In Surprise Move, Delta Air Lines Chairman Resigns Effective Immediately
Skift Take
Richard Anderson just took over as executive chairman in May, so this news comes as a major surprise. Perhaps we'll learn more soon about why he decided to step down. Regardless, he leaves an impressive legacy at Delta.
Richard Anderson, who as Delta Air Lines CEO turned the once-laggard into one of the most consistently profitable U.S. carriers before stepping down in May, retired on Tuesday as the company's executive chairman, effective immediately.
The move, announced after stock markets closed, came as a surprise, considering how little time Anderson spent as board chair. Anderson had been a board member since 2007, but did not become chairman until this spring when Ed Bastian replaced him as CEO. In a short announcement, Delta did not say why Anderson, 61, was leaving so abruptly.
The board named Francis S. “Frank” Blake, Delta's lead outside director since May, as non-executive chairman. Blake, the former Chairman and CEO of The Home Depot, has been on Delta's board since 2014.
While serving as Delta's CEO, Anderson was revered by many employees, who respe
