---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000092380-21-000153"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "LUV"
cik: "0000092380"
company_name: "SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO"
filed_at: "2021-09-15T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-29T03:43:35.515219+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.4
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.4
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Southwest Airlines President Nealon resigns; COO Van de Ven named President

## Summary
- Thomas M. Nealon resigned as President effective Sept 13, 2021.
- Board unanimously elected COO Michael G. Van de Ven as President, effective same date.
- Van de Ven retains his role as Chief Operating Officer.
- No compensation changes or new arrangements in connection with the appointment.
- Van de Ven has served as COO since May 2008 and joined Southwest in 1993.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000092380-21-000153
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: LUV
- cik: 0000092380
- company_name: SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO
- filed_at: 2021-09-15T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.4
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.4
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/92380/000009238021000153/0000092380-21-000153-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/92380/000009238021000153/luv-20210913.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000092380-21-000153
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000092380-21-000153.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000092380-21-000153.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Thomas M. Nealon resigned as President at SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
  - Action: resigned
  - Role: President
  source text: On September 13, 2021, Thomas M. Nealon, President of Southwest Airlines Co. (the “Company”), submitted his resignation from the Company, effective September 13, 2021.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/92380/000009238021000153/0000092380-21-000153-index.htm
- Executive change
  Michael G. Van de Ven was elected as President at SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
  - Action: elected
  - Role: President
  source text: In connection with Mr. Nealon’s resignation, the Board of Directors of the Company unanimously elected Michael G. Van de Ven to succeed to the position of President, effective September 13, 2021.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/92380/000009238021000153/0000092380-21-000153-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.