When Delta and Northwest Merge, Anderson Becomes CEO and Steenland Gets Generous Exit Deal

(NewsVisual, powered by IntellectSpace )-- Despite the latest union-related hurdle in the merge between Delta Air Lines Inc (NYSE: DAL) and Northwest Airlines Corp (NYSE: NWA), the deal appears to be well on its way to approval.

In the event that the merger goes through, Richard Anderson, Delta’s current CEO, will likely become the head of the combined airline, instead of Northwest CEO Douglas Steenland.

As illustrated in this IntellectSpace Knowledge Map, Anderson would be the clear choice to lead operations after the merger, given the fact that he previously served as Northwest’s CEO. His experience at both airlines will likely do well to facilitate the transition once a deal is finalized.

Steenland’s role after in the event of a merger remains up in the air at this point, though there is no doubt that he will make out quite handsomely if he loses his CEO role. A severance package worth almost $8 million awaits Steenland in the event of his departure from Northwest. Other perks include a lifetime of free air travel for Steeland and his family.

Though Steenland may be losing the prestige of being Northwest’s CEO, his healthy severance package could mean a career change into early retirement.

Readers, who do you think is the better choice to lead the combined company if Delta and Northwest merge, Anderson or Steenland?

Click here or copy this link into your Internet Explorer browser for an interactive version of this IntellectSpace Knowledge Map: http://nv.intellectspace.com/ispace/GuestMonitor.aspx?id=bc2ba3f3-5589-466a-9413-9bf575f66288

See article edited by Andrew Ross Sorkin from The New York Times DealBook