A look at Continental CEO Jeff Smisek

Continental CEO at a glance

CONTINENTAL AIRLINE INC. Chairman and CEO Jeffery A. Smisek:

AGE — 55.

CAREER — Smisek joined Continental in 1995 as general counsel. He became president and won a spot on the board in 2004. He was named chief operating officer in 2008 and became chairman and chief executive on Jan. 1 of this year after Lawrence Kellner resigned to join a private equity firm. Smisek was previously a partner at the Houston law firm of Vinson & Elkins.

FAMILY — Married, two children.

EDUCATION — Bachelor’s degree in economics from Princeton University; law degree from Harvard.