Industry & Services >> CEO Interviews >> May 7, 2001
WILLIAM A. FRANKE has served as Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer of America West Holdings Corporation since the holding
company was formed on January 1, 1997. In this capacity, he oversees the
holding company's two wholly owned subsidiaries, America West Airlines
and The Leisure Company. Mr. Franke joined America West Airlines in
September 1992 as Chairman of the Board and in 1993 was elected Chief
Executive Officer. He also has served as Chairman of the Board of The
Leisure Company since its founding in 1997. Mr. Franke is currently a
Director of Phelps Dodge Corporation, ON Semiconductor and the Air
Transport Association (ATA). Mr. Franke has served on the Boards of many
Arizona civic and philanthropic organizations. A native of Bryan, Texas,
Mr. Franke was raised in South America and later received his BA (1959)
and LLB (1961) degrees from Stanford University. From 1961 to 1963, Mr.
Franke served in U.S. Army Intelligence, attaining the rank of Captain. Profile
W. DOUGLAS PARKER was elected Executive Vice President, America West
Holdings Corporation in April 1999. In March 2000, he was named
President and Chief Executive Officer of The Leisure Company. He was
named President of America West Airlines in May 2000. Mr. Parker is also
a member of the Board of Directors of The Holdings Corporation and its
two primary subsidiaries, America West Airlines and The Leisure Company.
As President of the airline, Mr. Parker's responsibilities include
maintenance and engineering, flight, in-flight and airport operations,
sales and marketing, customer service, airline planning and revenue
management and corporate safety. Mr. Parker joined America West in June
1995 as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. His
responsibilities were expanded in September 1997 to include schedule
planning and revenue management. In April 1999, he was named Executive
Vice President, Corporate Group, at which time his responsibilities
included finance, planning and revenue management, sales and marketing,
information systems and corporate affairs divisions. Prior to joining
America West, Mr. Parker spent four years with Northwest Airlines,
including positions as Vice President, Assistant Treasurer and Vice
President, Financial Planning and Analysis. From 1986 to 1991, he was
with American Airlines in various financial management positions. Mr.
Parker received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Albion
College in 1984 and an MBA from Vanderbilt University in 1986. Profile
Holdings Corp. and an overview of the company as it is now?
Mr. Franke: I've been here for almost nine years and have
