Oscar Munoz (executive)

Oscar Munoz (born January 1959) is an American businessman. He was named president and chief executive officer (CEO) of United Airlines on September 8, 2015.^[2] At the time of this appointment, Munoz had been serving as a member of the board of directors of parent company United Continental Holdings (UCH) since its formation with the 2010 merger between United and Continental.^[3] Munoz had been a member of Continental's board of directors since 2004.^[3]

In March 2017, Munoz was named "Communicator of the Year for 2017" by PRWeek.^[4] Munoz received widespread criticism for his handling of the issues after a ticketed passenger was forcibly removed from United Airlines Flight 3411.^[5] Subsequently, on April 21, 2017, UCH announced that Munoz would remain chief executive officer of the airlines but would "not take broader control of the company as previously planned."^[6] Munoz had been scheduled to assume the role of chairman of the board of UCH at the company's 2018 annual stockholders' meeting.^[6]

Early life

Munoz was born in January 1959,^[7] the oldest of nine children in a Mexican-American family living in California, and was the first in his family to graduate from college. Munoz earned a BS in business from the University of Southern California, and an MBA from Pepperdine University.^[8]

Career

Munoz was president of CSX Corporation during 2015 and its chief operating officer from 2012 to 2015.^[3][9] From 2001 to 2003, Munoz served as the chief financial officer and vice president of consumer services at AT&T.^[10] Munoz had worked for Coca-Cola Co. and PepsiCo Inc..^[2]

Munoz has twice been named among the "100 Most Influential Hispanics" by Hispanic Business magazine.^[11] In March 2017, he was named “Communicator of the Year for 2017” by PRWeek.^[12]

Response to forcible removal of passenger

On April 9, 2017, United personnel removed four passengers from United Express Flight 3411 to make space for four employees who were deadheading to another flight. Three of the passengers left the airplane without incident, but the fourth, Dr. David Dao, refused to leave the seat he had paid for. Chicago Department of Aviation security officers were called to remove Dao, which they accomplished by first slamming his face into the arm rest and then dragging the injured and bleeding man from the aircraft.^[13][14][15] The following day, an official response from United Airlines, attributed to Munoz, apologized "for having to re-accommodate these customers" without mentioning Dao's injuries.^[16] In an email to United employees, Munoz stated that he stood behind employees for having "followed established procedures" and said that Dao was "disruptive and belligerent".^[13] Videos depicting the incident and Dao's injuries were widely circulated, and United Airline's shares declined.^[17][18] In a second press release on April 11, which was more sensitive to public opinion, Munoz "deeply apologize[d] to the customer forcibly removed and to all other customers aboard."^[19]

Munoz's handling of the incident was described by various critics as a "fumbling response,"^[4][12][20] a "major disappointment,"^[21] and a "sort of a self-immolation [that] makes you wonder about his choice as CEO."^[22] Munoz was already under pressure from activist shareholders to improve United's performance, including its customer relations, after he took charge of the airline in 2015.^[23] However, analysts Wolfe Research and Cowen & Co. remained confident of future performance.^[24]

Health

Munoz suffered a heart attack on October 15, 2015, a month after becoming CEO of United Airlines.^[25] On January 5, 2016, he received a heart transplant and returned to work in March 2016.^[26]

Personal life

Munoz is married to Cathy; they have four children.^[27]

References