Ryan Green, Southwest Airlines’ transformation chief, will resign

Months after reaching a deal with activist investor Elliott Investment Management, Southwest Airlines (LUV.N) announced on Wednesday that Ryan Green, its chief transformation officer, would be leaving his position.

Additionally, the cooperation agreement between Elliott and the Dallas-based low-cost airline was modified, increasing the investor’s maximum permitted interest from 14.9% to 19.9%.

Green, who oversaw the airline’s transformation strategy, which included switching to allocated and premium seating, will leave his role on April 1, 2025, the business announced in a filing.

His resignation comes days after the airline announced that it would eliminate 1,750 positions, or 15% of corporate staff, in an effort to cut expenses and simplify its organizational structure.

In an effort to hold Southwest CEO Bob Jordan and Chairman Garry Kelly accountable for the airline’s poor performance, Elliott had spent months calling for a board reorganization and their dismissal.

With more significant board-level compromises, Jordan was able to keep his position when Southwest and Elliott concluded their heated months-long boardroom struggle in October. Kelly’s retirement was accelerated by several months as a result of the transaction.