June Carter Cash
Musical Monikers
Madonna
Justin Bieber
My Ghost Story
I Survived
Babe Ruth
Johnny Cash
Georgia O'Keefe
I Survived
1 photo
Quick Facts
- NAME: Herb Kelleher
- OCCUPATION: Entrepreneur
- BIRTH DATE: March 12, 1931 (Age: 82)
- EDUCATION: Wesleyan, New York University
- PLACE OF BIRTH: Camden, New Jersey
- Full Name: Herb D. Kelleher
- ZODIAC SIGN: Pisces
Best Known For
Herb Kelleher is the founder and former CEO of Southwest Airlines, one of the first airlines to offer low-cost fares by eliminating unnecessary services.
Quiz
Think you know about Biography?
Answer questions and see how you rank against other players.
Play NowHerb Kelleher. (2013). The Biography Channel website. Retrieved 08:18, May 24, 2013, from http://www.biography.com/people/herb-kelleher-278970.
Herb Kelleher. [Internet]. 2013. The Biography Channel website. Available from: http://www.biography.com/people/herb-kelleher-278970 [Accessed 24 May 2013].
"Herb Kelleher." 2013. The Biography Channel website. May 24 2013, 08:18 http://www.biography.com/people/herb-kelleher-278970.
"Herb Kelleher," The Biography Channel website, 2013, http://www.biography.com/people/herb-kelleher-278970 [accessed May 24, 2013].
"Herb Kelleher," The Biography Channel website, http://www.biography.com/people/herb-kelleher-278970 (accessed May 24, 2013).
Herb Kelleher [Internet]. The Biography Channel website; 2013 [cited 2013 May 24] Available from: http://www.biography.com/people/herb-kelleher-278970.
Herb Kelleher, http://www.biography.com/people/herb-kelleher-278970 (last visited May 24, 2013).
Herb Kelleher. The Biography Channel website. 2013. Available at: http://www.biography.com/people/herb-kelleher-278970. Accessed May 24, 2013.
Synopsis
Herb Kelleher is the co-founder and former CEO of Southwest, a pioneering airline which eliminated unnecessary services and utilized secondary airports in order to offer low-cost fares. Kelleher started out as a lawyer, but quickly switched to follow his aerial vision. His leadership style has won numerous awards and the hearts and minds of many employees. He stepped down from his position in 2008.
Early Life
Airline executive Herbert D. Kelleher was born on March 12, 1931, in Camden, New Jersey. Herb Kelleher, whose father was the general manager at a Campbell's Soup factory, received his bachelors degree from Wesleyan and his law degree from New York University. He practiced law on the East Coast before relocating to Texas with the intent to start his own law firm.
Professional Career
In 1967, along with one of his legal clients, Herb Kelleher co-founded Southwest Airlines. Their vision for the company was revolutionary at the time: eliminating unnecessary services and utilizing secondary airports in order to offer the lowest fares in the industry. In 1981, Kelleher became president and CEO of company, and his dynamic leadership style has been celebrated both in the press and among the company's employees. Southwest Airlines is the fifth-largest airline in the United States and the only one to turn a profit for 24 consecutive years.
Personal Life
Herb Kelleher married Joan Negley in 1955; they have four children. In 2007, Kelleher announced his decision to step down as chairman and resign from the board of directors. He will remain a full-time employee until 2012.
© 2013 A+E Networks. All rights reserved.
profile name: Herb Kelleher profile occupation:
Your Connections
Sign in with Facebook to see how you and your friends are connected to famous icons.
Profile Connections
Included In These Groups
-
Famous Irish-Americans 80 people in this group
-
Famous Pisceans 523 people in this group
-
Famous Self-Made Millionaires
View groupThe American Dream is the notion that, with hard work, any individual can emerge from poor circumstances to a life of wealth and security. Despite the economic ups and downs of modern times, the notion of lifting one's self up is still ingrained in our mindset. Some of our most famous celebrities are, in fact, people who came from nothing. Talent, hard work, and good fortune aligned to make these individuals successful business leaders, actors, athletes and more.
Famous Self-Made Millionaires 149 people in this group
