 2023
  14. ^ Blakey, Katy (11 December 2023). "Former American Airlines CEO launches nonprofit to address pilot shortage, lack of diversity". NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth.
  15. ^ "Ex-American CEO Doug Parker's new mission: Breaking Down Barriers for pilots". Dallas News. 28 December 2023.
  16. ^ "US Airways CEO serves 24-hour jail sentence for drunk driving". USA Today. Archived from the original on 27 March 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
  17. ^ Herb Greenberg (12 February 2007). "US Airways Should've Disclosed CEO's DUI". Seeking Alpha. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
  18. ^ Ballhaus, R. No Fortune 100 CEOs back Republican Donald Trump Wall Street Journal September 23, 2016.
  19. ^ "Browse Individual contributions". Federal Election Commission. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  20. ^ "Distinguished Alumni Award". Albion College.
  21. ^ "BSchool Commencement 2013: US Airways' Doug Parker". Blomberg. 13 May 2013.
  22. ^ "Doug Parker Featured Speaker at SMU's May Commencement". SMU.
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Business positions
Preceded by CEO of American Airlines Group
2013–2022 		Succeeded by