Gordon M. Bethune (born August 1941) is the chairman of the board of Aloha Airgroup, parent company of Aloha Airlines. He was CEO of Continental Airlines from 1994 until his retirement at the end of 2004. From 1996 on he also served as chairman of the board at that airline. He also serves on the boards of Honeywell, Sprint Nextel, Prudential Financial, and the Wills Group. Prior to joining Continental, he was an executive at Boeing. For the movie, see 1941 (film). ... The phrase Chairman of the Board has several meanings: Chairman of the Board is the term used to denote the leader of a corporations board of directors. ... Aloha Airlines (IATA: AQ, ICAO: AAH, and Callsign: Aloha) is an airline headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii USA. It operates extensive scheduled services within the Hawaiian Islands, and between Hawaii and the West Coast of the United States. ... Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is the job of having the ultimate executive responsibility or authority within an organization or corporation. ... Continental Airlines (IATA: CO, ICAO: COA, and Callsign: Continental) (NYSE: CAL) is a certificated air carrier of the United States. ... 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by United Nations. ... Retirement is the point where a person stops employment. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty. ... Honeywell Heating Specialties Company Stock Certificate dated 1924 signed by Mark C. Honeywell - courtesy of Scripophily. ... Sprint Nextel Corporation (NYSE: S) is one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world. ... This article refers to Prudential Financial, based in the United States. ... The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA, TYO: 7661 ) is an aerospace and defense corporation headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. ...

Bethune holds a commercial pilot certificate with type ratings in the Douglas DC-3, Boeing 757, and Boeing 767. Bethune was known for ensuring that he received some time as pilot when taking delivery of a new Continental Airlines Boeing 767 from Boeing and repositioning it from Seattle to Houston. He is also a licensed airframe and powerplant mechanic. The Douglas DC-3 is a fixed-wing, propeller-driven aircraft, which revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s and is generally regarded as one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made (also see Boeing 707 and Boeing 747). ... American Airlines Boeing 757 The Boeing 757 is a medium-range transcontinental commercial passenger aircraft manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. ... The Boeing 767 is a commercial passenger aircraft manufactured by Boeings Commercial Airplane division. ...

Bethune released his book, From Worst to First: Behind the Scenes of Continental's Remarkable Comeback, in 1999.

While at Continental, Mr. Bethune created the Go-Forward plan, to fix the problems with the airline, which included employee moral, the quality of the product, the route structure, among others. He is credited, along with his management team, of saving Continental from extinction.

The son of a crop duster, Bethune holds a science degree from Abilene Christian University and a business management degree from Harvard University. An agricultural aircraft is an aircraft that has been built or converted for agricultural use - usually aerial spraying of pesticides or fertiliser. ... Abilene Christian University (ACU) is a private university located in Abilene, Texas, affiliated with Churches of Christ. ... Harvard University (incorporated as The President and Fellows of Harvard College) , is a private university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. Founded in 1636,[1] Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning still operating in the United States. ...

Bethune was recently honored with the 2006 Lloyd P. Nolen Lifetime Achievement in Aviation Award by the Wings Over Houston Airshow. The award is given to individuals, organizations, or companies those who have dedicated their lives to the advancement of aviation.

Personal

Bethune lives in Houston, Texas. He is separated and has three adult children. Nickname: Space City Location in the state of Texas Coordinates: Country United States State Texas Counties Harris County Fort Bend County Montgomery County Incorporated June 5, 1837  - Mayor Bill White Area    - City  601. ... Official language(s) English (de facto) See also languages of Texas Capital Austin Largest city Houston Area  Ranked 2nd  - Total 268,581 sq mi (695,622 km²)  - Width 773 miles (1,244 km)  - Length 790 miles (1,270 km)  - % water 2. ...

References

• Aloha Airgroup, Inc. (August 30, 2006). Aloha Airgroup Names Gordon Bethune Chairman of the Board. Press release. Retrieved on 2006-08-30.

A news release, press release or press statement is a written or recorded communication directed at members of the news media for the purpose of announcing something claimed as having news value. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... August 30 is the 242nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (243rd in leap years), with 123 days remaining. ...

External links

• PBS: Mastering the Art of Corporate Reinvention
• Gordon Bethune Executive Profile
• Gordon M. Bethune at the Notable Names Database