Derek Kerr

Former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, American Airlines

Derek Kerr recently retired as the executive vice president and chief financial officer of American Airlines. He oversaw financial planning and analysis, corporate finance and treasury functions, purchasing, controller and audit functions, and investor relations.

Previously, Kerr served as executive vice president and chief financial officer for US Airways. Prior to that, he was senior vice president and chief financial officer. He joined America West in 1996 as senior director – Planning, and was promoted to vice president – Financial Planning and Analysis in 1998. In 2002, Kerr was promoted to senior vice president – Finance, adding responsibility for purchasing and fuel administration. He was elected senior vice president and chief financial officer in 2002 and was promoted to executive vice president and chief financial officer in 2009.

Prior to joining America West, Kerr served in various financial planning and analysis positions with Northwest Airlines. Before that, Kerr was a flight test coordinator/control engineer with Northrop Corporation’s B-2 Division.

In 2013, Institutional Investor ranked US Airways as one of America’s Most Honored Companies, naming Kerr and his Investor Relations department to the 2013 All-America Executive Team. He serves on the board of directors for the University of Michigan and the Dallas Regional Chamber, and is a member of the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics. He is also a national trustee for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Kerr has a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering and an Master of Business Administration degree in finance from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.