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Colleen Barrett, ‘Heart and Soul’ of Southwest Air, Dies at 79
- One former airline CEO called her an ‘industry legend’
- Credited with fostering Southwest’s successful culture
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The heart and soul of Southwest Airlines Co. has died.
Colleen Barrett passed away at 79, the carrier said Thursday, after a career that saw her rise from a secretary for the company’s co-founder to the first female president of a major US airline. One of her crowning achievements was being an architect and stalwart of the unique Southwest corporate culture so often linked to its success.