Jeff Smisek

Jeffery Alan "Jeff" Smisek (born 17 August 1954) is an American businessman, who was the chairman, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Continental Airlines from January 1, 2010 until the merger with United Airlines in October 2010. Following the merger of United Continental Jeff became the new chairman, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of United Airlines until his resignation on September 8, 2015.

Smisek was born into a Jewish family in 1954, and graduated from Princeton University, AB summa cum laude in Economics, in 1976. He matriculated at Harvard Law School and obtained a JD magna cum laude, in 1982.

Prior to his role at United, Smisek was chairman, president and CEO of Continental Airlines, which merged with United in 2010. Previously a partner at the law firm of Vinson & Elkins, Smisek joined Continental in 1995 as senior vice president and general counsel. In 2004, he became president and was elected to the company's board of directors. He became chief operating officer in September 2008. In 2014 Smisek was elected Chairman of the Board of Airlines for America. Smisek serves on the board of directors of National Oilwell Varco, Inc. and the board of trustees of Rice University. In addition, he serves on the board of governors of the International Air Transport Association.

In 2013 and 2014, Smisek was criticized for United's poor customer service and employee dissatisfaction, problems with the integration of Continental and severe quarterly losses of $609 million. There was also a reduction of the performance-based part of Smisek's pay from $3.5 million to $1.25 million.

Following a strategy of cost cuts, share buybacks and conservative expansion of capacities, one commentator concluded that Smisek had regained the trust of Wall Street analysts by late 2014.

Resignation

Smisek resigned from his positions as chairman, president, and CEO at United on September 8, 2015 due to accusations of attempts to influence officials at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. This came after a government probe in February 2015, which caused United to start an internal investigation.

United Airlines had an uneconomic twice-weekly flight from Newark to Columbia, South Carolina known as "chairman’s flight" during the Port Authority chairmanship of David Samson, who has a vacation home there. Smisek left United Airlines with a severance payment worth at least $8.4 million, according to regulatory filings. The total amount, later determined to be $28.8 million, was conditional on Smisek cooperating with United in criminal investigations and could be recouped by United were Smisek to be convicted of any crimes. Oscar Munoz replaced Smisek as United CEO.

Smisek was named Aviation Week's Person of the Year for 2010.

Smisek is married and has two children.