Jim Sokol, the Company's longtime Vice President of Maintenance Operations, has announced his decision to retire, effective Sept. 15, 2014. "Jim's contributions to our Operation, our Fleet, and our People guided the Maintenance Operation through the most challenging years our industry has experienced," says Mike Van de Ven, Southwest's Chief Operating Officer. "Under his Leadership, Southwest has remained a resilient and efficient operation benchmarked by companies around the globe." Landon Nitschke will step into the Vice President of Maintenance Operations role opening as a result of Sokol's retirement. Landon currently serves as Senior Director of Maintenance. Prior to Southwest, Landon's airline career included the position of Managing Director of Line Maintenance at Northwest/Delta Airlines. He started his maintenance career in 1992 as an Aviation Maintenance Technician for Northwest/Delta. Landon's responsibilities include ensuring safe and reliable aircraft to Southwest Customers and Crew Members. This includes maintaining a fleet of nearly 700 aircraft.
