Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) today announced the promotion of Ryan Martinez to Managing Director Investor Relations, effective Sept. 11. Martinez began his Southwest career in Investor Relations in 2006, where he spent seven years. Since that time, he has held many leadership roles within the Finance Department, most recently as a Senior Director in Corporate Planning and Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A).

"Ryan has been a tremendous Leader in our Finance Department for more than a decade, and his servant Leadership-style has been instrumental in strengthening relationships both internally and externally," said Southwest's Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Tammy Romo. "I'm so incredibly proud of our world-class Investor Relations Team, and we're fortunate to have a Leader of Ryan's caliber to step into this leadership role."

Martinez will fill the role currently held by Marcy Brand, who has chosen to assume a different Leadership role in the Finance Department. Martinez has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance from Louisiana State University in Shreveport and is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Texas.

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In its 47th year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other air carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by more than 55,000 Employees to more than 100 million Customers annually. Southwest proudly operates a network of 101 destinations in the United States and nine additional countries with more than 4,000 departures a day during peak travel season. Service to Turks and Caicos is expected to begin Nov. 5, 2017, subject to requisite government approvals. On Sept. 5, 2017, Southwest will cease service to Varadero and Santa Clara to concentrate its future Cuba service in Havana.