10 Southwest Airlines regional operations leaders
Sr. Director - Ground Operations, Managing Director International Airport Operations and Eastern Region Director are among the current titles held by these ten Southwest Airlines regional operations leaders. A reader can learn how regional operations leaders run their areas at Southwest Airlines from people who have held the role.
Professionals to explore
Adam Westermajer
LinkedInExperience: Regional Director · Southwest Airlines
Adam Westermajer has been Regional Director at Southwest Airlines since April 2022, a role the profile places in Denver, Colorado, at director level in general management. The listing also shows Adam Westermajer as General Manager at Southwest Airlines from 2000 to 2022.
Brian Fairbanks
LinkedInExperience: Regional Director · Southwest Airlines
Brian Fairbanks has been Regional Director at Southwest Airlines since October 2022, based in the New Port Richey, Florida area. At Southwest Airlines, Brian Fairbanks was also General Manager (2021–2022) and Station Manager (2001–2021), and the listing shows a ground operations role there from 1990.
Debbie Ripa
LinkedInExperience: San Diego Regional Director · Southwest Airlines
Debbie Ripa has been San Diego Regional Director at Southwest Airlines since September 2023, and the profile headline reads SAN Regional Director at Southwest Airlines. At Southwest Airlines, Debbie Ripa was also General Manager (2019–2024) and Station Manager (2012–2019).
George Tompkins
LinkedInExperience: Eastern Region Director · Southwest Airlines
George Tompkins has been Eastern Region Director at Southwest Airlines since April 2013, based in Dallas. At Southwest Airlines, George Tompkins was also Director Employee Resources and Labor Relations (2007–2013), Base MGR (2006–2007) and Night Manager (2003–2006).
Jeremy King
LinkedInExperience: Sr. Director - Ground Operations · Southwest Airlines
Jeremy King has been Sr. Director - Ground Operations at Southwest Airlines since December 2021, and the profile headline reads Managing Director, Ground Operations - West Region. At Southwest Airlines, Jeremy King was also Station Director (2011–2022) and Station Manager San Jose California (2009–2011).
Sergio Hurtado
LinkedInExperience: Managing Director International Airport Operations · Southwest Airlines
Sergio Hurtado has been Managing Director International Airport Operations at Southwest Airlines since November 2021, based in Dallas. At Southwest Airlines, Sergio Hurtado was also Senior Director Airport Operations for the Florida & International Regions (2019–2021) and Senior Director International Airport Operations (2014–2019).
Steve Bernhardt
LinkedInExperience: LAX Region Station Director · Southwest Airlines
Steve Bernhardt has been LAX Region Station Director at Southwest Airlines since September 2022, and the profile describes taking responsibility for the ground operation and making sure company standards and operational targets are met. Steve Bernhardt was also General Manager (2019–2022) and Station Manager (2007–2019) at Southwest Airlines.
Tom L.
LinkedInExperience: Station Director NE Region · Southwest Airlines
Tom L. has been Station Director NE Region at Southwest Airlines since May 2023, and the profile headline reads Ground Operations Regional Director Northeast. At Southwest Airlines, Tom L. was also Station Manager (2021–2023), ASM Ramp Denver Station (2020–2021) and Station Manager MHT/PWM (2007–2020).
Tom Starr
LinkedInExperience: Station Director Las Vegas Region · Southwest Airlines
Tom Starr has been Station Director Las Vegas Region at Southwest Airlines since April 2023, and the profile headline reads Director Ground Operations - Las Vegas Region. At Southwest Airlines, Tom Starr was also Station Director Florida Region (2021–2023), General Manager DEN (2019–2021) and General Manager SAN (2015–2019).
Willie Edwards
LinkedInExperience: Former Senior Director, Regional Airport Operations · Southwest Airlines
Willie Edwards is a former Senior Director, Regional Airport Operations at Southwest Airlines (2005–2008), and the profile says that role directed airport operations for eight locations in the U.S. Willie Edwards was also Regional Director, Airport Operations (1995–2005) and Director of Human Resources (1993–1995) at Southwest Airlines.
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's region and the stations they cover to your question, since a large hub region, an international region and a group of smaller stations each run differently. Weigh how recently each person held the role, since priorities in the role can change from one period to the next.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01What did you focus on first when you took over ground operations for your region?
- 02How do you split your own time across the stations you are responsible for?
- 03Which experience from your station roles shaped how you lead a region today?
Reaching Southwest Airlines regional operations leaders
How can I contact one of these Southwest Airlines regional operations leaders?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 1 company: Southwest Airlines, based on profile data retrieved on October 23, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach Southwest Airlines regional operations leaders?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. The offer is what the person receives, and Instant Expert's fee is added on top, so a $100 offer costs you $125. The fee is 20% of what you pay. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
Can an AI agent ask one of these Southwest Airlines regional operations leaders a question?
Yes. An agent with a USDC wallet on Base can ask one question without an Instant Expert account. It names the person, for example by the LinkedIn URL on this page, and pays per ask over x402 (HTTP 402). The person answers in writing or by voice note, and if nobody answers within 7 days, the payment goes back to the wallet automatically. Claude and ChatGPT can do the same through the Instant Expert connector: setup is at /docs/mcp for Claude and /docs/chatgpt for ChatGPT. x402 docs
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot; roles marked former had ended by then. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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