United Continental Holdings CEO Jeff Smisek and his PR co-pilots quit in wake of a federal probe into whether the Chicago carrier improperly attempted to influence officials at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
Nene Foxhall, executive VP for communications/government affairs, and Mark Anderson, senior VP/corporate & government affairs, also strap on parachutes..
“The departures announced today are in connection with the company’s previously disclosed internal investigation related to the federal investigation associated with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey,” United said in a statement. “The investigations are ongoing and the company continues to cooperate with the government.”
United named Oscar Munoz, board member and former CSX Corp. COO, as chief.
He's a veteran of AT&T, Coca-Cola and PepsiCo.
The Port Authority runs Newark Liberty International Airport, which is one of United's biggest hubs.
Business leaders will face challenges in the upcoming year, some of which will come as a complete surprise, or beyond anyone's imagination.
Teneo has hired Philipp Grontzki, who is a 20-year veteran of corporate communications and financial journalism, as a managing director in its strategy and communications group.
Rowan Benecke, who co-founded Zeno Group and helmed Burson-Marsteller's tech practice, has joined McKinsey & Co as director of communications for North America.
BCW has named Golin's Matt Coldagelli EVP and leader of its corporate affairs practice in Chicago.
Abby Bailey, who headed corporate communications for Fedex in its Middle East, India and Africa region, has joined Teneo as managing director in Dubai.
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