John W. Dietrich, former executive vice president and CFO of FedEx, will join American Airlines’ board of directors, the carrier announced Wednesday.
Dietrich stepped down from his dual roles at FedEx in June and will officially depart the company on July 31. He is expected to serve on American’s Audit Committee and Finance Committee.
“John possesses a distinguished professional background and a proven track record over his 35 years of aerospace leadership,” American Chairman Greg Smith said in a statement. “His extensive experience – coupled with his reputation and success in managing complex, capital-intensive operations as well as his insights into financial discipline, risk management, and governance – will significantly enhance the board’s capabilities as we prioritize long-term performance and shareholder value.”
Prior to joining FedEx in 2023, Dietrich worked for over 20 years at cargo airline Atlas Air. He held numerous senior leadership positions at Atlas, including CEO, president, board member, chief of operations, and, earlier in his career, general counsel. He also worked for over a decade at United, the majority of the time as an attorney.
Dietrich currently serves as chairman of the National Defense Transportation Association and on the boards of AAR Corporation and First Horizon Corporation. He is also a former member and chairman of the National Air Carrier Association and a former member of the International Air Transport Association’s board of governors.
