Date of Birth: August 29, 1941
Zodiac Sign: Virgo
Biography
Gordon M. Bethune is a prominent American businessman best known for his role as the CEO of Continental Airlines. Born in 1941 in San Antonio, Texas, Bethune’s career began in the United States Navy, where he worked as an aircraft mechanic. After his military service, he pursued a career in the aviation industry, starting with Braniff International Airways and later moving to Boeing. In 1994, he became the CEO of Continental Airlines, which was struggling at the time. Under his leadership, Continental went from being ranked last among major U.S. airlines to winning several awards for customer satisfaction and operational performance. Bethune’s transformative leadership style and innovative management techniques are credited with turning around the airline’s fortunes. He authored a book titled “From Worst to First,” chronicling his experiences at Continental. Bethune retired in 2004 but remains an influential figure in the aviation and business communities.
5 Interesting Facts about Gordon Bethune
1. Gordon Bethune served in the U.S. Navy for over 20 years, beginning as an aircraft mechanic and rising to the rank of Lieutenant.
2. He joined Continental Airlines as COO in 1994 and was promoted to CEO within months.
3. Under his leadership, Continental Airlines won the J.D. Power and Associates award for Customer Satisfaction from 1996 to 2001.
4. Bethune was inducted into the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame in 2003.
5. He co-authored the book “From Worst to First,” which is often cited in business courses and leadership seminars.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Gordon Bethune
1. “You can make a pizza so cheap, nobody will eat it. You can make an airline so cheap, nobody will fly it.”
2. “It’s important to have fun. In any job, you need to enjoy what you’re doing.”
3. “The secret to success is good leadership, and good leadership is all about making the lives of your team members better.”
4. “You manage things; you lead people.”
5. “You can’t fake passion.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Gordon Bethune’s net worth was estimated to be around $50 million.
Children
Gordon Bethune has two children from his first marriage, a son named Scott Bethune and a daughter named Kelly Bethune.
Relevant Links
1. [Gordon Bethune on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordon_Bethune
2. [Gordon Bethune’s profile on Forbes](https://www.forbes.com/profile/gordon-bethune/
4. [“From Worst to First” on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Worst-First-Gordon-Bethune/dp/0471356522
