Just three months after being passed over for the top job, Southwest Airlines President Tom Nealon has unexpectedly retired.
In June, Southwest CEO Gary Kelly said he'd retire early in the new year. Many observers thought Nealon was an obvious choice to take over from Kelly.
But instead, the top job went to another Southwest executive, Bob Jordan.
With Nealon departing immediately, Chief Operating Officer Mike Van de Ven is being promoted to President of the Dallas-based airline.
