Continental Airlines elects Jeff Smisek to Board of Directors

Continental Airlines has elected Jeff Smisek, executive vice president and president-elect to its board of directors. Smisek will join the board upon the retirement of Gordon Bethune, current chairman and chief executive officer, filling the vacancy on the board created by Bethune’s resignation as a board member, expected to occur Dec. 30, 2004. In addition, Smisek will serve on the board’s finance committee.

“Jeff has played an important role in Continental’s success over the past ten years,” said Gordon Bethune. “As a proven leader at Continental, Jeff will be a valuable addition to our board of directors.”

Smisek will become president of Continental when Chairman and CEO Gordon Bethune retires and President and Chief Operating Officer Larry Kellner becomes chairman and CEO.

Smisek joined Continental in early 1995 as senior vice president and general counsel and has assumed increasing responsibilities over his career at Continental. He graduated from Princeton University, A.B. summa cum laude in economics, in 1976, and Harvard Law School, J.D. magna cum laude, in 1982. He also serves on the board of directors of Varco International Inc., where he is chairman of the corporate governance committee.

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