Doug Parker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Doug Parker
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William Douglas Parker
October 31, 1961 |
| Education | Albion College (BA) Vanderbilt University (MBA) |
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| Predecessor | Thomas W. Horton |
| Successor | Robert Isom |
| Spouse(s) | Gwen Parker |
| Children | 3 |
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William Douglas Parker (born October 31, 1961) is an American business leader. He is known for his long career in the airline industry. He served as the chief executive officer (CEO) of American Airlines from 2001 to 2023. He also became the chairman of American Airlines Group, the company that owns American Airlines.
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Early Life and School
Doug Parker grew up in Michigan. He earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Economics from Albion College in 1984. After that, he went to Vanderbilt University. He received his Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in 1986. American Airlines offered him a job after an interview at his university.
Starting His Career in Airlines
Parker began his career at American Airlines in 1986. He worked as a financial analyst until 1991. He was part of a special group of young leaders. This group worked closely with the CEO at the time, Robert Crandall. Other future airline CEOs were also in this group.
In 1991, Parker joined Northwest Airlines. His job was to help create a system. This system would track how the airline made and lost money. It was a new idea to track profits for each flight in such detail.
Parker became the chief financial officer (CFO) of America West Airlines in 1995. The CEO, Bill Franke, wanted to train him to be a CEO. So, Parker worked in different areas. He learned about finance, sales, and how the airline operated. In September 2001, Parker became the Chairman and CEO of America West. This was just 10 days before the events of September 11, 2001. Under Parker's leadership, America West was the first airline to get special government loans. These loans helped save the airline from going bankrupt again.
Leading US Airways
America West and US Airways joined together in 2005. Doug Parker continued as the CEO of the new, combined company. US Airways tried to merge with Delta Air Lines in 2006. Delta was going through a difficult time then. However, Delta's workers and lenders did not support the merger. So, the plan did not work out. US Airways also tried to merge with United Airlines in 2008 and 2010. But United eventually merged with another airline, Continental Airlines.
Leading American Airlines
In 2012, US Airways started working to merge with American Airlines. At that time, American Airlines' parent company was facing financial challenges. US Airways took a big step. They got agreements from American Airlines' employee groups. This was even before American Airlines had finished its own financial restructuring.
The merger was completed on December 9, 2013. Doug Parker was named the CEO of the new, combined company. This new airline became the largest in the world. On December 7, 2021, American Airlines Group announced that Parker would retire as CEO. He stepped down on March 31, 2022. He continued to serve as the chairman of American's board. He left that role in April 2023. Robert Isom, who was the president of American, became the new CEO.
Joining Qantas
In May 2023, Doug Parker joined the board of directors for Qantas. Qantas is a major airline based in Australia.
Personal Life
Doug Parker lives in Dallas, Texas. He is married to Gwen Parker. They have three children. He and his family are active members of their church, Highland Park United Methodist Church.
Awards and Recognition
- In 2015, he received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award for the Southwest region.
- He gave the commencement address at Vanderbilt's Owen Graduate School of Management on May 10, 2013.
- In 2017, he received the Tony Jannus Award. This award recognizes important achievements in commercial air travel.
