Delta on Thursday announced plans to reshuffle its top ranks, with a new president in line to succeed Glen Hauenstein and a longtime operations executive set to retire after 32 years.
In a statement, CEO Ed Bastian said Peter Carter has been promoted to president. Carter will step into an expanded role, with responsibility for enterprise strategy in addition to global policy and legal matters, Delta’s international portfolio, real estate, and sustainability and diversity teams.
According to his company biography, Carter is currently chief external affairs officer.
Delta announced Hauenstein’s retirement in December, and he left the airline last month.
Longtime operations head John Laughter is set to retire effective April 30, Bastian announced. Laughter has worked for Delta for 32 years and serves as executive vice president, chief operating officer, and president of Delta TechOps.
Bastian credited Laughter with leading Delta’s teams “through some of the most challenging and exciting times in our history.”
“John has always been known as a servant leader and advocate for Delta’s people-focused culture,” he said. “I want to personally thank John for all he has done to serve our employees, our customers, and our communities during his tenure at Delta.”
CFO Dan Janki has been selected to succeed Laughter as chief operating officer, while Alain Bellemare, executive vice president and president of international, will take on the additional role of chairman of Delta TechOps.
Erik Snell, who most recently served as chief customer experience officer, has been appointed CFO.
Chief Marketing Officer Alicia Tillman is departing the company and will be replaced by Ranjan Goswami.
In his remarks, Bastian said the leadership changes “demonstrate Delta’s deep bench of talent and commitment to developing and uplifting the leaders who will shape Delta’s journey for years to come.”
