Colleen Barrett, a pioneer and dedicated longtime leader of Southwest Airlines, has died at the age of 79.
Barrett is well known for creating a friendly culture in the Southwest and being an important leader alongside Herb Kelleher in the Southwest. She often cited the “Golden Rule” and wanted us to treat each other the way we would like to be treated by others.
“She has a strong belief in showing love to fellow employees and customers, and is widely recognized as a significant contributor to Southwest Airlines,” the airline said in a statement. “Her fundamental principles have defined Southwest culture for more than half a century since the airline's founding. She lived her life as an example for all to follow.”
Here are five things to know about Barrett's career and accomplishments.
1. She knew Herb Kelleher from the beginning of the Southwest
Barrett and Kelleher knew each other before Southwest Airlines was founded. Barrett was Kelleher's legal secretary in San Antonio. She was known for her attention to detail and effective communication skills, and helped Kelleher draft the concept for the airline.
In 1967, Southwest Airlines was founded as a Texas intrastate airline.
Southwest Airlines Executive Vice President Ron Ricks, Kay Bailey Hutchinson and others stand at Love Field in Dallas, Texas as the Wright Amendment ends and Dallas Love Field begins nonstop flight service. An ovation was given to former CEO Colleen Barrett and Herb Kelleher. .
(Michael Ainsworth – Staff Photographer)
2. She wore many hats on Southwest Airlines.
During his time at Southwest, Mr. Barrett held executive roles in management, planning, and customer service. She was a member of the Board of Directors from 2001 until May 2008 and Company Secretary from March 1978 until May 2008. She also served as vice president of administration from 1986 to 1990, executive vice president of customers, president and chief executive officer from 1990 to 2001. From 2001 to 2004 she served as executive officer and from 2004 to July 2008 she served as president.
She was also active in many civic and philanthropic organizations and served on several business advisory boards and commissions. Ms. Barrett resigned from her position on July 15, 2008.
3. She cared about her employees.
Although Barrett was known for working one-on-one with customers, he also reached out to Southwest employees. She remembered her birthday, sent her heartfelt letters and remembered events in her life. She eventually started a team focused on internal customer care, which she later renamed Coheart Care to support Southwest employees.
In the early 1990s, she created a company-wide culture committee. From her initial membership of 48, the local cultural committees in each city served by Southwest have grown to hundreds of employees. In 2021, this initiative transitioned to the Cultural Ambassador Program.
4. She co-authored a book
Barrett shared her leadership philosophy in “Lead with LUV: A Different Way to Create Success,” co-authored with Ken Blanchard. The book is a conversation between Blanchard and Barrett and is based on her personal experiences with leadership and putting workers first.
She was the highest-ranking woman in civil aviation at the time.
5. She has won many honors for leadership in the aviation industry
Throughout her career, Ms. Barrett has been honored as a strong woman leading the aviation industry.
In 2001, she was named one of America's most influential businesswomen by Fortune magazine. Forbes magazine also named her one of the 100 Most Powerful Women in the World from 2004 to 2007.
In 2008, the national president of the Transportation Workers Union appointed her an honorary life member of the union for fairness to workers.
Most recently, she was inducted into the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame.
