Each day, American Airlines' 80,000 employees make sure more than 5,000 flights leave on time and arrive safely, on time, at their destinations. Monte Ford, vice president and CIO of American Airlines, doesn't mince word when he says his IT organization is a front runner, keeping pace with the highly competitive and dynamic airline industry.

Since joining American Airlines in 2001, Ford has rebuilt the company's IT organization, consolidating more than 40 disparate IT groups that developed throughout the airline. Today, the IT organization consists of about 1,000 employees and about 300 contractors. Each American Airlines business unit has a dedicated team of IT professionals that reports directly to the IT organization and has a dotted line to the respective business unit.

Bio

Since 2001, Monte Ford has been senior vice president and chief information officer at American Airlines, one of the largest airline carriers in the world. He oversees more than 1,000 employees and about 300 contractors. After American Airlines acquired TWA in 2001, Ford spearheaded the integration of the two companies' backend systems, and consolidated more than 40 disparate IT groups.

Prior to joining American Airlines, Ford headed the IT services at The Associates First Capital Corporation, where he served as executive vice president and CIO. During his six-year stint with The Associates, Ford led the company through many mergers and acquisitions, including its integration with Citigroup in 2000. Prior to joining The Associates, Ford served as senior vice president of technology at Bank of Boston, currently Fleet Bank. He is a graduate of Northeastern University in Boston.

Resources

Good Partners Make  Good Sense

American's  Recovery Flight Plan

American  Airlines: Hitting Turbulence

Production Credits

Elizabeth Ferrarini, Producer
Dana Farver, Executive  Producer, Communities Editor-in-Chief
Tom Parish, Audio Producer, Show  Host