Larry Kellner

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Continental Airlines

Larry Kellner is chairman and chief executive officer of Continental Airlines Inc., the world’s fifth largest airline. Kellner joined the airline in 1995 as chief financial officer. In May 2001, he was elected president of the airline and to the Board of Directors, and in March 2003, he was named president and chief operating officer. He became chairman and chief executive officer in December 2004.

Kellner will leave Continental Airlines at the end of 2009 and will head Emerald Creek Group, LLC, a new private investment firm based in Houston.

Kellner has promoted international growth at Continental Airlines and has fostered the company’s unique culture, putting emphasis on strong internal communication and giving employees the tools to provide outstanding customer service.

During Kellner’s 14 years at Continental, the carrier has won more awards for customer satisfaction than any other airline. In 2009, FORTUNE magazine ranked Continental the No. 1 airline on their annual airline industry list of “Most Admired Global Companies” for the sixth consecutive year.

Prior to joining Continental, Kellner was executive vice president and chief financial officer of American Savings Bank, owned by The Robert M. Bass Group. Prior to that, he was executive vice president and chief financial officer of The Koll Company, a private real estate investment and construction firm.

Kellner graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of science in business administration from the University of South Carolina, where he served as Student Body President. In addition, the University of South Carolina presented him with the Distinguished Alumni Award in 1998.

Kellner is active in numerous community and civic organizations. He currently serves on the board of directors for Marriott International and the Air Transport Association. On the civic front, he is a member of the board of directors for the Methodist Hospital, YMCA of Greater Houston, the Greater Houston Partnership, the Spring Branch Education Foundation, and Central Houston, Inc., and is a member of the Boy Scouts of America National Executive Board. Kellner also serves on the advisory boards of the March of Dimes and Teach for America, and is on the development board of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. He resides in Houston with his wife, Susan, and their four children.