Southwest Airlines names Doug Brooks as new board chair

Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) announced Doug Brooks will become independent chair of the board effective Aug. 1, 2025, replacing Rakesh Gangwal who is stepping down from the role.

Gangwal will remain on the board and will chair a newly formed Ad Hoc Fleet Oversight Committee. The committee will assist the board in overseeing the company's aircraft fleet acquisition strategy. Gangwal cited additional time commitments unrelated to Southwest as the reason for stepping down from the chair position.

Brooks has served as a director at Southwest since 2010. He previously served as chairman, president and CEO of Brinker International, a restaurant company that operates multiple brands. During his tenure at Brinker, Brooks led portfolio optimization efforts including the sale of several restaurant brands to focus on core assets.

Brooks also served as a director at AutoZone Inc. and currently serves on the Professional Advisory Board of St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.

"Doug is a decisive leader and has a proven track record of creating shareholder value," said Bob Jordan, Southwest's president and CEO, according to the company's announcement.

Gangwal will continue serving on the Finance Committee and the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee in addition to chairing the new fleet oversight committee.

The leadership change comes as Southwest continues implementing what the company describes as a business model transformation that began over the past year.

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