As Herb Kelleher prepared to relinquish his role as Southwest’s CEO, a major concern for investors was whether the company’s success could be maintained because so much of Southwest’s success was attributable to Kelleher’s unique management and leadership styles. Recent events, however, seem to demonstrate that Kelleher’s successors longtime Southwest employees Jim Parker (currently Vice Chairman of the Board and CEO) and Colleen Barrett (currently President and COO) were well-prepared to handle the challenges of maintaining Southwest’s culture and success. As Colleen Barrett wrote in a recent issue of the company’s Spirit Magazine: “Air travel changed forever two years ago, but our steadfast determination remains unbroken to provide the high-spirited Customer Service, low fares, and frequent nonstop flights that Americans want and need.” (12) Not even terrorist attacks can derail the company that Herb Kelleher led to success. Southwest Airlines continues to be recognized by Fortune magazine as America’s most admired airlines as well as one of the most admired companies in America. In 2003 Air Transport World magazine selected Southwest as the ‘Airline for the Year.” The reasoning: 30 consecutive years of profitability, while providing affordable fares for millions of passengers. Other recognitions of Southwest culture and success continue to pile up. (13)