Robert Fornaro

Last updated

Robert L. Fornaro
Born1953
Long Island, New York
Alma mater Rutgers College
OccupationFormer CEO of Spirit Airlines
SpouseKaren Fornaro
Bob Fornaro and Gary C. Kelly Bob Fornaro and Gary Kelly.jpg
Bob Fornaro and Gary C. Kelly

Robert L. Fornaro (also known as Bob Fornaro, born 1952 or 1953) [1] is an American airline executive. He most recently served as the CEO of Spirit Airlines. He also served as the chairman, president and chief executive officer of AirTran Holdings Inc. and its subsidiary, AirTran Airways, in Orlando, Florida, until AirTran was acquired by Southwest Airlines in May 2011, when he became a full-time consultant on the acquisition, sitting on the integration board. [2]

Contents

Career

After he left Harvard University, Fornaro worked for Trans World Airlines in scheduling and planning. [1] He was senior vice president for marketing and planning at Braniff, Inc, vice president for research at Jesup & Lamont Securities, Inc. and director of future schedule planning for Trans World Airlines. He was then senior vice president for marketing planning at Northwest Airlines from 1988 to 1992, where he managed international alliances and regional airline partner relationships. [1]

From 1992 to 1997, Fornaro was senior vice president for planning at US Airways where he directed the company's route planning, pricing and revenue management and overall corporate strategy. [1] Before joining AirTran Airways, he operated an aviation consulting practice.

Fornaro joined AirTran Airways in March 1999 as president and chief financial officer. He was named chief operating officer and elected to the board of directors in March 2001. [1] He became chief executive officer on 1 November 2007, [3] taking over from Joe Leonard. [1]

When AirTran was acquired by Southwest Airlines in 2011, Fornaro received a payment of $2.9 million. [4] Fornaro acted as a consultant for the integration of the airlines. [5]

In May 2014, Fornaro was elected to the board of directors of Spirit Airlines. [6]

On 5 January 2016, Fornaro was appointed CEO of Spirit Airlines, replacing Ben Baldanza. [7] In December 2017, it was announced that he would step down as CEO in January 2019 and be replaced by CFO Ted Christie. [8]

Education and personal life

Fonaro is originally from Long Island, New York. He attended Rutgers College in New Brunswick, New Jersey, on a lacrosse scholarship and earned a bachelor's degree in economics. He was a lacrosse midfielder. [9] He also received a master's degree in city and regional planning from Harvard. [1] He is a director of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and is on the board of the Georgia Aquarium.[ citation needed ] He and his wife, Karen, whom he married in the 1970s, reside in Orlando and have three adult children, two daughters and a son. [1]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Field, David (19 January 2009). "Interview: AirTran chief executive Bob Fornaro". Flightglobal. Archived from the original on 25 January 2009. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  2. ↑ Maxon, Terry (5 May 2011). "Southwest announces interim reorganization as it takes control of AirTran Airways". The Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on 26 July 2011. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
    - Jackman, Frank; Andrew Compart (2 May 2011). "Three Years For SWA/AirTran Integration". Aviation Week. Retrieved 22 May 2011.[ permanent dead link ]
  3. ↑ "AirTran elevates president to CEO". The St. Petersburg Times. 1 November 2007. Retrieved 22 May 2011.[ dead link ]
  4. ↑ Ahles, Andrea (28 April 2011). "AirTran CEO Bob Fornaro to get $2.9 million after Southwest merger". SkyTalk. Star-Telegram. Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 22 May 2011.
  5. ↑ "Southwest closes $1B purchase of AirTran". KHOU. Associated Press. 2 May 2011. Archived from the original on 31 March 2012. Retrieved 22 May 2011.
  6. ↑ "Spirit Airlines Board Elects Robert L. Fornaro as New Board Member". Spirit Airlines. 1 May 2014. Archived from the original on 7 January 2015. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  7. ↑ Mayerowitz, Scott (5 January 2016). "Brash, Fee-Happy CEO of Spirit Airlines Abruptly Replaced". ABC News. AP. Archived from the original on 6 January 2016. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  8. ↑ "Spirit Airlines picks insider to become next CEO in 2019". TribLIVE.com. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 3 January 2018. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  9. ↑ Garcia, Jason (10 February 2009). "Talking With... - Bob Fornaro. AirTran hopes economy gets off the ground soon". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on 1 July 2012. Retrieved 22 May 2011.
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