Advisory Council: James F. Parker

Jim Parker is the former CEO and vice chairman of the board of directors of Southwest Airlines. During his tenure, Fortune magazine named Southwest one of the three most admired companies in America three years running.

Parker was named Morningstar.com's Co-CEO of the Year in 2001 and Dallas Business Journal's Co-Business Person of the Year in 2002. In 2004, Parker made Institutional Investor's list of the best CEOs in America.

At MIT, Parker teaches Sloan Innovation Period courses in front-line leadership and how to prepare for security threats.

Prior to joining Southwest, Parker worked as an attorney with the San Antonio law firm of Oppenheimer, Rosenberg, Kelleher & Wheatley. He also served as assistant attorney general of Texas.

Parker is a member of the board of directors of Texas Roadhouse Inc., a casual dining company.

He received his BA from the University of Texas at Austin and his JD from the University of Texas Law School.