Delta Air Lines unveiled a significant reworking of its executive team, elevating Finance Chief Dan Janki to chief operating officer and promoting Peter Carter to president, with the changes scheduled to become effective on April 1.
The adjustments come as John Laughter, who directs Delta's daily operations and oversees the TechOps maintenance division, prepares for retirement. Laughter will continue with the company through April 30 while the airline transitions responsibilities.
Scope of responsibilities
In his new capacity as COO, Janki will assume leadership of principal operational functions, including flight operations, in-flight service, reservations, customer care, and safety and security. Delta said Erik Snell, who currently serves as chief customer experience officer, will succeed Janki as chief financial officer.
Carter's promotion to president expands his remit to include enterprise strategy in addition to his existing oversight of global policy and legal matters, Delta's international portfolio, real estate, and the company's sustainability and diversity teams.
Additional executive moves
- Alain Bellemare will take on the role of chairman of Delta TechOps.
- Chief Marketing Officer Alicia Tillman is departing the company.
- Ranjan Goswami will step into an expanded position as chief marketing and product officer.
Delta Chief Executive Officer Ed Bastian characterized the reorganization as evidence of the airline's management depth and of its efforts to cultivate leaders who will guide the carrier going forward.
The leadership changes follow other recent turnover at the top of Delta's management team. The company last month saw the retirement of President Glen Hauenstein, who had been central to its premium-focused commercial strategy.
Bastian has publicly stated that he has no plans to retire and intends to remain at Delta for the foreseeable future.
What the company disclosed about Laughter's tenure
Delta noted that Laughter played a leading role in rebuilding the TechOps business following the carrier's 2005 bankruptcy, managed TechOps' integration with Northwest Airlines, and guided the airline's operations through the COVID-19 crisis. The company will retain Laughter until the end of April to support the transition.
The company did not provide additional detail in its announcement about timing for any further leadership adjustments beyond those named, or about succession planning beyond the specific appointments disclosed.