Bob Waltz

Bob Waltz is the current Vice President of Flight Operations at Southwest Airlines. Bob has over 35 years of experience as a pilot, including 11,500 total flight hours and 3,500 hours as a senior pilot. Bob has flown a variety of aircraft, including the C-130E/H2, T-43, C-21, T-1, T-37, T-38, and C-182RG. Bob has also served as the Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer to TX for the National Security Emergency Preparedness Directorate, First Air Force. In this role, they coordinated federal military assistance with state officials, federal agencies and other DoD entities. Bob Waltz is a graduate of the Air Force Academy and has a master's degree in aeronautical engineering from Florida State University.

Bob Waltz has a PhD in Aeronautical Science / SMS from the University of North Dakota, a Master of Science (MS) in Educational Psychology / Experimental Design from Florida State University, and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Human Factors Engineering from the United States Air Force Academy.

They are on a team with Alfred Smith - SVP, Operations, Scott Halfmann - VP, Safety & Security, and Landon Nitschke - SVP, Technical Operations. Their manager is Michael G. Van de Ven, President.