Smisek to become chairman and CEO of Continental Airlines

Continental Airlines has chosen Jeff Smisek, Continental’s president and chief operating officer and a member of the board of directors, as its chairman and chief executive officer, effective January 1, 2010.

Smisek will succeed Larry Kellner, 50, who has decided to return to private equity.

Kellner would leave at year’s end to head Emerald Creek Group, LLC, a new private investment firm based in Houston. Kellner, 50, has spent 14 years at Continental, including the last five as CEO. Kellner joined Continental in 1995 as chief financial officer. 

Smisek joined the airline in March 1995 as senior vice president and general counsel, and has since held positions of increasing responsibility. He became president in December 2004 and president and chief operating officer in September 2008.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) approved the application for Continental Airlines to join the existing antitrust immunized alliance including United Airlines and eight other Star Alliance member carriers.

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