Transportation Research Forum Honors Southwest Airlines Founder

Herb Kelleher, founder and executive chairman of Southwest Airlines Co., will receive the President's Award from the Transportation Research Forum at its annual forum in Fort Worth, March 18.

The President's Award recognizes a business person in the transportation field who has made significant contributions to the practice of transportation management. A committee composed of TRF past presidents evaluates nominees based on their contributions to the transportation industry.

Kelleher's company was founded in 1971 with three airplanes in operation and today operates a fleet of 513 airplanes offering 3,300 flights per day. Southwest has been profitable for 34 consecutive years and from 1972-2002 produced the highest return to shareholders of any company in the S&P 500. FORTUNE magazine placed Southwest Airlines as number five on the list of America's Top Ten most admired corporations. Kelleher has been named CEO of the Year and one of history's top three CEOs by Chief Executive magazine. He was named to the National Sales and Marketing Hall of Fame, and received the L. Welch Pogue Award for Lifetime Achievement in Aviation.

Transportation specialists from across the country will meet in Fort Worth March 16-19 to share research and discuss issues facing the nation's transportation system. The 2008 Annual Transportation Research Forum (TRF) at the Hilton Fort Worth will be hosted by the Texas Transportation Institute and sponsored by BNSF Railway. For more information on the program or to register, go to www.trforum.org.

The Transportation Research Forum is one of the nation's oldest transportation organizations. The organization and its annual forum provide an impartial meeting ground for transportation professionals to exchange timely information and ideas.